Shumai 烧卖

Next is the folding and cooking of the dumpling. The shumai’s unique shape and folding enables them to hold more filling than dumplings of the same size (Nguyen 77). The steamer typically used would be the Chinese bamboo steamer (depicted at the end) that is incredibly efficient at retaining humidity.

1. Place a wrapper on palm and loosely cup.
2. Add one tablespoon of filling to the center of the wrapper.
3. With the other hand, gather the sides of the wrapper around filling, letting the wrapper “pleat,” or fold, naturally leaving the top open.
4. Squeeze the middle gently to make sure the wrapper fits firmly and to give it a “wasp-waisted” appearance.
5. Tap lightly to flatten the bottom so it can easily stand upright