Crab Rangoon

An adaptation of the fried wonton, crab rangoon is one of the most enduringly popular appetizers at the posh Polynesian restaurant chain Trader Vic's.

  • Serves

    makes 12 Wontons

Ingredients

  • 5 oz. picked backfin crabmeat
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 12 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 wonton wrappers
  • Peanut oil, for frying

Instructions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, mix together crabmeat, cream cheese, scallions, garlic, worcestershire sauce, and sesame oil until the ingredients are well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.

Step 2

Heat 2" of oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, place 1 wonton wrapper on a cutting board with one corner pointing toward you. Drop 1 1⁄2 tsp. of the crab filling in center of wrapper. With a dab of water, moisten both edges of wonton skin; then pull the corner toward you, folding it over the filling so that it forms a triangle. Gently flatten the edges around the filling with your fingers to expel any air pockets and press to seal. Repeat process with remaining skins and filling. (For a step-by-step guide, Click Here.)

Step 3

When the oil registers 325° on a deep-fry thermometer, lower small batches of the wontons into the pan and deep-fry until golden, turning after 2–3 minutes so that they brown evenly on both sides. With a wire strainer, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Serve with tomato-based chili sauce and Chinese hot mustard.
  1. In a medium bowl, mix together crabmeat, cream cheese, scallions, garlic, worcestershire sauce, and sesame oil until the ingredients are well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
  2. Heat 2" of oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, place 1 wonton wrapper on a cutting board with one corner pointing toward you. Drop 1 1⁄2 tsp. of the crab filling in center of wrapper. With a dab of water, moisten both edges of wonton skin; then pull the corner toward you, folding it over the filling so that it forms a triangle. Gently flatten the edges around the filling with your fingers to expel any air pockets and press to seal. Repeat process with remaining skins and filling. (For a step-by-step guide, Click Here.)
  3. When the oil registers 325° on a deep-fry thermometer, lower small batches of the wontons into the pan and deep-fry until golden, turning after 2–3 minutes so that they brown evenly on both sides. With a wire strainer, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Serve with tomato-based chili sauce and Chinese hot mustard.
Recipes

Crab Rangoon

  • Serves

    makes 12 Wontons

Crab Rangoon
MATT TAYLOR-GROSS

An adaptation of the fried wonton, crab rangoon is one of the most enduringly popular appetizers at the posh Polynesian restaurant chain Trader Vic's.

Ingredients

  • 5 oz. picked backfin crabmeat
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 12 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 wonton wrappers
  • Peanut oil, for frying

Instructions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, mix together crabmeat, cream cheese, scallions, garlic, worcestershire sauce, and sesame oil until the ingredients are well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.

Step 2

Heat 2" of oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, place 1 wonton wrapper on a cutting board with one corner pointing toward you. Drop 1 1⁄2 tsp. of the crab filling in center of wrapper. With a dab of water, moisten both edges of wonton skin; then pull the corner toward you, folding it over the filling so that it forms a triangle. Gently flatten the edges around the filling with your fingers to expel any air pockets and press to seal. Repeat process with remaining skins and filling. (For a step-by-step guide, Click Here.)

Step 3

When the oil registers 325° on a deep-fry thermometer, lower small batches of the wontons into the pan and deep-fry until golden, turning after 2–3 minutes so that they brown evenly on both sides. With a wire strainer, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Serve with tomato-based chili sauce and Chinese hot mustard.
  1. In a medium bowl, mix together crabmeat, cream cheese, scallions, garlic, worcestershire sauce, and sesame oil until the ingredients are well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
  2. Heat 2" of oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, place 1 wonton wrapper on a cutting board with one corner pointing toward you. Drop 1 1⁄2 tsp. of the crab filling in center of wrapper. With a dab of water, moisten both edges of wonton skin; then pull the corner toward you, folding it over the filling so that it forms a triangle. Gently flatten the edges around the filling with your fingers to expel any air pockets and press to seal. Repeat process with remaining skins and filling. (For a step-by-step guide, Click Here.)
  3. When the oil registers 325° on a deep-fry thermometer, lower small batches of the wontons into the pan and deep-fry until golden, turning after 2–3 minutes so that they brown evenly on both sides. With a wire strainer, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Serve with tomato-based chili sauce and Chinese hot mustard.

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