Dish Explainer

What Is Siu Mai?

Cantonese dim sum · Chinese name · Ordering guide

Siu mai is a central dim sum item and one of the most common steamed dumplings on Cantonese menus.

Quick answer

Siu mai is an open-topped steamed dumpling commonly made with pork, shrimp, mushroom, and a thin yellow wrapper.

Chinese name Pinyin Cuisine or format Usual heat level
烧卖 shāo mài Cantonese dim sum Mild

What it tastes like

Siu mai is savory, juicy, mildly sweet, and often richer than har gow because it commonly uses pork and shrimp together.

How it appears on menus

It appears in the steamed dim sum section. English menus may spell it siu mai, shu mai, shumai, pork dumpling, or pork-and-shrimp dumpling.

Common variations

  • Cantonese pork-and-shrimp siu mai
  • Pork-only versions
  • Shrimp-heavy versions
  • Fish roe-topped restaurant versions

Dietary issues

Common issues include pork, shrimp, wheat wrapper, egg in some wrappers, soy sauce, and cross-contact in steamers.

What to order with it

Order with har gow, turnip cake, rice noodle rolls, congee, and greens so the meal is not only dumplings.

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