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Steamed Crystal Dumpling Cups

No folding, no pleating. Silky, juicy, and beautifully translucent, this might just be the easiest party dumpling you’ll ever make.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For the filling
  • 250 g minced pork
  • 3 slices ginger
  • 2 stalks spring onion top half finely chopped - bottom 6 inches left whole
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp white pepper powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 1 tsp chicken powder
  • 1 tbsp premium oyster sauce
For the dressing
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp light soy sauce
  • ½ tbsp sesame oil
  • 1½ tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Others
  • 4-5 Crystal dumpling wrappers
  • 5-6 Ginger strips & fresh coriander for garnish

Method
 

Step 1: Make the ginger–scallion water
  1. Add the 3 slices of ginger and the bottom 6 inches of spring onion (chopped) to a bowl.
  2. Pour in 150g warm water and allow it to infuse.
Step 2: Mix the filling
  1. In a bowl, add the minced pork, grated ginger, minced garlic, chopped green part of the spring onion, white pepper, salt and sugar. Mix well.
  2. Add the Shaoxing cooking wine, chicken powder, oyster sauce and all of the ginger–scallion water.
  3. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes sticky - this is the secret to juicy crystal dumpling cups.
Step 3: Assemble
  1. Add 2 tablespoons of filling into the bottom of each steam-safe cup.
  2. Place 1 crystal dumpling wrapper on top.
  3. Repeat for all cups.
Step 4: Steam
  1. Steam for 15 minutes, until the filling is fully cooked and the wrapper turns beautifully translucent.
Step 5: Make the dressing
  1. Combine the rice vinegar, light soy sauce, sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds in a small bowl.
Step 6: Finish & serve
  1. Spoon 1 tablespoon of dressing over each dumpling cup.
  2. Garnish with ginger strips and fresh coriander.
  3. Serve immediately - and enjoy the compliments.

Video

Notes

  • Stirring the filling until sticky helps it retain moisture during steaming.
  • Use clear, heatproof glass or ceramic cups to show off the translucent wrapper.
  • These can be steamed ahead and reheated gently — perfect for entertaining.
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