Abalone Dumplings Recipe: A Fusion of Flavour and Tradition

By Kittipat Esposito for Ocean Road Abalone

Dumplings are a symbol of comfort and community, enjoyed around the world in endless variations. At Ocean Road Abalone, we’ve taken this timeless classic and added a ORA twist—by incorporating the delicate, oceanic flavour of our sustainably farmed abalone.

This recipe combines tender abalone with juicy pork and sweet prawns to create a dumpling filling that’s both rich and balanced. Perfect for a casual family dinner or an impressive dish for guests, these dumplings can be steamed or boiled, served solo or the filling can be used to make warming wonton soup.

But dumplings are more than just food—they’re an experience. Folding them is a hands-on activity that connects you to the process of creating something special, whether you’re making a big batch for meal prep or a small portion to savour fresh. With this recipe, you’ll discover just how versatile and approachable abalone can be, bringing the essence of the Southern Ocean to your table in the most delicious way.

Ready to try? Let’s make some dumplings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. A Fusion of Flavours: The briny sweetness of abalone, the richness of pork, and the subtle flavour of prawns create a perfectly balanced filling that’s sure to impress.
2. A Versatile Recipe: These dumplings aren’t just for steaming or boiling—they’re the perfect addition to wonton soup! Simply cook the dumplings and serve them in a fragrant broth with egg noodles and fresh vegetables for a wholesome, warming meal.
3. Home-Cooked Comfort: Dumpling-making is a rewarding hands-on activity, whether you’re cooking with friends, family, or prepping ahead for the week.
4. Everyday Ingredients, Gourmet Results: This recipe turns canned or retort-packed abalone into a delicious centrepiece that’s easy to prepare but feels special.

Makes:

• 60 small dumplings/wontons (15g each)
• 20 large dumplings (45g each)

Ingredients

Dumplings: 1 can Abalone (diced, plus extra for garnish for large dumplings) 400g Pork mince (chilled) 250g Prawns (deveined and tailed) 50g Tapioca flour (for prawns) 75g Crushed ice 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine 1 Egg white 2 tsp Sugar ½ tsp Salt 1 tsp Sesame oil ¼ tsp Ground black pepper 1 tbsp Soy sauce 8g Cornflour 1–2 pkts Wonton wrappers

Dipping Sauce: 2 tbsp Soy sauce 2 tbsp Rice vinegar 1 tbsp Raw sugar 1 tsp Chilli oil ¼ tsp Sesame oil ¼ tsp Sesame seeds 1 tbsp Water

 

Cooking Tips Keep It Chilled: Ensure your filling stays cold while assembling the dumplings to maintain texture. Seal It Right: Use a bit of water to help seal the edges of the wonton wrappers securely. Customise Your Veggies: Add bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, or spring onions to wonton soup for a complete meal.

Serving Suggestions As a Snack or Appetiser: Pair with the dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing starter. In Wonton Soup: Cook the dumplings and serve with egg noodles, broth, and fresh vegetables for a comforting bowl of soup. With a Twist: Add the dumplings to a stir-fry or toss them in garlic butter for a unique take on this classic recipe.

Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Prawns

1. Toss prawns in tapioca flour, ensuring they’re fully coated.
2. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flour to firm up.
3. Rinse prawns under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and keep chilled.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. In a food processor, combine pork mince, crushed ice, Chinese cooking wine, egg white, soy sauce, sugar, salt, sesame oil, black pepper, and cornflour. Blend for about 5 minutes until smooth.
2. Add prawns to the processor and blend for another 5 minutes until the mixture is well combined.
3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, dice the abalone, and fold it into the pork and prawn mixture. Keep chilled.

Step 3: Assemble the Dumplings

1. Place 1 teaspoon (15g) of filling in the centre of each wonton wrapper. Fold and seal the edges tightly. Repeat until all the filling is used.
2. For larger dumplings, use 45g of filling per wrapper and shape into a cup. Top with a piece of sliced abalone as a garnish.

Step 4: Cook the Dumplings

• For Small Dumplings: Boil in a pot of water for 5 minutes. Drain and serve hot with dipping sauce.
• For Large Dumplings: Place about 45g of the filling on a wonton wrapper, shaping it into a cup. For an extra special touch, top each dumpling with a slice of whole abalone or a whole abalone depending on the abalone weight as a cap before steaming. Cook in a steamer for 12 minutes until fully cooked and tender.

Step 5: Make the Dipping Sauce

1. Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, raw sugar, chilli oil, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and water in a bowl.
2. Serve alongside the dumplings for dipping.

Why Choose Ocean Road Abalone for Your Dumplings?

At Ocean Road Abalone, we’re passionate about making abalone part of everyday meals. Using our retort-packed or canned abalone makes this recipe simple and convenient while bringing a fresh, oceanic flavour to your home.

Give these dumplings a try—they’re a celebration of tradition and Australian produce, perfect for any occasion!