The Ultimate Guide to Dumplings: Recipes and Dipping Sauces
Dumplings are a culinary delight that I could happily indulge in every day. Living just a few blocks away from an affordable dumpling spot has led me to enjoy their pork and chive dumplings more times than I can count—definitely into the hundreds over the past year and a half!
The global love for dumplings is evident, with variations like Polish pierogi, Japanese gyoza, and Tibetan momos showcasing our universal craving for delicious fillings wrapped in dough. While many cultures have their own take on this dish, Asian cuisine offers an impressive array of flavors and techniques. If you’ve never tried making your own dumplings at home, you’re in for a treat! Some recipes call for homemade dough, but many work perfectly well with store-bought wrappers. Plus, crafting your own allows you to customize the fillings—think carrot and tofu or pork and shrimp.
Here are 12 mouthwatering East Asian-style dumpling recipes that will introduce you to various techniques, fillings, and presentations. With just a bit of practice, you’ll be stuffing (and devouring) like an expert! And because no good dumpling experience is complete without dipping sauces, we’ve included five easy-to-make sauce recipes.
Dumpling Recipes
1. Pan-Fried Vegetable Dumplings
By Shao Z.
These crispy vegetarian dumplings boast complex flavors while being simple to prepare using store-bought skins. Filled with rehydrated wood ear mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, five-spice tofu, and seitan—all enhanced by sesame oil and soy sauce—they offer a delightful contrast between tender filling and crispy bottoms.
Get the recipe for Pan-Fried Vegetable Dumplings »
2. Simple Pork and Scallion Dumplings
By J. Kenji López-Alt
The secret ingredient here? Bacon! This addition brings richness to these steamed pork-and-scallion delights cooked in bamboo steamers lined with lettuce or parchment paper.
Get the recipe for Simple Pork and Scallion Dumplings »
3. Authentic Japanese Gyoza (Pork & Cabbage)
By J. Kenji López-Alt
Japanese gyoza feature thinner dough compared to their Chinese counterparts but pack similar flavor profiles—minced cabbage mixed with pork seasoned lightly with ginger gives them their signature taste.
Get the recipe for Authentic Japanese Gyoza »
4. Crystal Skin Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow)
By Shao Z.
These translucent shrimp-filled purses made from wheat starch are dim sum favorites! The addition of pork fatback ensures moisture as they steam beautifully.
Get the recipe for Crystal Skin Shrimp Dumplings »
5. Pan-Fried Leek Buns (Shui Jian Bao)
By Pete Lee
A heartier alternative to traditional dumpling wrappers; these buns get crispy on one side while being filled with garlicky Chinese chives or leeks mixed with dried baby shrimp.
Get the recipe for Pan-Fried Leek Buns »
6. Pork & Shrimp Siu Mai (Steamed Chinese Dumplings)
By Shao Z.
These easy-to-make siu mai require simply spooning ground shrimp-pork mixture into wonton wrappers before steaming them until perfection!
Get the recipe for Pork & Shrimp Siu Mai »
7. Homemade Wonton Soup
By J.Kenji López-Alt
This Hong Kong-style wonton soup features robustly filled wontons served in rich broth made from pork trotters combined with chicken stock—a comforting classic!
Get the recipe for Homemade Wonton Soup »
8.Sichuan-Style Wontons in Hot & Sour Sauce (Suanla Chaoshou)
By J.Kenji López-Alt
Skip traditional broth; instead serve these wontons coated in spicy garlic vinegar sauce infused with roasted chilies—a fiery treat!
Get the recipe Sichuan-Style Wontons»
9.Soup Dumplings(Xiao Long Bao)
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By J.Kenji Lopez Alt* Experience magic as you bite into these little parcels filled not only meat but also savory soup created through collagen-rich broth that melts during steaming process.
10.Sheng Jian Bao(Pan Fried Pork Soup Dumpings )
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By Shao Z.* These thicker cousins of Xiao long bao derive liquid from rendered fat within flavorful filling rather than gelled broth resulting bun-like texture yet equally delicious!
Get Recipe For Sheng Jian Bao(Pan Fried Pork Soup Dumpings )»
11.Kimchi Dumpings
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By Chichi Wang* A spicy twist on traditional dumpings featuring fermented Korean cabbage paired alongside vermicelli noodles plus tofu bound together by egg creating unique flavor profile!
12.Pierogi Wontons
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By J.Kenji Lopez Alt* Celebrate global diversity through fusion snacks combining Polish potato-cheese filling seasoned up using soy sauce along other ingredients creating delightful contrast!
Dipping Sauce Recipes
1.Ponzu-Ginger Dipping Sauce
- A refreshing blend of citrusy ponzu enriched by scallions ginger mirin sesame oil perfect pairing mild dipper options such as pan-fried vegetable dumpings.
- [ Get Recipe Ponzu-Ginger Dipping Sauce] (#)
2.Thai Style Dipping Sauce
- Sweet-tart concoction starting equal parts fish sauce lime juice raw garlic sugar cilantro versatile enough use beyond just dumping accompaniment.
- [ Get Recipe Thai Style Dipping Sauce] (#)
3.Coconut Curry Dipping Sauce
- Rich South Asian inspired option simmering creamy coconut milk red curry paste honey soy fish sauces resulting fragrant thickened goodness ideal complement any dish!
- [ Get Recipe Coconut Curry Dipping Sauce] (#)
4.Kimchi Honey Dip
- Tangy mix kimchi paste enriched mellowed out honey melted butter creates killer dip elevating flavors even further!
- [ Get Recipe Kimchi Honey Dip] (#)
5.Black Bean Maple Syrup Dip
- Unusual combination salty fermented black bean paste softened peanut butter sweetness maple syrup chili oil added heat thinned out water reaching dippable consistency. – [ Get Black Bean Maple Syrup Dip ] (#)
With this collection of delectable recipes at hand you’re all set embark upon exciting journey exploring world beloved comfort food known simply as “dumplngs”! Enjoy experimenting different combinations discovering new favorites along way!