Crispy Gau Gee

September 26: National Dumpling Day

In a past post on Chop Suey Day (August 29), we mentioned that Islander’s first family home in Hawaii when she was a baby was an apartment in Aiea, Oahu, located in a strip mall. She and her ‘ohana had lived above a Chinese restaurant named Waimalu Chop Suey. Chop suey was a fad food back in the day so the restaurant needed to re-brand itself to stay relevant. Waimalu Chop Suey is now famous for its giant, crispy pork-filled dumplings and calls itself the “House of Gau Gee”.

Now we make mini gau gee on the mainland to satisfy Islander’s Chinese and local food cravings. The size is smaller than the big ones at Waimalu Chop Suey to ensure that the pork filling is cooked all the way through. We fold them in the easy and traditional rectangle shape, but the dumplings can be turned into won tons as well.

These delightful dumplings make delicious appetizers and noodle toppers (gau gee mein) and are perfect pouches for observing National Dumpling Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Foodland)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork
  • ¼ pound shrimp, fresh, raw, peeled, deveined and chopped fine
  • ¼ cup green onions, sliced thinly
  • 1 can (4 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and chopped fine
  • 1-inch piece ginger, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • won ton wrappers

Directions

In a large bowl, mix the ground pork with the shrimp and green onions.

Add the water chestnuts, ginger, garlic, oyster sauce and soy sauce.

Mix well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend (optional). Separate the won ton wrappers. Place a tablespoon of the pork mixture and stretch it across the middle of a wrapper. Dip finger in water and moisten along the edges. Fold over in half and press to seal. This may be done assembly-style.

Place between sheets of waxed paper. Freeze for 30 minutes to hold its shape (optional). Deep fry in hot oil at 350 degrees F until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sauce (sweet and sour, duck, chili or hot mustard).

Notes

 Search our blog for more Chinese and dumpling recipes.