What Are Dumplings? Everything You Need to Know (2024)

What Are Dumplings? Everything You Need to Know (1)

What Are Dumplings? Everything You Need to Know (2)

What are Dumplings?

Everything you need to know about dumplings!


Dumplings have become extremely popular across the world. More and more people are experimenting with new and exciting flavours, combining them together to create entirely unique dumplings that are innovative in both taste and texture.
Due to this experimentation, however the question ‘what are dumplings?’ is not so simple to answer - but let’s try!
In Asian cuisines, dumplings are delicate, bite-sized treats of different fillings wrapped in a thin layer of dough. They can be both savoury and sweet, and may be boiled, steamed and fried - the choice is yours! Known as jiaozi to the Chinese or gyoza to the Japanese - the dumpling is a popular Asian cuisine to many, regularly consumed and enjoyed.

What are dumplings made of?


The dumpling dough is made of three main ingredients: flour, water and salt. But which flour you use depends on which dumpling you want to make. While most dumplings can be made using a standard ‘dumpling’ or ‘wheat’ flour, Har Gau (Chinese shrimp dumplings) are made with a mix of wheat and tapioca starch - and that’s just the start!
In terms of the filling, dumplings are great because they are versatile, much like the Bao Bun. Whether you have a sweet tooth - or if you prefer a more savoury snack, you can make your dumpling to suit your taste and mood!

A Round Up: What is a dumpling made of?


- Flour
- Salt
- Water
- Filling of your choice

Can you freeze dumplings?


This is a question that is regularly asked and many get confused about (and rightly so!). Dumplings can be frozen but there are a few rules in order to achieve the maximum taste when defrosting. Firstly, it is important to make sure that your dumplings are completely cooled before freezing: this will ensure that they can be reheated and consumed at a later date!
Secondly, if you are not cooking your dumplings right away, freeze the dumplings on a baking sheet. Once the dumplings are frozen solid, portion into separate freezer bags and freeze for up to three months.
TIP: When freezing onto the baking tray, make sure none of the dumplings are touching each other so that they won’t stick together!

What fillings can I use in my dumplings?


What makes a great filling for dumplings? As we touched upon earlier, the best thing about the dumpling is that it is completely versatile. Whether you prefer a savoury filling, or if you have a sweeter tooth - a dumpling can appeal to all tastes. Using your own imagination and taste can help you create a dumpling in the flavours you fancy, and with the ingredients of your choice.
Popular dumpling fillings differ by region - some may be more popular than others in different countries. There are many different fillings including meat, cheese, fruits and sweets which are all combined with vegetables to create a wide variety of delicious dumplings.

Some recommended dumpling fillings:


- Dried shrimp
- Beef
- Pork
- Chicken
- Carrot
- Spinach & ricotta
- Lamb
- Shrimp

If you are feeling like dumplings for tea tonight, and would like some extra inspiration [take a read of our Xiao Long Bao (Chinese Soup Dumpling) recipe, including how to make the dumpling dough, or watch the recipebrought to you by our very own Jeremy Pang!

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What Are Dumplings? Everything You Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

What Are Dumplings? Everything You Need to Know? ›

Dumplings are bite-size pieces of dough stuffed with minced or mashed meat or veggies. They may be cooked several ways including boiled, fried, seared and steamed. Many cultures have their own versions, but Chinese dumplings are some of the most well known. Dumplings are commonly eaten at dim sum.

What is a dumpling? ›

Dumpling is a broad class of dishes that consist of pieces of cooked dough (made from a variety of starchy sources), often wrapped around a filling. The dough can be based on bread, wheat or other flours, or potatoes, and it may be filled with meat, fish, tofu, cheese, vegetables, or a combination.

What do Chinese proverbs say about dumplings? ›

There are many popular old sayings about Chinese Dumplings(Jiaozi). "十月一,冬至到,家家户户吃水饺.": Every family eats dumplings on the Winter Solstice. "饺子就酒, 越吃越有.": Eat dumplings With Chinese liquor, future will be richer. "好吃不过饺子, 舒服不过倒着.": Dumplings are most delicious, sleeping is most comfortable.

What are the most common dumplings? ›

Jiaozi. Jiaozi (pronounced "jow-zee") are perhaps the most common type of Chinese dumpling. Crescent-shaped and formed with an opaque wrapper made from wheat dough, jiaozi are usually filled with ground pork, cabbage, and scallions, and served with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.

What are the three types of dumplings? ›

Here are the seven main types of Chinese dumplings:
  • Siu Mai. Pronunciation - Shoo my. ...
  • Jiaozi. Pronunciation - Jow zee. ...
  • Xiao Long Bao. Pronunciation - Shau Long Bao. ...
  • Har Gao. Pronunciation - ha-gaow. ...
  • Bao Zi. Bao Zi is the overall category of bun-shaped dumplings with thick dough wrapping with filling. ...
  • Wontons. ...
  • Sheng Jian Bao.

Are dumpling healthy? ›

In Conclusion. Just like anything else dumplings are a great source of food and nutrition when taking moderation in mind. They can even offer health benefits with their fillings and multiple options. There are many different types of dumplings ranging from fillings, spices, and even how they are cooked.

What is so special about dumplings? ›

They are more than pieces of dough with a filling. Chinese dumplings are visible, tasty signs that illustrate essential parts of Chinese culture. The crescent-shaped dumplings served during Lunar New Year symbolize the brightness of the moon and the promise of a bright and prosperous year ahead.

Why do people eat dumplings? ›

Dumplings are eaten during Chinese New Year because the dumplings themselves look like money pouches and are said to represent fortune and prosperity in the coming year.

What is hidden in dumplings? ›

In the old times, usually a coin is hidden in one of the dumplings. The person who find or bite the coin is said to be lucky, good fortune and prosperous in the New Year. Dumplings therefore is shaped like gold ingots, which symbolize wealth.

What culture eats dumplings? ›

Rediscover yourself through these twelve dumpling personalities!
  • Jiaozi (China) ...
  • Wonton (China) ...
  • Xiaolongbao (China) ...
  • Dim sum (China) ...
  • Gyōza (Japan) ...
  • Mandu (Korea) ...
  • Momos (India / Nepal) ...
  • Samosa (multiple regions)
Nov 8, 2022

Do dumplings have a meaning? ›

They signify comfort, hope, and prosperity. In this article, we'll explore the centuries-old history of dumplings but remember that the next time you eat a dumpling, you do not just have a food item - you're indulging in a significant part of Chinese culture.

Is it good luck to eat dumplings? ›

The reason that dumplings are a lucky food for Chinese New Year is because they symbolize wealth. Why? They look like boat-shaped Chinese gold and silver ingots! The idea is that the more dumplings you eat during the Spring Festival, the more money you may make throughout the year.

What is the proper name for dumplings? ›

In English people usually call jiaozi “dumplings” instead of its Chinese name; but other Chinese dishes like wontons, baozi, xiaolongbao, har gow, tangyuan, etc.

What's the difference between potstickers and dumplings? ›

Potstickers are always dumplings, but not all dumplings are potstickers. The biggest difference between these two are how they are cooked, but the cooking method has also changed the kinds of ingredients and preparation of both potstickers and dumplings over time. Potstickers are dumplings that are also pan-fried.

What are the best dumplings to eat? ›

Here are no fewer than 35 of our favorites around the world to get your taste buds flowing.
  • Xiaolongbao. Xiaolongbao dumplings contain aspic, and are pinched, instead of folded. ...
  • Ravioli. Ravioli: Far from a predictable pocket. ...
  • Sichuan spicy wonton. ...
  • Manti. ...
  • Bryndzové halušky. ...
  • Siomay. ...
  • Shrimp wonton. ...
  • Pierogi.

What is the American version of dumplings? ›

Originating in the Pennsylvania region the pierogies have been a staple in the city of Pittsburgh and all over western Pennsylvania. Pierogies are soft semicircular dumplings that are usually filled with potatoes or cheese. However, just like other dumplings, fillings are interchangeable depending on culture.

Is an empanada a dumpling? ›

Empanada are a Spanish and South American variety of dumpling (called pastel in Brazilian Portuguese) that is baked or fried. The name comes from Spanish verb empanar, to wrap or coat in bread. Empanadas are stuffed with seasoned meat (pork, chicken or beef), cheese, or vegetables.

Are dumplings just noodles? ›

“Dumplings are cooked balls of dough. They are based on flour, potatoes, bread or matzoh meal, and may include meat, fish, or sweets. They may be cooked by boiling, steaming, simmering, frying, or baking. Ingredients may be as a part of a filling, or mixed throughout the dumpling.

Is a pierogi a dumpling? ›

Pierogi are Eastern European stuffed dumplings that are usually boiled. As with many traditional foods, there are regional varieties with fillings ranging from sweet to savoury, meat to meatless.

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