Hong You Chao Shou (Sichuan Wontons in Chilli Oil)
Silky pork wontons in a punchy dressing of chilli oil, garlic and black vinegar, the classic Sichuan street snack.
Made with Chinese chilli oil. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.49 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the pork, spring onions, ginger, 1 tbsp soy sauce, sesame oil, 1 tsp sugar and salt. Stir hard in one direction for 2 minutes until the mixture is sticky and paste like.
- 2
Put a wonton wrapper in your palm. Spoon 1 heaped tsp filling in the centre. Wet the edges, fold into a triangle and press out the air. Pinch the two long corners together. Repeat with the rest.
- 3
For the dressing, mix the 2 tbsp soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, 1 tsp sugar and water in a large bowl. Stir in your ready made Chinese chilli oil (see the base recipe).
- 4
Bring a large pan of water to a gentle boil. Cook the wontons in two batches for 4 to 5 minutes until they float and the filling is cooked through, with no pink.
4 min 30 s - 5
Lift them out with a slotted spoon, letting the water drain, and tip into the bowl of dressing.
- 6
Toss gently and serve straight away with a spoon of the dressing over each portion.
Tips
- Cover filled wontons with a damp tea towel while you work, or the wrappers will dry and crack.
- Cook in plenty of gently boiling water. A hard boil can burst the wrappers.
- Freeze uncooked wontons on a tray, then bag them. Cook from frozen for 6 to 7 minutes.
Storing and freezing
Cooked wontons are best eaten at once. Uncooked wontons freeze for up to 2 months. Cooked leftovers keep 1 day in the fridge and should be reheated until steaming hot.
Questions
Can I make them gluten free?
Wonton wrappers contain wheat, so this version is not gluten free. Gluten free dumpling wrappers exist but vary, so follow their packet instructions.
Where do I buy wonton wrappers?
Chinese and Asian supermarkets sell them fresh or frozen, and some larger UK supermarkets stock them in the chilled or world foods aisle.
Can I use chicken or prawns?
Yes. Finely chopped raw prawns or chicken thigh mince work well. Make sure the filling is cooked all the way through.
How hot is it?
Medium. Use less chilli oil for a milder dressing or add extra at the table.
More made with chinese chilli oil
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
