Kanom Jeeb (Thai Dumplings Recipe) – Hungry in Thailand (2024)

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Kanom jeeb, the beloved Thai version of Chinese pork siu mai, is a staple at Thai restaurants and dim sum carts. It’s a tender, pork-filled snack that’s the perfect start to any Thai meal. This Thai dumplings recipe is simple, flavorful, and authentic!

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Pair these pork dumplings with my irresistibly delicious wonton dipping sauce – also try my Thai pork and shrimp wonton recipe and Thai fried wonton!

Table of Contents

What is kanom jeeb

Kanom jeeb is a steamed snack inspired by a staple in Chinese cuisine: pork siu mai dim sum. These Thai dumplings are often filled with minced pork and/or shrimp. Steamed in a traditional bamboo steamer, they’re typically served with a savory dipping sauce.

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Kanom jeeb is a Thai term that means “pleated dumpling” or “pleated snack”. “Kanom” is the word for Thai snacks and sweet, while “jeeb” refers to the pleated look of these dumplings.

Kanom jeeb, also known as khanom jeeb or kanom jeep, is pronounced as “kah-nom jeep”.

Thai dumplings recipe

These Thai pork dumplings are wrapped in thin, silky dough, and filled with fresh vegetables, aromatic seasonings, and ground pork.

Steam them, boil them, or give them a crispy edge by deep-frying. Each method is a winner, these are seriously addictive!

Choose minced pork, shrimp, or both – this easy dumpling recipe is so versatile.

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They’re the perfect appetizer for Thai meals. Whether you’re having pad Thai or a spicy green curry, these are the dumplings you’ll want to have on repeat.

Don’t forget a dipping sauce, an absolute must! Enjoy them with my Thai sweet chili sauce, my special wonton dipping sauce, or even a quick store-bought alternative.

Dumplings in Thailand

In my small rural town, there’s a local legend driving around a dim sum cart. He crafts THE BEST Thai dumplings you can imagine, all from scratch.

His wrappers are homemade, his filling is irresistible, and that dipping sauce is to dream about.

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He shared his secret: it’s all pork in his steamed dumplings, keeping it delicious and affordable.

Inspired, I set out to whip up the best Thai dumplings recipe, focusing on just minced pork.

Of course, feel free to toss in some shrimp if you’re a fan of seafood!

Dumpling filling ideas

  • Vegetables and herbs: Carrots, onions, and dried shiitake mushrooms are classic options. Shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, spinach, chives, and green onions can be used for dumplings.
  • Proteins: Besides minced shrimp and pork, try minced chicken or beef, or go vegetarian with a vegetable-only mix.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post.

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  • Pork – Pork is a classic choice in the filling of khanom jeeb, it adds a meaty flavor and minced pork has a great texture and juicy bite. The meat is infused with spices and seasonings, and during the cooking process it gives flavor to the dough as well. Besides pork, you can use chicken, shrimp, beef, or a combination of those as well.
  • Wonton wrappers – Wonton wrappers are very thin sheets of dough that are used to make Thai-style wontons. They’re easy to fold in the palm of your hand, and the most common shapes are square and round. In Thailand, they’re sold fresh at food markets, but outside Asia you can find them frozen in Asian grocery stores.
  • Coriander root, black peppercorns – Coriander root and black peppercorns bring a peppery flavor and refreshing taste to the dumplings. If you’re not so fond of them, you can simply omit them. You’re free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste and create personalized khanom jeeb that the whole family can enjoy.
  • Garlic, carrots, green onions, dried shiitake mushrooms – These vegetables create flavor and texture. They’re my favorite choice of vegetables for this Thai dumplings recipe.
  • Golden mountain sauce, oyster sauce, white sugar – My choice of seasonings for adding an umami and sweet and savory flavor. These are popular ingredients of Thai cuisine and a common choice to enhance the flavor of our dishes.
  • Sesame oil – An oil from roasted sesame seeds, adds a rich flavor and pleasant aroma.
  • Cornstarch – Cornstarch acts as a binding agent, and it helps to bind the ingredients together, so they don’t fall apart during the cooking process.
  • Garlic oil – Before cooking the dumplings, applying a small layer of garlic oil greatly enhances the taste and makes them more visually appealing. Garlic oil is made by deep-frying chopped garlic, and the crispy fried garlic can be used as garnishing when serving.

How to make pork dumplings

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Step 1: Pound coriander roots, black peppercorns, and garlic with a mortar and pestle.

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Step 3: Add ground pork into a blender or food processor with your sauce mixture, egg, and tapioca starch. Pulse until it reaches a smooth texture that will be easy to spoon into the dumpling wrappers.

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Step 4: Transfer the ground dumpling filling mixture to a large mixing bowl and thoroughly combine with the crushed spice mixture of step 1 and your finely diced vegetables.

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Step 5: To easily shape the dumplings, place a wonton wrapper over the concave side of a tablespoon, press gently to create a well, add the filling to the center, lightly moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, then fold the edges up and around the filling, pinching to seal while nestled in the spoon to maintain the perfect shape.

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Step 6: Prepare your steamer by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cover and steam over medium heat for 10 minutes until they’re cooked through, and the wrappers are translucent. Enjoy hot.

Kitchen tools

  • Rolling pin if you’re making dumpling wrappers from scratch.
  • Small spoon for portioning the filling into each wrapper.
  • Large mixing bowl for combining the filling.
  • Mortar and pestle for crushing spices.
  • Small brush for applying garlic oil.
  • Bamboo steamer or steaming pot.

Serving suggestions

Serve your kanom jeeb as a delightful appetizer or as a light snack. Pair with an array of dipping sauces and offer chopsticks or toothpicks. Sprinkle with crispy fried garlic for a finishing touch.

Dipping sauce options

This Thai food blog is a goldmine of traditional Thai sauces. Whether you like spicy, sweet, sour, or salty, you’ll find the perfect match for your Thai dumplings:

  • Authentic Thai peanut sauce recipe
  • Thai tamarind dipping sauce
  • Vinegar dipping sauce
  • Thai sweet chili sauce
  • Thai green chili sauce

More Thai appetizers

These Thai appetizers complement the dumplings, for a complete Thai meal.

  • Spicy fried chicken recipe without buttermilk
  • Thai shrimp rolls with peanut sauce
  • Tod mun pla recipe (Thai fish cakes)
  • Thai chicken wings
  • Moo ping (Thai grilled pork skewers)

How to store and reheat

For short-time storage, refrigerate the dumplings. Before storing, allow the dumplings to cool down completely. Tuck them away in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to two days.

Freezing instructions: For longer storage, you can freeze dumplings by laying them out separately on a tray, stored in the freezer. Once the dumplings are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer bag and store them for several weeks or months.

Reheating instructions: When you’re ready, reheat the dumplings by steaming them until they’re warm. If they’re frozen, no need to thaw, just extend the steaming time. Alternatively, you can choose to boil, pan-fry, or deep-fry them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I customize the filling?

Yes! Feel free to add extra seasoning, vegetables, or other protein. Make this recipe your own by experimenting with different flavors. Turn it into a vegan recipe by swapping oyster sauce for mushroom sauce.

How much fat is in khanom jeeb?

The fat content in khanom jeeb varies based on the filling and preparation method. Typically, each dumpling has about 1–3 grams of fat, mainly from the pork or shrimp filling and any added oils.

Can I make dumplings in advance?

Yes, you can store them in your refrigerator for up to 2 days after cooking them. Additionally, you can shape them and store in your refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. Another option is to freeze them for later use.

What sauces go well with Thai dumplings?

Thai dumplings pair wonderfully with a soy-based sauce or a Thai sweet chili sauce.

Are Thai dumplings gluten-free?

Thai dumplings are typically not gluten-free, because the wrappers are usually made from wheat flour. However, it is possible to make or find gluten-free versions by using wrappers made from gluten-free flours such as rice flour or tapioca starch.

Related Thai appetizer recipes you’ll love

  • Authentic Thai chicken satay with peanut sauce
  • Miang kham recipe (Thai leaf-wrapped bites)
  • Khao taen recipe (Thai crispy rice cakes)
  • Goong tod recipe (deep-fried prawns)
  • Hot and spicy pork rinds recipe
  • Thai corn fritters

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Print Recipe

5 from4 votes

Kanom Jeeb (Thai Dumplings Recipe)

Author:Praew Cooking Method:Steaming Cuisine:Thai Cuisine Courses:Appetizer, Side Dish Recipe Keys: high-protein High Protein Low Carb Low Fat nut-free Nut Free

Prep Time30 minCook Time20 minTotal Time50 mins

Servings:40 Calories:66

Description

Learn how to make kanom jeeb, Thai dumplings, and pair them with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Pound coriander roots, black peppercorns, and garlic with a mortar and pestle.

  2. Combine golden mountain sauce, white sugar, sesame oil, and oyster sauce in a mixing bowl.

  3. Add ground pork into a blender or food processor with your sauce mixture, egg, and tapioca starch. Pulse until it reaches a smooth texture that will be easy to spoon into the dumpling wrappers.

  4. Transfer the ground dumpling filling mixture to a large mixing bowl and thoroughly combine with the crushed spice mixture of step 1 and your finely diced vegetables.

  5. To easily shape the dumplings, place a wonton wrapper over the concave side of a tablespoon, press gently to create a well, add the filling to the center, lightly moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, then fold the edges up and around the filling, pinching to seal while nestled in the spoon to maintain the perfect shape.

  6. Prepare your steamer by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cover and steam over medium heat for 10 minutes until they’re cooked through, and the wrappers are translucent. Enjoy hot.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 40

Amount Per Serving
Calories 66kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.7g2%
Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
Total Carbohydrate 10.3g4%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugars 0.5g
Protein 4.4g9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

  • Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
  • Serve as an appetizer, as a snack, or as a light meal with a dipping sauce such as soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, or my homemade wonton dipping sauce.
  • Experiment with different fillings such as pork, shrimp, chicken, beef, or vegetables-only.

Keywords: kanom jeeb, Thai dumplings

Kanom Jeeb (Thai Dumplings Recipe) – Hungry in Thailand (2024)

FAQs

What are Thai dumplings made of? ›

These Thai pork dumplings are wrapped in thin, silky dough, and filled with fresh vegetables, aromatic seasonings, and ground pork. Steam them, boil them, or give them a crispy edge by deep-frying.

Do they have dumplings in Thailand? ›

Originally a Chinese dish, these little pork and shrimp dumplings have become a solid part of the Thai food culture and we call them kanom jeeb.

What are prawn dumplings made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 10 green prawns, peeled, deveined and diced (about 150gm prawn meat)
  • 1 tbsp coarsely chopped coriander.
  • 1 tbsp thinly sliced spring onions.
  • 1 tsp finely diced ginger.
  • 1 tsp organic tamari.
  • ½ tsp white sugar.
  • ½ tsp sesame oil.
  • 16 fresh dumpling wrappers, such as gow gee wrappers.
Sep 5, 2019

What is in Zhu Zhou dumplings? ›

What is Teochew dumpling/ Chiu Chow dumpling? Teochew dumpling or also known as Chiu Chow dumpling or Chao Zhou fun guo or Teochew crystal dumpling or hun kwe (粉餜) is a steamed dumpling filled with savory filling made with minced meat, jicama, chives, peanuts, though can be made vegetarian without using meat.

Are Thai dumplings healthy? ›

“If it's fairly lean meat to start with, the dumpling is going to be quite low in fat in that sense,” Austin said. The same goes for frozen dumplings you buy from the supermarket. As long as they're not pre-deep fried and contain whole, healthy ingredients they are an okay option, according to Austin.

What are the 3 components of dumplings? ›

What are dumplings made of? The dumpling dough is made of three main ingredients: flour, water and salt.

What is difference between gyoza and dumplings? ›

In Japan, gyoza is almost exclusively pan-fried and steamed, served on its own or with a salty and tangy dipping sauce. Dumplings can be boiled, steamed, or fried; served as is, with a spicy sauce, or in a soup.

What is the difference between dumplings and Mandu? ›

Mandu's are folded similarly to Chinese dumplings but are folded one more time making them more of a circular shape. Often these dumplings are served with a side of kimchi or vinegar for a dipping sauce.

What is ka nom in Thai? ›

The word "khanom" (Thai: ขนม), refers to snack or dessert, presumably being a compound between two words, "khao" (ข้าว), "rice" and "khnom" (หนม), "sweet". The word "khanom" in the Thai sense is snack or sweet food made from flour.

What are purple dumplings made of? ›

The exterior batter is made from rice flour, arrowroot flour and tapioca flour stirred together in a brass pan. The violet color of the exterior batter comes from a butterfly pea color mixed with a few drops of lime juice.

Why are dumplings gummy? ›

If you overcook your dumplings in the steamer or when boiling, the dough of the wrappers will have a gummy texture that isn't very pleasant, and your filling might get dry and tough. If you overcook them in the pan, you risk a similar gummy texture on top and a bitter, burnt crust on the bottom.

What ethnicity eats dumplings? ›

Dumplings hold an exceptional significance in Chinese culture - the cuisine is incomplete without them, and if you've been to a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, you will find them at the top of the menu.

What are dragon dumplings? ›

The dragon dumpling (Long Chao Shou) is a signature delicacy of Chengdu city. This is the special name for wonton in Sichuan.

What are Yuanbao dumplings? ›

The recipe I'm sharing today is for yuan bao jiaozi (which most closely translates to “money dumplings”). Boiled dumplings are traditionally eaten on Lunar New Year to bring about wealth in the new year, as their unique shape resembles ancient Chinese ingots.

What does Chiu Chow mean? ›

Teochew /tiˈoʊtʃuː/ or Chiuchow /ˈtʃuːtʃaʊ/ (潮州; peng'im: Dio⁵ziu¹ [ti̯o˥˥꜖꜖. tsi̯u˧˧]) is a historical area that is mostly within the modern Chaoshan region, eastern Guangdong, China. Teochew may also refer to: Teochew language, a variety of Southern Min Chinese, commonly used in eastern Guangdong and Southeast Asia.

Are Thai steamed dumplings healthy? ›

Steamed or boiled dumplings are healthy options, but do not forget about your fillings and serving sizes as well. One of the more popular options when it comes to dumplings are meat filled ones.

What are dumplings traditionally made of? ›

Dumplings are most commonly formed from flour or meal bound with egg and then simmered in water or gravy stock until they take on a light cakey texture. Many recipes call for herbs, onions, grated cheese, or chopped meat to be rolled into the dough before cooking.

What's the difference between dumplings and siu mai? ›

Siu mai is another popular dim sum dumpling that is also usually steamed, and filled with pork and shrimp. However, siu mai is wrapped a little differently, though. They're tiny spheres with an open top. And that open top is often filled with a topping of crab roe for color and flavor.

References

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