Cook and Sell Dumplings

These traditional basket-shaped dumplings are called siu mai, which translates as “cook and sell, ” to indicate that they are so good that the moment they are cooked and out of the pot they are bought and eaten. The tops are open and are often decorated before steaming with such foods as dried fish roe, green peas, and grated hard-boiled egg yolks. They are typically served with a cooked sauce of oil and soy (see note).