Siomai made of ground pork, shrimp, and shitake mushrooms are tasty and filling. These steamed dumplings make a great appetizer, snack or main meal!
This siomai recipe was first published in 2013 and needed a little refresh, so I thought I’ll put on my dumpling-making hat today and take new pictures as well as add cooking tips.
But although it took me five years and a day to finally revamp the post, I do make these steamed dumplings on a regular basis. They’re one of the make-ahead meals I like to stock up for busy weeknight dinners, midday snacks or impromptu parties.
I usually prep and steam a few dozens every week or so, and then freeze them in airtight containers. On days when I am too busy to cook or just want a quick dim sum fix, I pop a few pieces in the microwave for a few seconds or steam them for a few minutes to warm up.
Tips On How to Make Siomai
- The recipe below uses a combination of ground pork and minced shrimp but you can easily swap the pork with ground chicken or the shrimp with crab meat or squid. You can also omit the seafood, if you prefer, and use all meat.
- I like to add chopped shitake mushrooms for extra flavor and texture. You can include finely shredded napa cabbage to add bulk or green onions to boost color.
- Grate the fresh ginger and press to extract juice; this way, you reap the flavor without any bits to bite into.
- The addition of cornstarch not only serves as a binder but also acts as a tenderizer, keeping the pork moist and juicy.
- Buy round shumai wrappers instead of the square as they wrap around the meat more snugly. If you can’t find them, use the mouth of a drinking glass as a stencil and cut the wrappers into circles.
- If using a metal steamer, line the steamer basket with steaming paper or lightly grease with cooking spray prevent the siomai from sticking.
How to Freeze Shumai Dumplings
Although you can freeze the shumai uncooked, I prefer to store them already steamed so they’re ready to serve after a quick reheating in the microwave or in the steamer.
Arrange the dumplings in a single layer about an inch apart on a baking sheet and freeze until solid before transferring into airtight containers so they don’t stick together when frozen. They should keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Pork Suimai
- In the microwave, place a few pieces of dumplings on a shallow plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave at medium-power for about 20 to 30 seconds or until heated through.
- In the steamer, arrange in a single layer on a steamer basket, cover with the lid, and steam for about 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.
- In a skillet, place the dumplings in a single layer, add about 2 tablespoons of water, cover the pan with lid, and steam for about 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.
How to Serve Pork Siomai
- Delicious as an appetizer or snack with a calamansi or lemon and chili garlic dipping sauce!
- Serve for breakfast along with other dim sum favorites.
- Add to meat broths to make a filling soup.
- Use in pancit or noodle and vegetable stir-fries.
More Dim Sum Recipes
Siomai
Ingredients
- 6 medium dried shitake mushrooms
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/4 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined and finely chopped
- 1 thumb-size ginger, peeled, grated, and juice extracted
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 package (30 pieces) shumai wrappers
Dipping Sauce
- calamansi or lemon juice to taste
- soy sauce to taste
- chili garlic to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl with warm water, soak shitake mushrooms until softened. Using hands, squeeze liquid and then mince.
- In a bowl, combine ground pork, shrimp, mushroom, ginger juice, soy sauce, salt, sugar, and pepper until well-distributed.
- In a bowl, combine corn starch and water, Stir until cornstarch is dissolved and add to pork mixture.
- Mix pork mixture until very sticky.
- Separate wrappers into individual sheets. Spoon a heaping tablespoonful of meat mixture on the middle of the wrapper and then gather sides to form a "cup" around the filling. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Arrange siomai in a single layer about 1/4-inch apart on steamer basket and steam for about 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through. Gently remove from steamer and serve hot with dipping sauce.
Dipping sauce
- In a small bowl,combine calamansi juice, soy sauce and chili garlic sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi can i use fish as an alternative to pork / beef?
I’ve never tried fish in this recipe so I am not sure how it would work. I suppose you can run the fish fillet in a food processor until coarsely chopped and then proceed with the recipe.
paano po maiwasng magloosen ung wrapper?? gumawa ako ndi dumkit
Make sure po na hindi masyado mataba ang ground pork para hindi masyado magrender nang fat at lumiit pag steam 🙂
Super yummy!!! I added water chestnuts instead of the shitake mushrooms. The recipe was amazing!It was the first time my Norwegian boyfriend ate siomai and he loved it. Why didn’t I discover the recipes in Kawaling Pinoy before? You are the best❤️❤️❤️❤️I downloaded your free ecookbook and I will surely cook all the foods there! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m so glad your boyfriend loved it! Feel free to let us know what other dishes you’re going to let him try 🙂
I will try this tonight!
Ms Lalaine maraming salamat for sharing your recipes, your page is my go to page for my cravings 😍
Thank you, Sofia. I am glad you find the recipes helpful 🙂
Hi po, para san po ba yung egg beaten sa siomai meat? Sinubukan ko recipe nyo but then i forgot to add the egg. Ok lang po ba yun? Mag iiba lasa? Thank you!
Walang egg yung recipe 🙂
HELLO po bakit kapag na steam na lumiliit un meat nya sa loob parang nagloloosen yung meat sa wrapper?
Thank you and God Bless
Hello, Mary Ann
Lumiliit siya kasi nagrerender nang fat yung pork habang linuluto.
Hi! I wanted to try this recipe but Im allergic to chicken, can I use only beef instead?
Yes, you can use ground beef or ground pork. 🙂
Not sure what siomai wrappers are–where can you purchase them? Thank you!
Hello Sue
They’re wrappers kind of like eggrolls but smaller. You can find them at most grocery stores such as Walmart, Target in the refrigerated aisle along with tofu etc.