Chiu Chow dumplings, called fun gwo (潮州粉粿) in Cantonese and often spelled fun gor on menus, are translucent half-moon dumplings from the Teochew region of eastern Guangdong. Through a smooth, gently chewy wrapper you can see the filling: pork, dried shrimp, roasted peanuts and chopped vegetables such as jicama, chives and mushroom. Where har gow is all delicacy, fun gwo is about texture, with crunch, chew and a nutty, savoury depth in every bite.
From Teochew country
The Teochew, known in Cantonese as Chiu Chow (潮州), come from the Chaozhou and Shantou area near Guangdong's border with Fujian. They speak their own language, quite different from Cantonese, and their cooking is known for seafood, careful knife work, light braises and a deep repertoire of snacks made from rice and other starches. In Teochew cooking, guo (粿) is a broad family of such snacks, from steamed cakes to filled dumplings.
Fun gwo is one of the best known. Teochew migrants carried it to Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and beyond, and along the way it entered the Cantonese dim sum repertoire, where it has long been a standard steamed item. Its full name on most menus still names its home region.
In Teochew homes, guo of many kinds are made for festivals and ancestral offerings, and fun gwo is also sold as an everyday snack in local markets. In a Cantonese dim sum hall, it is one of the clearest reminders that the dim sum table gathers dishes from all over southern China, not only from Guangzhou.
A folk tale, and a practical dumpling
Like many old dishes, fun gwo comes with a story. One popular folk tale credits a resourceful young woman who, in a lean year, made dumplings from rice flour and whatever fillings the household had. Versions differ, and none can be dated, but the story reflects something true about the dish: it is thrifty and practical, turning modest ingredients into something satisfying.
What goes inside
Recipes vary from family to family and kitchen to kitchen, but a classic filling includes:
- Pork, minced or diced, for richness.
- Dried shrimp, for a concentrated sea-sweet savour.
- Roasted peanuts, the signature crunch.
- Jicama or radish, often both fresh and preserved, for juicy bite.
- Chinese chives, coriander or mushroom, for fragrance.
The wrapper is a hot-water dough of starch, commonly wheat starch with tapioca or rice flour, which stays supple and turns translucent in the steamer. Folding the large crescent and crimping the edge takes a practised hand, and a well-made fun gwo is plump, sealed and slightly glossy.
How to enjoy them
Chiu Chow dumplings come two or three to a basket and are larger than most steamed dim sum.
- Lift them carefully. The wrapper is soft when hot.
- Try a bite plain, then with a little chilli oil or soy sauce if you like.
- Order them for contrast. Their crunchy, nutty filling sets off silkier dishes such as har gow and rice rolls.
Chiu Chow dumplings at Neptune Palace
Our Chiu Chow Style Dumplings (潮州粉粿, menu 102) are on the steamed dim sum menu at both Neptune Palace locations, in Vancouver at Marine Gateway and in Burnaby at The Amazing Brentwood. Like all our dim sum, they are house-made and steamed to order. They are marked on our menu as containing peanuts, so please tell your server about any allergy.
For guests who already know har gow and siu mai, fun gwo is a natural next step into the wider world of southern Chinese dim sum. Dim sum is served every day until 3pm; for weekend tables, calling ahead is recommended.
Questions, answered
What is the difference between Chiu Chow dumplings and har gow?
Both have translucent wrappers, but har gow is a delicate pleated dumpling filled almost entirely with shrimp. Chiu Chow dumplings are larger crescents with a mixed, crunchy filling that includes pork, peanuts and vegetables.
Who are the Teochew people?
The Teochew, or Chiu Chow, come from the Chaozhou and Shantou area of eastern Guangdong. They speak their own language, distinct from Cantonese, and have a celebrated cuisine; large Teochew communities live in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
Do Chiu Chow dumplings contain peanuts?
Traditionally, yes. Our Chiu Chow Style Dumplings (102) are marked on the menu as containing peanuts, so please mention any allergy when ordering.
Does Neptune Palace serve Chiu Chow dumplings at both locations?
Yes. Chiu Chow Style Dumplings (102) are on the steamed dim sum menu at both our Vancouver and Burnaby (Brentwood) restaurants.