The Best Vegetarian Chinese Dim Sum Recipes

Dim Sum is a delightful culinary experience that offers an array of flavors, textures, and aromas. Traditional Chinese dim sum is often filled with meat, but vegetarian versions are just as delicious and satisfying. Here are some of the best vegetarian Chinese dim sum recipes that you can easily prepare at home.

1. Vegetable Dumplings

Vegetable dumplings are a staple in vegetarian dim sum. They are usually filled with a mix of finely chopped vegetables like cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and spring onions. To make the dough, you’ll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup water
• Salt to taste

For the filling, sauté the vegetables in sesame oil, add soy sauce, and season with ginger and garlic. Wrap the filling in the dough, steam, and serve with soy sauce or vinegar for dipping.

2. Steamed Buns (Baozi)

These fluffy buns can be filled with a variety of vegetarian options. One popular filling is a sweet and savory mix of mushrooms, tofu, and baby bok choy. For the dough, you’ll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ¾ cup warm water

Mix these ingredients, let the dough rise, and then fill it with the vegetable mixture before steaming. The result is soft, pillow-like buns perfect for sharing.

3. Vegetarian Siu Mai

Traditional siu mai typically contains pork, but a flavorful vegetarian version can be made using a mixture of shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, and carrots. For the wrappers, you can use store-bought dumpling wrappers or make your own:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup water

Combine the ingredients, roll out the dough, and cut it into circles. Fill each wrapper with the mushroom mixture, pinch the top, and steam until cooked through. Serve with a spicy dipping sauce.

4. Spinach and Feta Dumplings

This fusion recipe incorporates Greek flavors into the classic dumpling. Mix fresh spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and herbs for the filling. Use the same dumpling dough method as the vegetable dumplings, wrap, and steam. These dumplings are rich in flavor and perfect for a light lunch or appetizer.

5. Turnip Cakes

Chinese turnip cakes, or "lo bak go," are made with grated daikon radish and rice flour. They can be stacked high at any dim sum spread. The ingredients include:

• 2 cups grated daikon radish
• 1 cup rice flour
• ½ cup water
• Chopped shiitake mushrooms and green onions for flavor

Mix everything, pour into a steaming dish, and steam for about an hour. Let them cool down, slice them up, and pan-fry until crispy before serving.

6. Sesame Balls (Jian Dui)

These sweet treats are a fantastic way to round out a vegetarian dim sum meal. Made with glutinous rice flour and filled with sweet red bean paste, sesame balls are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. To make them, you’ll need:

• 1 cup glutinous rice flour
• ¾ cup water
• Red bean paste (for filling)
• Sesame seeds for coating

Roll the dough, fill with red bean paste, shape into balls, coat with sesame seeds, and deep-fry until golden brown.

7. Tofu and Veggie Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are a classic dim sum offering and can be filled with anything you like. A great vegetarian filling includes tofu, bean sprouts, and a mix of colorful vegetables. For wrapping, use spring roll wrappers and deep-fry until crispy. Serve with a sweet and sour dipping sauce for an added punch.

These vegetarian Chinese dim sum recipes are perfect for gatherings, family meals, or to satisfy your dim sum cravings at home. They are not only healthful and delicious but also a great way to explore the rich flavors of vegetarian cuisine.