Dim Sum · Har Gow · Pork-Free
Ugly Dumpling Shrimp Dumplings.
Six steamed shrimp dumplings — the dim sum shrimp option at $11. Translucent wrapper, whole shrimp filling. The har gow of the Ugly Dumpling dim sum section.
Dim Sum · Har Gow · Pork-Free
Six steamed shrimp dumplings — the dim sum shrimp option at $11. Translucent wrapper, whole shrimp filling. The har gow of the Ugly Dumpling dim sum section.
Har gow — steamed shrimp dumplings with a translucent wheat starch wrapper — is considered the benchmark dish of Cantonese dim sum. A dim sum chef's skill is traditionally assessed by how well they make har gow: the wrapper must be thin enough to be translucent but strong enough not to tear when lifted with chopsticks, and the shrimp filling must retain its snap without becoming rubbery.
The translucent wrapper is made from wheat starch rather than standard flour — a dough that behaves differently, requires more precise water temperature and kneading, and produces that characteristic see-through appearance that makes the pink shrimp visible through the skin. It is more delicate than a flour wrapper, which is why har gow are always served immediately out of the steamer.
At $11 for 6, shrimp dumplings are the most expensive of the six-piece dim sum options — $1.83 per piece versus $1.50 for pork, chicken, and vegan. The shrimp ingredient cost drives the premium. For a complete dim sum experience, these belong on the table alongside the shumai as the two shrimp-forward items in the section.
Per full order (6 pieces). Estimates based on standard recipe; actual values may vary.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 300 |
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Allergens: Wheat, Shellfish/Shrimp, Soy. No pork.
Har gow is how dim sum chefs are judged. Ordering shrimp dumplings at any new dim sum restaurant tells you more about the kitchen's skill level than almost any other item. The translucent wrapper, the snap of the shrimp, the clean sweetness of the filling — these are qualities that require genuine craft to achieve consistently.
20g of protein at 300 calories with only 8g of fat makes shrimp dumplings one of the most macro-efficient items on the whole Ugly Dumpling menu. Shrimp is one of the leanest animal proteins available, and the wheat starch wrapper is lower-carb than standard wheat wrappers, contributing to the favorable nutrition profile.
The filling is whole or roughly chopped shrimp — not ground — which preserves the texture and the natural sweetness of the seafood. The snap of fresh shrimp inside a delicate wrapper is the defining sensation of well-made har gow.
The wheat starch skin turns translucent during steaming, allowing you to see the pink shrimp inside. This is both a visual indicator of quality and the result of a more technically demanding dough preparation.
Pure shrimp, no pork mixed in. Along with chicken and vegan dumplings, a pork-free option — and the only shellfish-only dim sum dumpling on the menu.
