Har gow are steamed dumplings with a translucent wheat starch and tapioca starch wrapper encasing a whole prawn (or prawn and bamboo shoot) filling. The wrapper’s translucency shows the pink prawn inside; the pleats hold the shape during steaming.
The wrapper
Wheat starch (not plain flour) + tapioca starch + boiling water. This produces a dough that is gluten-free after cooking and becomes translucent when steamed. It tears easily when cold — work quickly and keep unused dough covered.
The pleat count
Three pleats: acceptable for a home cook. Seven pleats: a journeyman dim sum chef. Nine pleats on one side: master level. The pleats fold from the rim of one side only, with the opposite side smooth.
Service
Served in threes from a bamboo steamer, immediately from the heat. Har gow begins to toughen and stick within five minutes of coming off the steam.