Rice-less Dumplings

Last updated 2026-11-15 — Rice-less dumplings, commonly known as crystal buns, are a famous snack from Chaozhou. The wrapper is made from sweet potato starch, and the fillings come in both savory and sweet varieties. The savory ones are made with diced potatoes, taro, or bamboo shoots, mixed with satay or curry. The sweet ones use mashed taro or red bean paste. Steamed just like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), they are ready to eat. Delicate and translucent, these rice-less dumplings, also called crystal buns, are a renowned specialty of the Chaoshan region…