Vegetarian Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao)

Delight your taste buds with these Vegetarian Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao), a plant-based twist on the iconic Chinese delicacy. Bursting with umami goodness, each delicate dumpling encases a luscious filling of savory mushrooms, aromatic garlic, zesty ginger, and rich soy sauce, all enveloped in a tender, handmade dough. What sets these dumplings apart is the ingenious use of agar-agar to create gelatinized vegetable broth "soup cubes" that melt into a steamy, flavorful broth as the dumplings cook. Perfectly steamed to translucent perfection, these dumplings deliver a restaurant-quality experience right at home. Serve them hot with black vinegar or your favorite dipping sauce for an authentic and satisfying feast. Whether you're new to xiaolongbao or a seasoned dumpling lover, this meatless version is sure to impress! Keywords: vegetarian xiaolongbao, soup dumplings, homemade dumplings, plant-based Chinese recipe, agar-agar soup filling.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:90 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 cups Low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Agar-agar powder
• 1 cup Mushrooms (shiitake or cremini), finely minced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons Green onions, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup Hot water
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

1. Prepare the soup gelatin: In a small saucepan, heat the vegetable broth until simmering. Stir in the agar-agar powder and cook for 2 minutes, ensuring it dissolves completely. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Step 2

2. Make the filling: While the soup gelatin sets, heat a small pan over medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil, minced mushrooms, garlic, and grated ginger, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms are softened and fragrant. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, and stir in the soy sauce and green onions. Set aside to cool.

Step 3

3. Dice the soup gelatin: Once the gelatin is fully set, cut it into tiny cubes (about 1/4-inch pieces). Gently fold the gelatin cubes into the mushroom mixture. This will act as the soupy filling for the dumplings.

Step 4

4. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the hot water, stirring with chopsticks or a wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp towel and let rest for 30 minutes.

Step 5

5. Roll out the wrappers: Divide the rested dough into 20 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it into a 3-inch circle with a rolling pin. Aim for slightly thinner edges, with a thicker middle to hold the filling.

Step 6

6. Assemble the dumplings: Place 1 teaspoon of the filling (mushroom mixture and a few gelatin cubes) in the center of each wrapper. Gently pleat the edges of the wrapper, pinching them together at the top to seal the dumpling. Repeat for all wrappers.

Step 7

7. Steaming: Line a bamboo or metal steamer with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Arrange the dumplings about 1 inch apart to allow room for expansion. Steam over boiling water for 10-12 minutes, or until the wrappers become translucent.

Step 8

8. Serve: Carefully remove the dumplings from the steamer and serve immediately with a side of black vinegar or your preferred dipping sauce. Enjoy the burst of flavorful vegetarian soup in every bite!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1439.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1209.8

Total Fat 17.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1605.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 226.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.7g	0%
Total Sugars 8.7g
Protein 33.7g	0%

Vitamin D 24IU	0%
Calcium 130.7mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 1692.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 13.1%

Protein: 11.2%

Carbs: 75.6%