Pan-Fried Shanghainese Pork Soup Dumplings

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate Shanghainese-style pork dumplings with a savory broth inside, pan-fried to a golden crisp on the bottom and steamed to tender perfection. This chinese-inspired dumplings ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground pork, ginger, minced, Shaoxing wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 300 g ground pork, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 2 tbsp finely chopped green onions; mix thoroughly until sticky and well incorporated.
  2. Step 2: Gently fold in 100 g diced pork broth gelatin to the pork mixture to create the soup filling.
  3. Step 3: For the dough, pour 120 ml boiling water into 200 g all-purpose flour, stirring immediately with chopsticks until combined; when cool enough to handle, knead into a smooth dough for 5 minutes. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Roll the dough into a long log and cut into 20 equal portions; roll each into a thin circle about 3 inches in diameter, thinner at edges.
  5. Step 5: Place about 1 tbsp of filling in the center of each wrapper, pleat edges to seal tightly, forming a dumpling.
  6. Step 6: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat; arrange dumplings flat side down and fry for 2 minutes until golden brown on bottom.
  7. Step 7: Carefully add 100 ml water to the pan and immediately cover with a lid to steam; cook for 6 minutes until wrappers become translucent and filling is cooked through.
  8. Step 8: Remove lid and cook uncovered for 1 additional minute to crisp the bottom again; serve hot with black vinegar and ginger dipping sauce.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Shanghainese Pork Soup Dumplings take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (45 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Shanghainese Pork Soup Dumplings?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Shanghainese Pork Soup Dumplings?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Fried Shanghainese Pork Soup Dumplings for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Fried Shanghainese Pork Soup Dumplings?

Chinese dumplings like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.