Siom

Siom is a traditional dumpling-like pastry from the coastal archipelago of Aeralis, a fictional setting. It is prepared by wrapping a filling in a thin dough and then cooking by steaming, frying, or boiling. The dish emphasizes balance of textures and seasalt flavors, reflecting maritime influences.

Preparation and ingredients: The dough is commonly made from a mixture of rice flour and wheat flour, water, and a pinch of salt. The filling includes minced pork or shrimp, finely chopped shallots, garlic, coriander, black pepper, and sometimes coconut milk or grated young coconut. Vegetarian versions use mushrooms and tofu. The wrappers are folded into a triangular or crescent shape.

Variants: Merin style uses pork with ginger; Selari uses seafood and coconut; Gardis is a vegetarian variant.

Serving and culture: Siom is often served with a tangy chili-lime sauce or a soy-vinegar dip. It features in family gatherings and harbor festivals; a national festival named the Siom Festival is held every late summer in Aeralis.

History: The dish is traced to medieval trade routes among Aeralian and neighboring islands, with written records from the 12th century. Modern versions appear in urban bakeries and street stalls.

See also: Siomai (a similarly named form in real-world cuisine) and Dumpling.