Remember that dumpling scene in Crazy Rich Asians? Rachel Chu (played by Constance Wu) is invited to a family gathering at Ah Ma’s house. While the family members sit around the long marble table in an assembly line, filling and perfecting their dumpling folds, Nick’s mother, Eleanor Young (played by Michelle Yeoh) uses the opportunity to passive-aggressively tell her that she isn’t worthy.
We’re not encouraging this behaviour of course—but the notion of a family-only dumpling wrapping session now feels like it should be a staple in every notable Singaporean family. And if you didn’t inherit a family dumpling recipe from Ah Ma, don’t worry, the grande dame of Singapore cooking Violet Oon has got you covered.
When we attended Betty Chen’s Crazy Rich Asian-themed brunch at the new Violet Oon Singapore outpost at Ion Orchard recently, her chef Paul Chia shared how wor tip dumplings are made from scratch.
Dumpling wrapping truly is an art form that takes time to perfect. Traditionally, each dumpling needs to have exactly 14 folds each (“You can’t use 12, because it represents heaven and earth, while the number 13 is reserved for your parents.”)
You pinch it from the right side of the skin to make it fold. Press, push forward and continue with the next fold
instructs Paul Chia. Now start practicing.
Violet Oon Singapore’s Wor Tip Dumplings (Pot Stickers)
INGREDIENTS
500g minced pork, with 20% fat200g Chinese chives, finely diced15g ginger, finely chopped1 tbsp light soya sauce1 tsp fine salt2 tsp fish sauce1 tsp fine sugar1 tbsp oyster sauce1 tsp white pepper powder1 tbsp Chinese yellow (Shao Shing) wine1½ tbsp potato flour
2 tbsp sesame oil
TO MAKE INTO DUMPLINGS100 round dumpling skins, large size1 egg, lightly beaten for egg wash
2-4 tbsp vegetable oil
TO SERVE 10 tbsp Chinese black vinegar50g julienne of young ginger
METHOD
1. Mix all the ingredients together to form a paste2. Put 1 tablespoon onto the centre of the dumpling skin and brush egg wash on the corners. Fold into two, and then pinch into 14 folds.3. When all the War Tip dumplings are formed, steam for 7 minutes4. Heat a non-stick frying pan. Pour the oil on the pan and fry until browned for two minutes on one side. (If you’d like, you can turn over nad fry the other side till golden). Do not stir when frying.
5. Serve with julienne of young ginger in Chinese black vinegar.
(See also: How To Be As Crazy, Rich and Famous As Vatanika)
