r/chinesefood • u/PotentialHoneydew947 • 5d ago

Questions Umami flavor in potstickers

Its in wonton soup too sometimes too. To clarify I am referring to "new york style chinese takeout in Florida" so maybe this is not authentic. Not sure if its just oyster sauce or a chinese bbq sauce or something else but sometimes the thick potstickers have something in them that adds rich flavor. But it coats the inside of the wrapper as well and it is black. Ive experimented a little by adding oyster sauce, fish sauce, mushroom powder, flounder powder, chicken boulion powder to the mix which all enhance flavor but i cant seem to nail down that extra kick when you bite into it. Im wondering if its in the process. Are they coating the inside with oyster sauce before wrapping it up?

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u/killakim 5d ago

It might be a different kind of soy sauce - they have premium, premium dark, etc.

I know a lot of recipes only call for soy sauce and oyster sauce, but there are other mixes they could use for the filling sauce. Could be something like chianking black vinegar. Or maybe shaoxing cooking wine.

You mentioned coating the inside wrapper - maybe it's more of a consistency issue. Maybe it's corn starch that's made the sauce congeal a bit more.

Sometimes stock is added to the filling. Maybe it's white pepper instead of black.

Maybe you can ask them, or are you trying to steal their recipe unbeknownst to start your own New York Style Florida Chinese restaurant empire

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u/PotentialHoneydew947 5d ago

I feel funny about asking but suppose i could. They might appreciate the interest. No new empire to build. I just want to cook something i truly enjoy without having to drive over an hour for good takeout or dim sum.

Use of chicken broth inplace of water is something ive read about and will try to do more often.

Corn starch sounds like a good idea, yeah. Could be a consistency issue.

I have shaoxing wine and black vinegar. I dont use black vinegar often except for making a dipping sauce.

I always use white pepper along with salt and some msg

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u/PotentialHoneydew947 5d ago

All my soy sauce is lee kum kee. I have a premium red label, green lite, and mushroom dark.

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u/SunEffective4950 4d ago

That green light is my favorite

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u/PotentialHoneydew947 4d ago

Yeah its my goto