Begin by rinsing the shrimp under cold water, ensuring they are clean. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then, cut each shrimp into 3 to 4 pieces. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully when mixed with the other ingredients.
In a mixing bowl, add the chopped yellow chives to the shrimp. It’s time to marinate! Sprinkle in the chicken bouillon powder, sesame oil, and fish sauce. Add a pinch of salt and white pepper for flavor. Mix everything together gently to ensure all the shrimp pieces are coated evenly. Let this mixture marinate for about an hour, allowing the flavors to infuse.
While the shrimp is marinating, prepare your workspace for the wontons. Take the wonton wrappers out and lay them on a clean surface. It's important to keep the wrappers covered with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.
Now, let's start assembling! Take one wonton wrapper and place it on the palm of your hand. Scoop about 1 teaspoon of the shrimp filling into the center. Make sure not to overfill; a little goes a long way!
Next, dab the corners of the wonton wrapper with water using your finger. This will help create a tight seal. Fold the wonton wrapper in half to form a triangle. Press the edges firmly to seal it, ensuring there are no air bubbles inside.
To give it a traditional shape, gather the two corners of the triangle and bring them down towards the center while pinching the middle to secure. It should look like a beautiful little purse! Repeat this process until all the filling is used.
Now it’s time to prepare the soup. In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium heat. As it heats, add salt, white pepper, and a splash of sesame oil to taste. This broth is essential; it’s what ties the entire dish together.
In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Gently drop the wontons into the boiling water, stirring carefully to prevent them from sticking to each other. Cook until they float to the top, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
Once the wontons are cooked, use a strainer to lift them out of the water and transfer them directly into the pot with the hot chicken broth. Allow them to simmer together for a minute or two to absorb the flavors.
Finally, serve your Wonton Soup hot, garnished with a drizzle of sesame oil and perhaps a sprinkle of additional chives or white pepper. Enjoy every comforting bite!
