Classic Pork and Wombok Dumplings

2 servingsmediumChinese
Classic Pork and Wombok Dumplings

Traditional Chinese dumplings filled with seasoned pork mince, wombok, and aromatics. Boiled until they float, then served with ginger and black rice vinegar. The filling combines soy sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, and sugar for balanced umami and slight sweetness.

Ingredients

2 servings
  • 40 round dumpling wrappers
  • 9 oz pork mince
    chicken mince1:1poultry

    lighter alternative

  • 2 cups wombok, finely chopped
    napa cabbage1:1vegetable

    same vegetable, regional naming variation

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp light soy sauce
    tamari1:1condimentgluten-freesoy-free

    3

  • 1 tsp sesame oil
    neutral oil1:1oil

    removes sesame flavor

    Full guide →
  • 1 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • white pepper(optional)
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1 egg white
  • ginger, finely sliced, to serve(optional)
  • black rice vinegar, to serve(optional)
    rice vinegar1:1condiment

    milder flavor

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine pork mince, salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, sugar, white pepper, and water in a bowl and mix well.

  2. 2

    Mix flour and egg white together, then add to the filling and stir to combine.

  3. 3

    Fold in chopped wombok and mix until evenly distributed.

  4. 4

    Prepare a small bowl of water and a clean serving plate. Keep dumpling wrappers covered.

  5. 5

    Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper.

  6. 6

    Wet the edges of the wrapper with water using your finger.

  7. 7

    Pinch and seal the sides of the wrapper tightly with your fingers.

  8. 8

    Repeat with remaining filling and wrappers.

  9. 9

    Bring a pot of water to boil and drop dumplings in.

  10. 10

    Cook for 9-10 minutes until they float.

  11. 11

    Scoop out dumplings and serve immediately with sliced ginger and black rice vinegar.

Tips

Tip 1

Keep dumpling wrappers covered until use to prevent drying.

Tip 2

Wetting wrapper edges helps seal dumplings tightly and prevents filling from escaping during cooking.

Tip 3

Dumplings are cooked when they float; do not overcook or wrappers become mushy.

Good to Know

Storage

Uncooked dumplings can be frozen on a tray for 2 hours, then transferred to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Boil from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to cooking time.

Make Ahead

Prepare filling and wrap dumplings up to 4 hours ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cooking.

Serve With

Serve immediately after cooking while wrappers are soft and filling is hot. Serve with sliced ginger and black rice vinegar on the side for dipping.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not skip wetting wrapper edges to avoid filling leaking during cooking.

Watch

Do not uncover wrappers while prepping to avoid them drying out and cracking during folding.

Watch

Do not overcrowd the pot; cook in batches if needed to avoid dumplings sticking together.

Substitutions

Gluten-Free Swaps

light soy sauce
tamari1:1condimentgluten-freesoy-free

3

Full guide →

General Alternatives

wombok
napa cabbage1:1vegetable

same vegetable, regional naming variation

pork mince
chicken mince1:1poultry

lighter alternative

pork mince
shrimp mince1:1seafoodadds shellfish

3

Shaoxing wine
dry sherry1:1alcohol

similar cooking wine substitute

Full guide →
black rice vinegar
rice vinegar1:1condiment

milder flavor

Full guide →
sesame oil
neutral oil1:1oil

removes sesame flavor

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →