Yum 9 Things To Know About Dumplings

Dumplings are one of the most traditional and popular dishes enjoyed all over the world. People’s interpretations of dumplings differ depending on where they are from. Yet generally dumplings are small pieces of dough that can be wrapped around a filling or cooked alone. From frying and baking, to boiling and steaming, they can be cooked in a variation of different ways and can also be savory or sweet. Yum 9 Things To Know about Dumplings is all about Dumplings.

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Chinese Culture

Despite dumplings being enjoyed worldwide, there is no denying that this is a food that has a deep association with Chinese culture and traditional Chinese cuisine. Legend has it that they were invented around 225 AD in the era of Three Kingdoms and ever since they have been a key part of Chinese food culture. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at ten must-know facts about dumplings.

Dumplings By Name

These are the main different types of dumplings:

  • Shanghainese – Dumpling with a thick and white wrapping that is made from flour only. 
  • Danijao – Egg skin is used instead of dough.
  • Guotie – Shallow fried dumplings.
  • Zhengjiao – Dumplings that are steamed.
  • Shui Jiao – Boiled dumplings.
  • Szechuan – Boiled dumplings that are served in an extremely spicy sauce. The wrapping is thick and white. 

Did You Know?

  1. Share – When ordering dumplings it is always a good idea to get several different varieties and share them among those you are dining with. 
  2. New Year Celebrations – On Chinese New Year steamed dumplings are often served with a gold coin placed in the center of one of the dumplings. Whoever gets this dumpling and bites into the coin is believed to have a lucky year ahead.
  3. Symbol Of Wealth – If you go into any restaurants in Asia on the 5th day of Chinese New Year you may see a lot of people ordering dumplings. This is part of tradition because they represent prosperity and good wealth.
  4. Type Of Dumpling Depends On The Region Where They Were Made – The type of dumpling are different depending on the region where they were made or whereabouts you are in China.
  5. Huge Array Of Fillings – Dumplings can be filled with a varied assortment of different fillings. You can make dumplings with any veggies.  This also includes everything from chicken, to shrimp, to pork, to mutton. The meat or fish is then mixed with the likes of spring onion and garlic and then served with accompaniments. 
  6. Let The Dumplings Sit – When you are enjoying dumplings you should always let them sit for approximately sixty seconds. This allows the skin to gelatinous and get tougher. Otherwise, the dumplings may start to fall apart. The likeliness of this depends on the type of dumpling you are eating. 
  7. Enjoy with Tea – The best way to enjoy dumplings is with traditional Chinese tea. If you would like a refill all you need to do is leave the lid of the teapot ajar. Yum!

 

Some Popular Dumplings –

Here are a few examples of some popular dumplings that include the likes of:

  • Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Pork, Deep Fried / Haam Sui Gau
  • Taro Dumplings / Wu Gok 
  • Dumpling with Pork, Shrimp and Peanuts, Steamed / Chiu-Chao Fan Guo

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