It is the crown jewel of Cantonese dim sum, a test of a chef’s mastery, and a favorite on tables across Asia and beyond. From its crystal-clear wrapper to the succulent shrimp inside, every detail of Har Gow reflects centuries of culinary tradition and precision. In this post, let’s discover the story, craftsmanship, and the soul behind this iconic dish — and how Meksea is bringing it to the world.

What is the origin of Har Gow?

What is the origin of Har Gow?

According to  TasteAtlas, Har Gow originated in Guangdong, China, the birthplace of the exquisite dim sum tradition. Unlike regular dumplings, Har Gow is known for its translucent, slightly chewy wrapper, made from a delicate blend of wheat starch and tapioca (or potato starch). This special dough gives Har Gow its signature appearance,  clear enough to showcase the rosy pink hue of fresh shrimp inside, while being sturdy enough to hold the filling without tearing.

How many pleats should a Har Gow have?

How many pleats should a Har Gow have?

Traditionally, Har Gow is folded with 7 to 13 pleats.
While 7 pleats is acceptable, especially in fast-paced kitchens or casual settings. 13 pleats is considered a mark of true craftsmanship in Cantonese cuisine.

But pleats aren’t just for beauty. They help the wrapper expand slightly during steaming, preventing it from breaking while maintaining an elegant shape. In short, the number of pleats reflects the chef’s precision, patience, and respect for tradition. More pleats often mean more mastery.

How to enjoy Har Gow properly?

How to enjoy Har Gow properly?

In traditional dim sum restaurants, diners are advised not to dip Har Gow too heavily in soy sauce, as it can overpower the delicate, sweet taste of shrimp.
Instead, just a touch of light chili oil or a few slices of pickled ginger is enough to enhance the flavor while honoring the purity of the dish.

Across many Asian restaurants, Har Gow is a trusted indicator of overall dim sum quality. If this dish is done well, you can feel confident about the rest of the menu.

What is the soul of Har Gow?

The soul of Har Gow is none other than fresh shrimp.

Authentic Har Gow never contains ground shrimp or mixed-in pork. Instead, it is crafted with carefully cleaned, diced whole shrimp to preserve its natural sweetness and crisp texture. Just one bite is enough to release the burst of ocean flavor, highlighting the freshness and quality of the seafood.

Because of its simplicity and technical demand, Har Gow is often seen as the “benchmark dish” that reflects the skill of a dim sum chef. If the Har Gow is excellent, it’s a strong sign that the rest of the menu will be just as impressive.

Fresh shrimp is the soul of Har Gow

Does Meksea offer Har Gow?

Yes! Meksea is proud to be a global supplier of Har Gow, bringing the authentic taste of Cantonese dim sum to customers around the world. We remain committed to preserving the soul of Har Gow:  fresh, high-quality shrimp, through strict sourcing and processing standards.

Whether for restaurants, wholesalers, or importers, Meksea ensures every bite of our Har Gow delivers the signature texture, flavor, and elegance that this iconic dish deserves.

See more Meksea’s HarGow: »Har Gow     

Other added-value products:                              

  »Gyoza Prawn                                              »Seafood Spring Rolls

  »Shrimp Burger                                           »Coconut Shrimp

Don’t hesitate to contact us to explore more Vietnam Har Gow!

Mr. Hoang Duy – Commercial Director

Mobile/WhatsApp/Wechat: + 84 903 872 469

Email: hoang@mekseaconnection.com

Joy Nguyen  (Meksea Team)

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