What Hopsingss Are and Where to Find Them in South Carolina

Hopsingss are Chinese dumplings filled with shrimp, pork, or vegetables, served as a dim sum staple

Hopsingss (also spelled har gow or haw gow) are small, crescent-shaped dumplings with a translucent rice-flour wrapper that lets you see the filling inside. The most common version holds shrimp and bamboo shoots, though you'll find pork, vegetable, and mixed versions at dim sum restaurants across South Carolina. The wrapper itself is delicate and slightly chewy, made from tapioca starch and wheat starch rather than regular flour, which gives it that signature slippery texture.

In Cantonese cuisine, hopsingss rank among the most recognizable dim sum items—they're often one of the first carts to roll through a dining room during a traditional dim sum service. The shrimp filling is usually minced and mixed with bamboo shoots and sometimes water chestnuts for crunch. A well-made hopsingss has a wrapper thin enough to tear easily but strong enough not to split during steaming, and the filling should taste fresh and lightly seasoned rather than salty.

Key Takeaways

• Hopsingss are steamed shrimp dumplings with a translucent wrapper, most commonly found at dim sum restaurants during weekend service.
• The wrapper is made from tapioca and wheat starch, not regular flour, which creates the characteristic slippery, slightly chewy texture.
• Charleston's Chinatown district and Greenville's Asian dining corridor both have restaurants serving hopsingss as part of their dim sum menu.
• Dim sum service typically runs Friday through Sunday, with hopsingss appearing early in the cart rotation when they're freshest.
• You can also find frozen hopsingss at Asian markets in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville if you want to steam them at home.

Where to Order Hopsingss in Charleston

Charleston's dim sum scene centers on King Street and the surrounding blocks, where several restaurants serve hopsingss during their weekend dim sum service. Yen's Restaurant on King Street has been a steady source for traditional dim sum, including hopsingss, served from carts that roll through the dining room on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings and afternoons. The restaurant fills up quickly on weekend mornings, so arriving before 11 a.m. usually means shorter waits and fresher batches of dumplings.

Mei Restaurant, also on King Street, offers dim sum service with a menu that includes hopsingss alongside other Cantonese specialties. The space is larger than some competitors, which can mean less crowded conditions during peak hours, though the dim sum carts still move steadily through the room. Both restaurants price hopsingss by the plate or basket, typically in the $3 to $5 range per order.

If you're in the downtown area, Crosby's Fish & Shrimp Company occasionally features dim sum items including hopsingss as part of their Cantonese-influenced menu, though their service is less traditional cart-based than the King Street establishments. Call ahead to confirm they're serving dim sum on the day you plan to visit.

Dim Sum Service in Greenville and the Upstate

Greenville's Asian dining corridor along Pelham Road has expanded in recent years, and Mei Wei Asian Cuisine serves dim sum on weekends with hopsingss among the rotating cart offerings. The restaurant is smaller than Charleston's dim sum halls, which means a more intimate experience but also potentially longer waits during peak hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

In Columbia, Jade Garden on Forest Drive serves dim sum during weekend hours, though their cart service is less extensive than Charleston's larger establishments. Call to confirm they're running dim sum service on the specific day you plan to visit, as some weeks they may adjust hours or offerings based on staffing.

Upstate restaurants tend to have less frequent dim sum service than Charleston, so checking ahead by phone is worth the effort. Many will tell you whether hopsingss are on that day's cart rotation, which saves a trip if you have your heart set on them.

What to Expect During Dim Sum Service

Dim sum service works differently from ordering off a menu. You sit at a table, and servers push carts laden with small plates and baskets through the dining room. When a cart passes, you point to what you want, and they place it on your table. Each plate or basket gets marked with a stamp or ticket, and your bill is calculated at the end based on how many items you ordered and what they cost.

Hopsingss usually appear early in the service rotation because they're steamed fresh throughout the meal. If you don't see them on the first few carts, ask your server—they can often bring a fresh batch from the kitchen. The dumplings are best eaten immediately after they arrive, while the wrapper is still warm and the filling is hot.

Dim sum service typically runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends, though some restaurants extend into early evening. Arriving between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. usually offers a balance between having a good selection of items available and avoiding the absolute peak crowd.

Buying Frozen Hopsingss at Asian Markets

If you want to steam hopsingss at home, most Asian markets in South Carolina stock frozen versions. Lucky Food Mart in Charleston, H-Mart in Greenville, and Asian Food Market in Columbia all carry frozen hopsingss in their freezer sections, usually from brands like Dynasty, Hong Kong Style, or local suppliers. Packages typically contain 8 to 12 dumplings and cost between $4 and $7.

To steam frozen hopsingss at home, place them in a bamboo steamer or metal steamer basket lined with parchment paper, cover them, and steam for 8 to 10 minutes over boiling water. They don't need to thaw first. Serve them immediately with soy sauce, chili oil, or vinegar for dipping. The homemade version won't match the texture of restaurant hopsingss made fresh throughout the day, but it's a reasonable approximation if you're craving them between dim sum outings.

How Hopsingss Fit Into a Dim Sum Meal

Hopsingss are typically one of the first items you'll order at dim sum, partly because they're popular and partly because they're relatively light. A traditional dim sum meal might start with hopsingss, move through other shrimp and pork dumplings, include some vegetable or tofu items, and finish with a sweet dumpling or pastry. Most people order 2 to 4 baskets of hopsingss as part of a larger spread, rather than making them the entire meal.

The shrimp filling pairs well with the other proteins and vegetables you'll encounter on the carts, so hopsingss work as an opening course that doesn't overwhelm your appetite for what comes next. If you're new to dim sum, ordering hopsingss early gives you a sense of the pace and style of service before you commit to a full table's worth of dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between hopsingss and shumai?

Hopsingss have a translucent, crescent-shaped wrapper made from tapioca starch, while shumai have a thicker, wheat-based wrapper that's gathered at the top like a small purse. Hopsingss are usually filled with shrimp and bamboo shoots; shumai typically contain pork and shrimp. Both are steamed dim sum items, but they're distinct dumplings.

Can I eat hopsingss if I'm allergic to shellfish?

Most hopsingss contain shrimp, so they're not safe if you have a shellfish allergy. Some restaurants offer vegetable or pork versions—ask your server before ordering. If you're dining at a restaurant where dim sum carts roll through, confirm the filling with the server before they place the plate on your table.

Why is the wrapper translucent?

The wrapper is made from tapioca starch and wheat starch rather than regular wheat flour, which creates a translucent appearance and a slippery, slightly chewy texture. This combination also makes the wrapper more delicate and allows the filling to show through, which is part of the dumpling's visual appeal.

Do I need to make a reservation for dim sum?

Reservations aren't usually required for dim sum, but calling ahead on busy weekend mornings can help you understand wait times. Larger restaurants like those on Charleston's King Street can often seat walk-ins, but smaller establishments in Greenville or Columbia may have limited seating during peak hours.

What should I dip hopsingss in?

Soy sauce is the most common dip, though many dim sum tables also offer chili oil, vinegar, or a combination of soy and vinegar. Some restaurants provide a small dish of chili sauce or sriracha. Try a small amount of each to see what you prefer—there's no single correct answer.