12 Best Chinese Breakfast Ideas
on Jul 28, 2022
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Breakfast is one of our favorite meals because there’s almost no limit to what you can eat! So why not start your day with authentic Chinese food?
Dim Sum is a traditional Cantonese meal enjoyed during breakfast or brunch at most Chinese restaurants. It includes dumplings, rolls, and buns with various flavors, textures, and delicious ingredients. Read on for 12 of the best Chinese breakfast ideas to try and enjoy at home.
Chinese Steamed Pork Buns
This traditional dim sum consists of a juicy pork filling. Even kids and picky eaters can’t resist these flavorful steamed buns.
Chinese Chive Pancakes
Fragrant sprigs of fresh chives make these savory pancakes delicious. Enjoy with a drizzle of soy sauce for a healthy vegetarian breakfast.
Congee
This comforting Chinese rice porridge is a welcome addition to any dim sum platter. Pair this traditional side dish with stir-fried vegetables or braised meats.
Braised Pork Feet
In China, pig trotters are considered one of the most delicious cuts of pork. This meaty dim sum is slow cooked in a rich and flavorful sauce and garnished with green onions.
Chinese BBQ Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao)
These soft, pillowy buns are stuffed with a flavorful BBQ pork filling. With the correct technique, it’s easy to make Char Siu Bao dumplings from scratch.
Pan Fried Potstickers
These crispy, savory dumplings are a favorite menu item at Chinese restaurants. Make a big batch and freeze the leftovers to be fried the next time you have a potsticker craving.
Hong Kong-Style Egg Tart
These egg tarts feature a sweet, custard filling and a flaky pastry crust. This authentic recipe is inspired by bakeries in Hong Kong.
Shumai (Siu Mai)
These steamed dumplings are filled with a tasty combination of juicy pork and shrimp. Learn the proper technique for folding authentic Chinese Siu Mai with this simple recipe.
Cheong Fun (Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls)
Homemade Chinese rice noodle balls make an irresistible appetizer for brunch. Here are five delicious ways to make Cheong Fun using simple ingredients you already have at home.
Shanghai Xiao Long Bao
These famous Chinese steamed dumplings are a great way to start Dim Sum. Learn the technique for making authentic Xiao Long Bao at home.
Cantonese Sticky Rice Dumplings (Zongzi)
If you like Mexican tamales, you’re sure to enjoy Chinese zongzi. These sticky rice dumplings can be savory or sweet, depending on your preferences.
Chicken and Cabbage Dim Sum
This clever recipe uses cabbage leaves in place of traditional dumpling wrappers. The result is a delicious, low-carb dim sum.
Best Shumai Recipe
Ingredients
- 13 oz ground pork
- 5 oz shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 3 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2.5 tsp sugar
- 5 tsp cooking wine
- 2 tbsp finely minced green onions, only the white part
- 25 wonton wrappers
- optional flying fish roe , for serving
Instructions
Make the Filling
- Soak the dried mushrooms in boiling water. Then chopped them finely.
- Place pork, salt, soy sauce, cooking wine, and sugar into a large bowl. Mix well with a spoon or your hands for about 30 seconds until the mixture becomes pasty.
- Add the mushrooms, shrimp and green onions, and gently mix until just combined.
Make the Shumai
- Form an “O” with your forefinger and thumb.
- Place a wonton wrapper over the “O”. Push a heaping teaspoon of the filling into the wrapper.
- Use a butter knife or the back of a spoon to add more filling until it is level with the top of the wrapper.
- Place the filled wrapper on a work surface and push down with your fingers to flatten the base of the dumpling.
Steam the Shumai
- Line a 12″ bamboo steamer (or steamer insert) with parchment that’s been poked to create holes.
- Fill a wok large enough to hold the steamer with about 2 cups of water. Bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat.
- Place the dumplings into the steamer. Cover with the lid, and place into the wok above the simmering water.
- Steam for about 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the dumplings reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the steamer from the wok and place a sprinkling of roe or a single green pea in the middle of each dumpling.
Make the Dipping Sauce
- Make a quick and easy dipping sauce by combining 3 parts soy sauce, 1 part vinegar, and sriracha to taste. Mix well and serve with the dumplings.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
