{"id":"recipe_8113d1b197","slug":"xiaolongbao-soup-dumplings","title":"Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)","description":"Authentic Shanghai-style steamed soup dumplings featuring a delicate, thin wrapper and a rich, savory pork filling with a burst of hot, aromatic broth inside.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":90,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":120,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"300g Ground Pork (70/30 lean to fat ratio)","name":"Ground Pork","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.66,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"fatty, 70/30 ratio preferred","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"200g Pork Skin Aspic (cubed meat jelly)","name":"Pork Skin Aspic","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"chilled and finely cubed","notes":"homemade from pork skin and aromatics","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"250g All-purpose Flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"plus extra for dusting","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"125ml Warm Water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":125,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"approx 50°C (122°F)","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tbsp Soy Sauce","name":"Soy Sauce","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"light soy sauce","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tsp Sesame Oil","name":"Sesame Oil","quantity":10,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"liquid","notes":"toasted","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tbsp Ginger, minced","name":"Ginger","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.35,"usUnit":"oz","form":"minced","notes":"fresh","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 Scallions, finely chopped","name":"Scallions","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"green and white parts","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tsp Sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"to balance salt","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 tsp Salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"kosher or sea salt","group":"Filling","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, minced ginger, chopped scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and salt. Stir vigorously in one direction until the meat becomes tacky and paste-like.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the ground pork, minced ginger, chopped scallions, soy sauce","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Gently fold the finely cubed pork skin aspic into the meat mixture. Keep the filling refrigerated until ready to wrap.","group":"Preparation","title":"Gently fold the finely cubed pork skin aspic","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Place flour in a bowl and gradually add warm water (122°F/50°C). Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and rest for 30 minutes.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place flour in a bowl and gradually add warm water","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Divide the dough into small pieces (about 10-12g each). Roll each piece into a thin circle with the edges thinner than the center. Place a spoonful of filling in the center and create 18 or more pleats to seal the top.","group":"Assembly","title":"Divide the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Line a bamboo steamer with parchment paper or cabbage leaves. Place dumplings inside, leaving space between them. Steam over boiling water at 212°F (100°C) for 8-10 minutes. Serve immediately.","group":"Cooking","title":"Line a bamboo steamer","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"The secret to the soup is the 'aspic' or meat jelly, which melts into broth when steamed. Use fatty pork (at least 30% fat) for the best flavor. For the dipping sauce, always serve with Chinkiang black vinegar and julienned ginger.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese","Shanghainese"]},"course":["main","appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["steam"],"equipment":["bamboo steamer","rolling pin","large mixing bowl","parchment paper"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["wheat","soy","sesame"],"difficulty":"hard","yield":{"amount":28,"unit":"piece","note":"approximate number of dumplings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The pork aspic must be made at least 4 hours ahead. Uncooked dumplings can be frozen; steam directly from frozen for 12-15 minutes."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Best consumed immediately as the soup will be absorbed by the wrapper over time. If stored, refrigerate in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Re-steam for 2 minutes to melt the soup again; microwaving is not recommended as it toughens the wrapper."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8113d1b197%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=179b29e4-7e75-4ade-98c5-e5bc87afa5e0","imageAlt":"Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["dumplings","soup dumplings","shanghai cuisine","steamed","pork","dim sum"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T18:56:04.906Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T18:56:04.906Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7d0223495d","slug":"classic-japanese-udon-soup","title":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup","description":"A comforting, traditional East Asian noodle soup featuring thick, chewy udon noodles in a delicate, savory dashi broth.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7d0223495d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b95b3407-aaaf-4a90-8153-c9dccf8a4049","imageAlt":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup — recipe cover","tags":["udon","noodles","soup","quick","comfort food","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}