Chinese Soup Dumplings, known as Xiao Long Bao, are delicate steamed dumplings filled with savoury meat and a rich, gelatinised stock that melts into soup during steaming. This Chinese Soup Dumplings recipe walks through traditional dough making, jelly stock preparation and the classic pleating technique required to create perfectly sealed dumplings with a burst of soup inside.

The secret to Xiao Long Bao is setting a concentrated stock with agar agar or gelatin, cutting it into small cubes and folding it into the filling. As the dumplings steam, the jelly melts, creating that signature pool of hot soup beneath the tender filling. Proper rolling technique ensures thin edges with a slightly thicker centre to prevent breakage.

Sticky BBQ Char Siu Bao are soft, fluffy steamed buns filled with rich, caramelised homemade char siu pork. This Sticky BBQ Char Siu Bao recipe uses a classic thick to thin

sauce ratio of hoisin, ketchup and sugar balanced with dark soy and rice vinegar, then slow roasted for deep flavour before being folded into pillowy bao dough.

Char siu bao are a Cantonese dim sum favourite. The key is sticky, well reduced pork filling that is not too wet, paired with a light, slightly sweet steamed dough.

Hoisin Duck Spring Rolls are a crispy Cantonese inspired snack filled with savoury duck, spring onion and a rich hoisin based sauce. The duck breast is first crisped in a pan to render the fat and intensify its flavour before being sliced and marinated with sweet, salty and umami sauces. Wrapped tightly in spring roll pastry and deep fried until golden, these rolls deliver a crunchy exterior with a juicy, flavour packed duck filling.

Crispy Lattice Bottom Dumplings

Amazing Duck & Hoisin Gyoza combine crispy duck breast with sweet hoisin sauce and classic dumpling technique to create the ultimate pan-fried dumpling. This Amazing Duck & Hoisin Gyoza recipe uses pre-cooked crispy duck, finely chopped and marinated with oyster sauce, sweet chilli and sesame oil for a rich, juicy filling.

Finished with a signature crispy lattice base, these gyoza are pan fried until golden, then steamed to cook the pastry through before forming a delicate, crackling dumpling skirt. The result is crisp underneath, tender on top and packed with savoury duck flavour.

Simple and Tasty Pork Spring Rolls are crispy, golden parcels filled with seasoned minced pork and crunchy vegetables. This Simple and Tasty Pork Spring Rolls recipe focuses on building flavour in the filling first, removing excess moisture, then deep frying at a controlled temperature to achieve maximum crunch without bursting the pastry.

Spring rolls are a classic Chinese takeaway favourite, often made with leftover vegetables and minced meat. The key to success is cooking the filling briefly, draining it thoroughly and allowing it to cool before wrapping.

Prep time: 35 minutes plus cooling

Pan Fried Dumplings

Chinese Pork Potstickers are a classic dim sum favourite, known for their crisp golden base and juicy, tender filling. This Chinese Pork Potstickers recipe follows a traditional method, making the dough from scratch, hand rolling each wrapper and cooking the dumplings using the pan fry and steam technique that gives potstickers their signature texture.

Potstickers get their name from the way they crisp up on the base of the pan before being steamed through. The contrast between the crunchy underside and the soft, pleated top is what makes them so satisfying.

These Hong Kong-style Baked Char Siu Bao are soft, fluffy buns filled with sweet, sticky barbecued pork. Unlike steamed bao, these are baked to a golden finish, giving a light crust while keeping the inside pillowy and rich with savoury-sweet char siu filling.

These Leftover Roast Bombay Potatoes are a delicious twist on the classic Indian side dish, transforming crispy roast potatoes into a rich, spicy tomato curry packed with aromatic spices, fresh coriander and warming chilli. Perfect as a side or a satisfying meal on its own.

Mie Ayam is a popular Indonesian noodle dish featuring egg noodles served in a light chicken broth and topped with savoury stir fried chicken. The chicken is cooked with aromatic ginger and garlic before being coated in sweet Indonesian kecap manis, creating a rich caramelised glaze. The dish is layered with tender pork meatballs, shredded chicken, fresh greens and crispy fried shallots, giving a balanced bowl full of texture and flavour.

Simple and Delicious Indonesian Yellow Curry is a vibrant coconut based curry built around fresh aromatics, turmeric and tender turkey leg meat. This Simple and Delicious Indonesian Yellow Curry recipe focuses on creating a coarse spice paste, slowly frying it until fragrant, then gradually adding coconut milk to intensify flavour and develop natural richness.

Inspired by Indonesian home cooking, this yellow curry relies on fresh ingredients rather than heavy spice powders. The gradual addition of coconut milk helps separate the oils, deepening colour and flavour while keeping the sauce light and fragrant.