Dim Sum Sticky Rice Lotus Leaf Wraps (Lo Mai Gai)

4.89 from 17 votes

Dim Sum Sticky Rice Lotus Leaf Wraps (Lo Mai Gai)

For Sunday dim sum, we always order Dim Sum Sticky Rice wrapped in Lotus leaves or Lo Mai Gai (Cantonese) aka Nuo Mi Ji (Mandarin), which are basically steamed sticky rice and chicken wrapped in fragrant lotus leaves.

Prep Time2 15

Cook Time2 15

Total Time4 30

Course: Rice

Cuisine: Chinese

Servings:

Calories: 384kcal

Author: Judy

Ingredients

For the marinade:

2 tablespoon light soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
1 tablespoon ginger (very finely chopped)
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
1 teaspoon cornstarch

You'll also need:

4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into small chunks)
4 cups sticky rice (sweet rice)
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
oil (for cooking)
6 cups mushrooms (we used shiitake and oyster mushrooms; coarsely chopped)
3 cups scallion (chopped)
1 teaspoon sea salt
5 whole lotus leaves (soaked in warm water for 1 hour, rinsed, stems trimmed, and cut in half––or parchment paper)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, stir together the marinade ingredients and add the chicken pieces. Stir well and refrigerate. Soak the sticky rice for 2 hours, drain, and mix with 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce. Set aside.
Over high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil to your wok. When the wok is smoking slightly, add half the mushrooms and stir-fry until they’re browned, tender, and most of the moisture has evaporated. Remove from the wok and set aside. Do the same with the second half of the mushrooms. (Cooking the mushrooms in 2 batches prevents them from getting soggy). Set all the mushrooms aside.
Heat your wok over high heat again with a couple tablespoons oil. Brown the chicken. Mix in the mushrooms, scallions, and salt. Stir-fry for a couple minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Mix this chicken mixture with the soaked rice. Now you’re ready to wrap them in the lotus leaves. Brush a small section on one end of each leaf lightly with oil. Put about ¾ cup of the mixture on the oiled area. Wrap each into a rectangle, tie with kitchen string, and steam for about 90 minutes.
You can serve with a little chili oil or allow them to cool, place into freezer bags, and freeze for later! When you’re ready to eat them, just steam them right out of the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Nutrition