Authentic Malaysian Pork Dumplings
Delight in these authentic Malaysian pork dumplings, a cherished recipe passed down from a dear friend's grandfather who once owned a bustling dumpling shop in Malaysia. These dumplings are incredibly flavorful, combining tender ground pork with fragrant Chinese chives and aromatic seasonings. They're perfect for gatherings or simply a comforting meal at home, and I often find myself making a double or triple batch because they disappear so quickly! While the homemade dough shines in this recipe, feel free to use store-bought wonton wrappers for a quicker option. Just roll them out a bit thinner for that perfect bite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
2 cups (all-purpose, for dough)
Eggs
2 large (lightly whisked)
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for dough)
Cold water
1/2 cup (divided, for dough)
Chinese chives
3/4 cup (finely chopped (can substitute with regular chives or scallions))
Ground pork
1 lb (fresh)
Soy sauce
1 teaspoon (for flavoring)
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon (for binding)
Ginger juice
1 teaspoon (freshly squeezed from grated ginger)
Chicken bouillon powder
1/2 teaspoon (for added umami)
Sesame oil
1 teaspoon (for flavoring)
Garlic
1/2 teaspoon (finely minced)
Salt & pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
To prepare the dough, place the flour into a mixing bowl and create a well in the center.
2
In a separate small bowl, crack the eggs and lightly whisk them. Pour the eggs into the well of the flour.
3
Add the vegetable oil and half of the cold water. Mix until a rough dough forms.
4
Gradually add more cold water as needed until the dough is pliable yet not sticky, resembling pasta dough.
5
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
6
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
7
For the filling, combine the ground pork, Chinese chives, soy sauce, cornstarch, ginger juice, chicken bouillon powder, sesame oil, minced garlic, and salt & pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix gently to combine without overworking the meat.
8
Cover the filling and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9
Once the dough has rested, roll it out on a floured surface until it's as thin as possible without breaking (a pasta roller can be quite helpful).
10
Use a large round cookie cutter (approximately the size of a standard tuna can) to cut out circles from the rolled-out dough.
11
Take a dough circle and place one tablespoon of the meat filling in the center. Dampen the edges of the circle with a bit of water, then fold it in half and pinch to seal securely.
12
Continue this process until all dough and filling have been used up.
13
To cook, steam the dumplings in a bamboo or metal steamer for about 12 minutes until cooked through.
14
For an extra touch, after steaming, you can stir-fry the dumplings in a little peanut oil until they develop a crispy golden-brown exterior.
15
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces for a delightful treat.
16
If not consuming immediately, allow the dumplings to cool before placing them in a zip-top bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Authentic Malaysian Pork Dumplings?
These are traditional dumplings made with tender ground pork, Chinese chives, and aromatic seasonings, based on a heritage recipe from Malaysia.
What is the origin of this dumpling recipe?
The recipe was passed down from a friend's grandfather who once owned a bustling dumpling shop in Malaysia.
Can I use store-bought wrappers instead of making dough?
Yes, you can use store-bought wonton wrappers for a quicker option, though it is recommended to roll them out slightly thinner.
What ingredients are needed for the homemade dough?
The dough consists of all-purpose flour, large eggs, vegetable oil, and cold water.
How long should the dough be kneaded?
Knead the dough on a floured surface for approximately 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Does the dough need to rest before rolling?
Yes, the dough should be covered with a clean kitchen towel and allowed to rest for 30 minutes.
What is the primary protein used in the filling?
The recipe uses 1 lb of fresh ground pork.
What are Chinese chives and can they be substituted?
Chinese chives are fragrant herbs used in the filling; they can be substituted with regular chives or scallions if unavailable.
How is ginger juice prepared for this recipe?
Ginger juice is obtained by freshly squeezing the liquid from grated ginger.
Why is cornstarch added to the pork filling?
Cornstarch is used in the filling as a binding agent to help hold the ingredients together.
What adds the umami flavor to the filling?
Chicken bouillon powder and soy sauce are included to provide an extra boost of umami.
How long should the meat filling rest?
The filling should be refrigerated for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
What is the best way to roll out the dough?
Roll the dough on a floured surface as thin as possible without breaking; a pasta roller can be very helpful for this step.
What size should the dumpling wrappers be?
You should use a round cutter approximately the size of a standard tuna can to cut out the dough circles.
How much filling goes into each dumpling?
Place exactly one tablespoon of the meat filling in the center of each dough circle.
How do you seal the dumplings properly?
Dampen the edges of the dough circle with water, fold it in half, and pinch the edges to seal securely.
How long do the dumplings need to steam?
Steam the dumplings in a bamboo or metal steamer for about 12 minutes until they are cooked through.
Can I make the dumplings crispy?
Yes, after steaming, you can stir-fry the dumplings in a little peanut oil until the exterior is golden-brown and crispy.
What type of oil is recommended for frying?
Peanut oil is recommended for stir-frying the dumplings for added flavor and texture.
How should I serve Malaysian pork dumplings?
Serve them warm alongside your favorite dipping sauces for the best experience.
How should leftovers be stored?
Allow the dumplings to cool completely, then place them in a zip-top bag and refrigerate.
How long do these dumplings stay fresh in the refrigerator?
They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Is the dough supposed to be sticky?
No, the dough should be pliable but not sticky, similar to the consistency of pasta dough.
What is the texture of the filling?
The filling is tender and flavorful, thanks to the combination of pork, sesame oil, and ginger juice.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, the recipe suggests doubling or tripling the batch because they are popular and disappear quickly.
What seasoning is used for the pork?
The meat is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients used across the dough and the filling.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Pork and is considered an appetizer or comfort food.
Should I overwork the meat when mixing?
No, you should mix the filling gently to combine the ingredients without overworking the meat.
Is a specific type of steamer required?
Either a bamboo steamer or a metal steamer will work perfectly for this recipe.