3 Viral Hong Kong Cafe & Dim Sum Recipes Using Trader Joe’s Umami Seasoning

3 Viral Hong Kong Cafe & Dim Sum Recipes Using Trader Joe’s Umami Seasoning

If you are a fan of quick, restaurant-quality comfort food, your spice cabinet is probably already hiding a certified flavor superpower: Trader Joe’s Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning. Packed with ground porcini and white button mushrooms, this little jar is a shortcut to deep, savory flavor.

Today, we are skipping the standard roasted veggies and bringing this western grocery favorite straight into the vibrant world of Cantonese comfort food. From a macro-balanced, 10-minute noodle bowl to a brilliant "lazy girl" dim sum hack, here are three incredible ways to upgrade your weeknight dinners using Trader Joe's Umami Seasoning.

Quick Recipe Navigation 

  1. TJ's Umami Butter Shiitake Yam Noodles
  2. No-Fold Umami Pork & Chive "Blanket" Dumplings
  3. Umami Black Pepper Baked Chicken Rice

👉 CLICK HERE TO BUY TRADER JOE'S UMAMI SEASONING NOW

10-Minute Upgrade: TJ's Umami Butter Shiitake Yam Noodles

Prep time: 3 minutes | Cook time: 7 minutes | Servings: 1

Flavor Profile: A modern, macro-balanced twist on iconic Hong Kong cafe-style soy sauce noodles.

Many instant noodle recipes leave you feeling sluggish, but this recipe swaps regular fried ramen for Sau Tao Dried Non-Fried Yam Noodles.

Why Yam Noodles? If you've never tried them, they are a massive upgrade from basic instant noodles! Not only are they non-fried and far lower in empty calories, but yam noodles naturally possess an incredible, extra-chewy texture ("QQ" as we call it in Cantonese) that captures glossy sauces beautifully without ever getting mushy.

Ingredients

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Fry the Egg (Your Protein Base): Heat a small splash of oil in a wok or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Crack in your egg and fry it until the edges are crispy and lacy, but the yolk is still beautifully runny. Slide it onto a plate and set it aside. Wipe the pan clean.

Cook the Yam Noodles: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Drop in one cake of Sau Tao Yam Noodles and set a timer for 3 minutes. At the 3-minute mark, they will be perfectly al dente. Crucial Step: Before draining, scoop out 3 tablespoons of the noodle cooking water and set it aside. Drain the noodles and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking.

Sauté the Shiitake Mushrooms: Place your noodle pan back on the stove over medium heat and melt the 1.5 tablespoons of butter. Toss in your thinly sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms. Sauté them in the bubbling butter for 2 minutes until they soften, brown slightly at the edges, and soak up that rich butter.

Bloom the TJ's Umami Seasoning: Turn the heat down to medium-low. Sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of Trader Joe’s Umami Seasoning directly over the buttery shiitake mushrooms. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds. The heat will bloom the porcini powder, onion, and mustard seed in the blend, creating an incredibly aromatic, savory base.

Toss the Noodles & Glaze: Turn the heat back up to medium. Add the drained Yam Noodles into the pan with the mushrooms. Pour in the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. Using tongs or chopsticks, toss vigorously to coat every strand of noodle.

The Emulsification Trick: Splash in your 3 tablespoons of reserved noodle water. Keep tossing the noodles for another 60 seconds. The starch from the yam noodles will combine with the melted butter and soy sauce, creating a silky, glossy glaze that clings perfectly to the noodles without being greasy.

Garnish & Serve! Plate up your noodles, making sure to scoop all those buttery shiitake mushrooms on top. Crown the dish with your crispy fried egg, and garnish generously with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

 

Dim Sum Twist: No-Fold Umami Pork & Chive "Blanket" Dumplings

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Yield: ~12 dumplings

Flavor Profile: The viral "lazy girl" dumpling method meets classic Hong Kong dim sum flavors.

Traditional pork and chive dumplings require a lot of prep work—finely grating ginger, balancing white pepper, and mastering tedious folding skills. This recipe cuts the prep time in half. Because the Trader Joe’s Umami powder already contains ground ginger, onion, and earthy mushroom tones, it brings instant depth to the pork. Combined with a zero-folding "blanket" technique, you get crispy dim sum dumplings with none of the frustration.

Ingredients

For the Umami Pork Filling:

  • 1/2 lb Ground pork (regular, not extra-lean, to keep the dumplings juicy)
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Chinese chives (Gau Choy), finely chopped
  • 1/2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning
  • 1/2 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp Toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp Cornstarch (crucial for locking in the meat juices)
  • 1 clove Garlic, finely minced

For Assembly & Cooking:

  • 12 Round dumpling or gyoza wrappers
  • 1 tsp Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • ½ cup Water (for steaming)

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mix the Dim Sum Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ground pork, finely chopped Chinese chives, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and Trader Joe’s Umami Seasoning. Mix vigorously with a pair of chopsticks or a fork in one direction until the meat becomes slightly sticky and paste-like. Why? Mixing in one direction helps the proteins bind, ensuring your dumpling filling stays plump and doesn't crumble apart when cooking!

Portion the Meatballs: Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large non-stick pan over low heat. Carefully place 1 heaping tablespoon of the pork mixture onto the pan, one at a time, leaving a tiny bit of space between each one.

Tuck the "Blankets": Take a dumpling wrapper and place it directly over a meat mound. Gently press and squeeze the wrapper down around the sides of the meat so it adheres snugly, leaving the very bottom of the meat mound exposed and flat against the hot pan. Repeat for all 12 mounds.

Sear the Bottoms: Turn the fire up to medium or medium-high. Let them sear undisturbed for 2 minutes until the pork bottoms turn into a beautiful, golden-brown crust.

Steam to Perfection: Pour the 1/2 cup of water directly into the pan around the dumplings (it will hiss and steam instantly!) and immediately pop a tight-fitting lid on the skillet. Let them steam for 5 to 6 minutes. You'll know they are close when the dumpling wrappers become translucent and wrinkled.

The Final Crisp Up: Remove the lid. Let the remaining water bubble away completely (about 1–2 more minutes). Once the water evaporates, the oil left behind will re-crisp those pork bottoms to absolute perfection.

Serve & Garnish: Carefully slide them onto a plate crisp-side up to showcase that glorious crunch! Serve immediately with a side of Chinese black vinegar and chili crisp.


HK Cafe Classic: Umami Black Pepper Baked Chicken Rice

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Servings: 1

Flavor Profile: A cozy, high-protein weeknight portion of the iconic Hong Kong cafe baked casserole.

If you’ve ever stepped into a traditional Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng (cafe), you know that baked rice casseroles are the ultimate comfort food. This single-serving recipe pairs the punchy kick of coarsely cracked black pepper with the deep, earthy undertones of mushroom umami, all topped with a bubbly layer of melted cheese.

Ingredients

For the Chicken & Marinade:

For the Black Pepper Sauce & Rice Base:

  • 1 cup Cooked jasmine rice (day-old cold rice works best!)
  • ½ small Yellow onion (sliced thin)
  • 1 clove Garlic (minced)
  • ½ tbsp Butter (or vegetable oil)
  • ½ cup Chicken broth
  • ½ tbsp Oyster sauce
  • ½ tsp Light soy sauce
  • ½ tsp Coarsely cracked black pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
  • ½ tsp Trader Joe’s Umami Seasoning (for the sauce)
  • ½ tsp Cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (slurry to thicken)
  • Top Layer: ¼ cup shredded Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: In a small bowl, toss your bite-sized chicken pieces with ½ tsp of Trader Joe's Umami Seasoning, ½ tsp cornstarch, and the Shaoxing wine. Let it marinate for 5–10 minutes while you prep the onion.

Sear the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat a tiny splash of oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and sear for 3 minutes until golden brown on the outside. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside (it will finish cooking completely in the oven).

Build the Black Pepper Sauce: In the same skillet, melt your ½ tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and garlic, sautéing for 2 minutes until soft. Sprinkle in the cracked black pepper and the other ½ tsp of TJ's Umami Seasoning. Stir quickly for 30 seconds to let the aromatics bloom in the melting butter.

Simmer and Thicken: Pour in the chicken broth, oyster sauce, and light soy sauce. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Give your small cornstarch slurry a quick stir and pour it into the pan. Stir continuously for 60 seconds until the sauce becomes a thick, glossy gravy. Turn off the heat and stir the seared chicken back in.

Assemble the Bake: In a single-serving oven-safe dish (like a small baking dish or a deep ceramic ramekin), layer your 1 cup of cooked jasmine rice along the bottom. Pour the chicken and the luxurious black pepper umami gravy right over the top. Cover evenly with your ¼ cup of shredded cheese.

Bake and Broil: Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes until the cheese is entirely melted. Switch your oven to "Broil" for the final 90 seconds to get those gorgeous, characteristic caramelized brown spots on top of the cheese. Let it cool for 2 minutes before diving in!

Which Trader Joe's Shortcut Recipe Are You Making First?

Whether you're treating yourself to a quick lunch of Umami Butter Shiitake Noodles, whipping up a fast batch of "Blanket" Dumplings, or cozying up with a Baked Chicken Rice, this Trader Joe's spice blend makes global flavor exploration incredibly easy.

Leave a comment below and let us know your favorite way to use Trader Joe's Umami Seasoning! 

Tag us @HongKongFoodies on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your creations!

Ready to start your own Umami adventure? Don't wait—our stock flies off the shelves!

👉 CLICK HERE TO BUY TRADER JOE'S UMAMI SEASONING NOW

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