Viral Pork Dumpling Lasagna (Easy Steamed Ramekins)

What makes this viral pork dumpling lasagna different from regular dumplings? No pinching, no pleating, no trying to make everything look perfect. You just layer everything in ramekins, steam them for 20 minutes, and you've got soup dumplings without all the work.

I kept seeing this dumpling lasagna all over TikTok and Instagram and had to try it. It is pure genius-you get the juicy pork and silky wrappers of a soup dumpling without any of the tedious folding or pleating

If you're into easy Asian-inspired recipes that don't require special skills, you'll also love my crispy chicken bites, these teriyaki pork bowls, and my quick fried rice. They all have that same "looks fancy but actually simple" vibe that makes weeknight cooking fun instead of stressful.

💗 Why You'll Love This Recipe

• No Dumpling Folding Required. You skip all the tedious pleating and pinching. Just stack, steam, and you're done.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Assemble them in the morning, steam them when you're hungry. Perfect for busy weeknights.
• Uses Everyday Ingredients. Most of what you need is probably sitting in your pantry or fridge right now.
• Whether you call them wonton lasagna cups or dumpling cupcakes, this method is the ultimate weeknight hack.

🥘 Ingredients

*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• Ground Pork: About 20-25% fat - this keeps the filling juicy and not dry.
• Napa Cabbage: Finely chopped; green cabbage can be used if needed.
• Dark Soy Sauce: Optional but useful to have for colour and depth.
• Chili Oil (for Serving): Add to taste or serve on the side.
• Dumpling Wrappers: Round wheat wrappers work best.

♻️ Substitutions/Variations

• Protein Swaps: Swap the pork for turkey, chicken, or beef. For a meatless version, crumbled tofu or chopped mushrooms work great.
• Wrapper Options: I use round dumpling wrappers because they are thick and sturdy. Wonton wrappers work too, or you can even use softened lasagna sheets cut into squares. I also love using cabbage layers for a tasty low-carb option. (If you have filling leftovers, use them for my 30-minute Korean keema).

• Wine Alternatives: No Shaoxing wine? Use dry sherry or mix 1 tablespoon mirin with ½ tablespoon rice vinegar. You can also skip it completely.
• Extra Veggies: Add finely chopped carrots for sweetness, bok choy for a bitter edge, or mushrooms for extra umami flavor and extra moisture. Chop them small so everything cooks evenly.
• Kid-Friendly Version: Leave the chili oil off or serve it on the side. I like setting out soy sauce and rice vinegar so everyone can customize their own ramekin.
• No Ramekins? Use oven-safe bowls for bigger portions (add 5-10 minutes) or make one giant version in a soufflé dish and steam for 35 minutes.

The Secret is the Steam

Steaming in a ramekin creates a pressurized environment that cooks the pork evenly while the 2 tablespoons of water soften the wrappers into silky, noodle-like layers. This method mimics the inside of a soup dumpling, trapping all the juices and umami-rich flavors inside the "cupcake" stack rather than letting them escape.

👩‍🍳 How To Make Pork Dumpling Lasagna

Step 1: Start by adding the ground meat, chopped vegetables, and all the liquid seasonings to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Stir the mixture thoroughly until it becomes slightly sticky. This helps the meat soak up all those liquids.

Step 3: Spoon some mixture into each ramekin, press it down gently, and top with a wrapper to start your first layer.

Step 4: Place them in a covered pot and let them steam for about 20 minutes until everything is cooked through.

Once I carefully remove the hot ramekins, I drizzle them with chili oil and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

*See the recipe card for detailed instructions. 

Serving Suggestions

Pair these ramekins with my sticky glazed Asian meat for a perfect feast. This combination offers an amazing mix of soft and crispy textures.

You can also round out the meal with some healthy spicy egg fried rice. It takes just 20 minutes to prepare and adds a healthy serving of vegetables for a complete family dinner.

💭 Expert Tips

• Leave Expansion Space: Leave a little room at the top of each ramekin so the wrappers can expand.
• Check Water Levels: Adjust the water slightly based on the depth of your ramekin; you want enough to create steam without drowning the bottom layer.
• Remove Air Pockets: Press each layer gently to remove air and help the layers stick together.
• Steady Steaming: Use medium-high heat to ensure steady steam without evaporating the water too quickly.
• Let It Set: Let the ramekins rest for 2-3 minutes after steaming so the juices settle.
• The Fluffy Trick: Add a pinch of baking soda to the meat mixture for a tender, fluffy texture.
• Meal Prep: Double the batch and freeze them for an easy, ready-to-steam weeknight meal.

❓ Viral Pork Dumpling Lasagna FAQs 

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📖 Recipe

Viral Pork Dumpling Lasagna

Claudia Ciorteanu

Viral pork dumpling lasagna made easy in ramekins! Layer seasoned ground pork with wonton wrappers, steam until tender, then top with chili oil and green onions.

5 from 14 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese-American

Servings 6

Calories 255 kcal

Video

Equipment

• ▢
  5-6 ramekins (6 oz / 175ml each)
• ▢
  Large pot with lid for steaming

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Layers

• ▢ 12-15 dumpling wrappers or wonton wrappers
• ▢ 2 tablespoons water for each ramekin

For the Pork Filling

• ▢ 12 oz ground pork (350g)
• ▢ 1 cup napa cabbage finely chopped (100g)
• ▢ 2 green onions finely chopped
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• ▢ 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• ▢ 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or mirin
• ▢ Salt and black pepper to taste
• ▢ 4 tablespoons cold water

For Serving

• ▢ Sliced green onions
• ▢ Sesame seeds
• ▢ Chili oil adjust to preference

Instructions

 

• Mix the Filling: Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the ground pork with chopped cabbage, green onions, minced garlic, and fresh ginger. Add the cornstarch, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and Shaoxing wine. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the cold water and mix everything together until it looks completely combined. The mixture should feel slightly sticky but not wet.
  12 oz ground pork, 1 cup napa cabbage, 2 green onions, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or mirin, Salt and black pepper, 4 tablespoons cold water
• Start Layering: Take your first ramekin and add one spoonful of the pork filling to the bottom. Press it down gently so it's flat. Place a wonton wrapper directly on top of the filling. The wrapper should cover most of the filling but doesn't need to be perfect.
  12-15 dumpling wrappers or wonton wrappers
• Continue Building Layers: Add another spoonful of filling on top of the first wrapper. Press down gently again. Add another wrapper. Keep going until you have three layers of filling and three layers of wrappers. The ramekin should be almost full but not overflowing.
• Before you add the final wrapper on top, pour 2 tablespoons of water into each ramekin. This creates steam inside the ramekin and gives you that soupy, juicy texture. Cover with one last wonton wrapper to seal everything in. Press the edges down slightly.
  2 tablespoons water for each ramekin
• Steam: Fill a large pot with water so it comes halfway up the sides of your ramekins. Place the ramekins in the pot. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Turn the heat to low-medium and steam for 20 minutes. You'll know they're done when the pork is cooked through and the wrappers look translucent and soft.
• Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the ramekins from the pot using tongs or a kitchen towel (they'll be hot!). Drizzle chili oil over the top of each one. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve them straight from the ramekin while they're still steaming hot.

Notes

Make sure water only comes halfway up the ramekin sides when steaming. Too much water can make the dumplings soggy. Use ground pork with at least 15-20% fat for the juiciest results.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 12gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 675mgPotassium: 244mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 86IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg

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