Har gow

Ha gow

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Origin
Alternative name(s)	Xia jiao, also spelled ha gau, ha gaau, ha gao, ha gow, or other variants
Place of origin	Guangdong, China
Region or state	Cantonese-speaking areas
Details
Course served	Dim sum
Main ingredient(s)	Wheat starch, tapioca starch, shrimp, cooked pork fat, bamboo shoots, scallions, cornstarch, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and other seasonings

Har gow
Traditional Chinese	蝦餃
Simplified Chinese	虾饺
Cantonese Jyutping	haa1 gaau2
Hanyu Pinyin	xiā jiǎo
Literal meaning	shrimp dumpling
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin xiā jiǎo Yue: Cantonese Jyutping haa1 gaau2 Yale Romanization hā gáau Southern Min Hokkien POJ hê-kiáu hoê-kiáu

Ha gow (anglicized as Har gow) or Xiā jiǎo is a traditional Cantonese dumpling served in dim sum.

Name

The dumpling is sometimes called a shrimp bonnet for its pleated shape. This dish is often served together with sieu mai; when served in such a manner the two items are collectively referred to as hagow-sieu mai (蝦餃燒賣).

Description

These shrimp dumplings are transparent and smooth. The prawn dumplings first appeared in Guangzhou outskirts near the creek bazaar Deli. This dish is said to be the one that the skill of a dim sum chef is judged on. Traditionally, ha gow should have at least seven and preferably ten or more pleats imprinted on its wrapper. The skin must be thin and translucent, yet be sturdy enough not to break when picked up with chopsticks. It must not stick to the paper, container or the other ha gow in the basket. The shrimp must be cooked well, but not overcooked. The amount of meat should be generous, yet not so much that it cannot be eaten in one bite.

See also

• Shumai