There I was, Wednesday at 2 PM, staring down the barrel of my fourth Zoom meeting while my stomach performed its own interpretation of “Swan Lake” – dramatic, loud, and desperately seeking an audience. My dim sum cravings were reaching DEFCON 1, but my calendar looked like a game of Tetris designed by a sadist. The fantasy of hand-pleating my own dumplings evaporated faster than the last cup of coffee I’d gulped down, and the idea of waiting 45 minutes at my favorite dim sum spot seemed about as realistic as my inbox ever reaching zero. In a moment of grocery store genius (or desperation, depending on who you ask), I’d tossed a bag of Trader Joe’s Shrimp Noodle Rolls into my cart last weekend. “Future me will thank present me,” I’d thought, and wouldn’t you know it – future me was now offering present me a standing ovation. Time to see if these frozen rice noodle rolls could save both my schedule and my sanity.
What is Cheung Fun?
Cheung fun (also spelled as chee cheong fun or chang fen) is a beloved Cantonese delicacy featuring silky, translucent sheets of steamed rice noodles that seem to shimmer like satin under restaurant lights. These wrappers are made from a thin batter of rice flour, tapioca starch, and water that’s spread thinly onto a cloth-lined steamer and cooked until just set, creating a texture that’s simultaneously delicate and substantial. Traditional versions are often filled with shrimp, barbecued pork, beef, or sometimes left plain, then gently rolled into cylindrical bundles that showcase the fillings peeking through the gossamer thin noodle. Once plated, these pillowy rolls are typically bathed in a light soy sauce mixture that pools elegantly beneath them, sometimes finished with a drizzle of sesame oil or a scattering of scallions. The magic of Cheung fun lies in its textural contrast the tender give of the noodle wrapper yielding to the slight resistance of fresh shrimp or savory meats, and the way it soaks up the umami-rich sauce without losing its structural integrity.
What’s in the Bag?
Trader Joe’s Shrimp Noodle Rolls are the grocery chain’s foray into cheung fun – those delicate rice noodle rolls treasured in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. Each bag contains 8 rolls at 60 calories each, meaning the entire package comes in at a reasonable 480 calories – perfect for a light meal or substantial snack. As someone who’s frequented Din Tai Fung, I was immediately struck by how similar these looked to the restaurant-quality dim sum I’ve splurged on.
The Cooking Process: Not Quite “Set It and Forget It”
Fair warning: if you’re looking for a microwave-and-go situation, you’ll need to adjust your expectations. These rolls demand a bit more attention, but for good reason. Trader Joe’s doesn’t even include microwave instructions because they know what would happen – a sticky, gummy mess. Instead, you’ll need to break out a non-stick pan (emphasis on NON-STICK – these wrappers are stickier than a toddler with a melting popsicle) and a bit of oil.
The instructions call for pan-frying until the bottoms are crispy brown, but even after 10 minutes, mine were barely showing color. Patience is a virtue here. The second step involves adding a splash of water to the pan, covering, and letting them steam for a few minutes until heated through. It’s not complicated cooking, but it does require you to be present and accounted for.
The Flavor Payoff
Once plated, these rolls are genuinely impressive to look at. Each roll displays two perfectly positioned shrimp through the translucent wrapper, making them look far more elegant than their frozen origins would suggest. Cutting into them reveals the shrimp sitting atop a layer of finely shredded vegetables.
But the real test is in the tasting, and here’s where Trader Joe’s knocks it out of the park. These rolls absolutely scream authentic dim sum. The rice noodle wrapper achieves that perfect balance of chew and tenderness, while the shrimp filling is distinct and flavorful. The vegetable mélange adds complexity without overwhelming the delicate shrimp flavor.
One crucial note: there’s no sauce included, so you’ll want to have something on hand. I opted for Trader Joe’s Chili Crunch drizzled with soy sauce, which elevated these rolls from excellent to exceptional. The spicy, crunchy oil against the soft noodle creates a textural contrast that’s nothing short of divine.
The Verdict
After demolishing all eight rolls in one sitting (no regrets), I can confidently award Trader Joe’s Shrimp Noodle Rolls 9 out of 10 stars. They’re one of the best frozen offerings I’ve tried from TJ’s in quite some time. While they require a bit more effort than your typical frozen meal, the payoff is a restaurant-quality dim sum experience for a fraction of the price and time commitment.
These rolls work beautifully as a standalone meal, but they’d also make a fantastic addition to a DIY dim sum spread alongside TJ’s gyoza, spring rolls, soup dumplings, or their new bao buns. For those moments when your dim sum cravings hit but your schedule (or energy levels) won’t allow for a restaurant visit, these frozen cheung fun are the next best thing – and in some ways, even better. After all, you can enjoy them in your pajamas while binging your favorite show, something most dim sum establishments frown upon.
Next time I’ll be buying two bags – one for present me, and one for future me who will definitely be thanking past me for the foresight.
Thanks for the review and your tantalizing description. As a fan of dim sum, I look forward to trying these!