Pork Wontons With Sesame Sauce

Step 1

Using your hands, mix pork, scallion, soy paste, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, ginger, wine, salt, and pepper (if using) in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Crack egg into center of mixture and stir vigorously in one direction with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until mixture is shaggy and lightened in color, about 4 minutes. Cover and chill at least 15 minutes and up to 12 hours.

Step 2

Fill a small bowl with cold water. Take a wonton wrapper and lay it in your palm. Using a small offset spatula or butter knife, press about 1 tsp. pork mixture into the center of wrapper. Dip a finger into water and run it around edges. Fold wrapper in half on a diagonal and press edges tightly together to seal. Dip your finger into water again and dampen 2 bottom corners of wonton. Bring corners together and pinch to seal. Place on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling. Cover and chill until ready to cook.

Step 3

Do Ahead: Wontons can be assembled 1 day ahead. Keep chilled, or freeze up to 1 month. Freeze in a single layer on baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to an airtight container. Cook from frozen, about 4 minutes.

Step 4

Whisk oil, sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a small bowl to combine, then whisk in water, 1-tablespoonful at a time, until you can drizzle sauce easily but it’s not watery. If using chile crisp, stir in 1–3 Tbsp., depending on how spicy you want your sauce; set aside.

Step 5

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Working in batches of up to 10 at a time, boil wontons until wrappers are puckered and tightly wrapped around filling (filling should be cooked through; slice one open to double-check if unsure), about 3 minutes. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer to a plate; let cool slightly.

Step 6

Divide wontons among bowls and spoon reserved sauce over; top with scallions and more chile crisp if desired.