Most Popular Nutritious Steamed Dishes for Autumn

1. Glutinous Rice Meatballs

This surprising combination of糯米 and meat creates a festival-worthy dish many have never tried—a true hidden gem worth discovering. Start by soaking last year's leftover glutinous rice in water. Mix minced meat with the soaked rice, adding carrot dices, corn kernels, and chopped scallions. Season with salt, chicken essence, sugar, light soy sauce, and oyster sauce, mixing thoroughly by hand. Add two eggs and combine until incorporated—even picky eaters will love this preparation. Form the mixture into round balls and arrange on a plate. Steam over high heat for 20 minutes once the water boils. These glutinous rice meatballs offer a delightful combination of aromatic, tender meat and rice—a complete meal that's both simple to prepare and utterly delicious.

2. Steamed Spare Ribs with Tofu Skin

A Cantonese favorite that's both simple to prepare and incredibly flavorful. In a bowl, combine minced garlic, ginger, and scallions, then pour hot oil over to release their fragrances. Add a little salt, sugar, light soy sauce, and oyster sauce, mixing well. Pour this over spare ribs, add some shiitake mushrooms and a spoonful of starch, then mix by hand and marinate for 10 minutes. Place tofu skin at the bottom of a plate, arrange the ribs on top, and steam over high heat for 15 minutes after the water boils. The result is tender, flavorful ribs the whole family will love.

3. Corn and Lotus Root Steamed Meat Patties

Surprisingly, steaming corn and lotus root together creates a nutrition-packed classic. Cut corn cobs with a knife, then insert scissors into the core and twist to split them in half—this method shells corn quickly and completely. Slice lotus root first, then chop finely. Mix minced meat with lotus root, corn, carrot, salt, pepper, sugar, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and scallion-ginger water until well combined. Create a depression in the center and crack in an egg. Steam for 20 minutes after the water boils. The resulting corn and lotus root steamed patties are soft, tender, and incredibly aromatic.

4. Steamed Spare Ribs with Glutinous Rice

Perfect for the Mid-Autumn Festival, this dish of spare ribs steamed with glutinous rice is both delicious and beautiful, symbolizing prosperity from all directions. Marinate spare ribs with scallion, ginger, salt, chicken essence, pepper, light soy sauce, and oyster sauce for 30 minutes. Soak glutinous rice for 4 hours beforehand, then drain and mix with a little dark soy sauce and oyster sauce. Evenly coat the ribs with the glutinous rice, arrange on a plate, and add some fresh corn cobs. Steam for 59 minutes once the water boils. These glutinous rice-coated ribs are savory, soft, and sticky—beloved by both adults and children.

5. Prosperity Shrimp with Okra

A signature restaurant dish that constantly draws crowds, now easily made at home. Make a cut along the back of shelled shrimp and gently tap the back with a knife—this prevents shrinking during steaming. Cut okra into sections. Beat one egg in a bowl. Neatly arrange the shrimp on a plate with the okra your children love, place an egg yolk in the center, and generously add the key ingredient—garlic sauce. Steam for 5 minutes after the water boils. Drizzle with light soy sauce, sprinkle with scallions, and pour hot oil over to release the aromas. These Prosperity Shrimp are garlicky, flavorful, visually appealing, and delicious.

6. Steamed Egg with Shrimp and Tofu

An essential dish for family gatherings during the Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing rising prosperity and loved by all generations. Cut tender tofu into large pieces and arrange them in a circle on a plate. Beat three eggs in a bowl with a little salt, add 1.5 times the amount of warm water, and mix well. Skim off the foam, then pour over the tofu. Steam for 8 minutes after the water boils. Arrange shrimp your children love on top, steam for another 3 minutes, then sprinkle with scallions. Pour hot oil to release the fragrance and drizzle with light soy sauce.

7. Garlic Steamed Sea Bass with Egg

An exceptional preparation where scalding sea bass with boiling water creates a restaurant-quality dish simpler than you'd imagine. Make crosswise cuts on the thicker parts of a sea bass, then briefly scald with boiling water. Beat two eggs in a bowl, add a spoonful of salt, then 1.5 times the amount of warm water, and mix thoroughly. Pour the egg mixture over the sea bass. Spread the delicious garlic sauce over the fish, then steam over high heat for 8 minutes after the water boils—be careful not to overcook, or the texture will toughen. After steaming, drizzle with light soy sauce, scatter scallions, and pour hot oil over to finish. The result is tender, flavorful sea bass with rich garlic notes.

8. Steamed Pork Belly with Dipping Sauce

Who would have thought that steaming pork belly for just 20 minutes could transform it into such a delicious dish loved by both elderly and children? Steam 1 pound of pork belly for 20 minutes after the water boils—until a chopstick inserts easily. Remove and slice into thick pieces. In a bowl, combine minced garlic, red onion, and chili, then pour hot oil over to release the aromas. Season with light soy sauce and add plenty of cilantro if you're not among those who dislike it—a delicious dipping sauce is ready. The best white-cut pork belly isn't boiled but steamed to preserve its original flavor. Paired with this tasty sauce, the pork belly becomes rich but not greasy, perfect with both drinks and rice.

These eight steamed dishes perfectly capture the essence of autumn dining—comforting, nutritious, and deeply satisfying. From the festival-worthy glutinous rice meatballs to the restaurant-quality prosperity shrimp, each recipe brings something special to your autumn table. The steaming method not only preserves the natural flavors and nutrients of the ingredients but also fills your kitchen with comforting aromas that embody the warmth of the season.