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1. When you hear the word “dumpling,” what comes to your mind?
2. Do you think dumplings are important foods in other cultures?
3. Chinese dumplings come in many styles, shapes, sizes, and flavours, but is there something they all have in common?
They are one of the most famous foods in Chinese cuisine, but they are actually much more than just a simple and delicious snack. They come in many shapes, sizes, and flavours, each one with a special and unique name (and this can cause translation problems). Let's get straight down to the tasty business of uncovering the facts about Chinese dumplings!
M at Hello and welcome to another episode of China Lifestyle Journeys ! Today, we're diving into the delightful world of Chinese dumplings. Now, let's start with vocabulary. When we say “dumpling” in English, it typically refers to a specific type of food (something like a ball of bread that we traditionally put in soup or in some kind of meat stew). But, of course, in Chinese cuisine, we use the English word “dumpling” to talk about a wide variety of food items, in a variety of shapes, sizes, and fillings, making it a bit tricky to find the perfect translation. Jocelyn, could you tell us more about the different styles of Chinese dumplings and this rather awkward translation problem?
J ocelyn OK, that's a good starting point! The general word in Chinese for dumplings is “ jiaozi ” (in Mandarin). They can be found in various regional cuisines across China, and each style has its unique characteristics. There are many other words (in Chinese) to describe these individual styles. So, of course, when we talk about these in English, the word we often use is “dumpling” as a general catch-all description, even though it may not accurately capture the diversity of Chinese dumplings. This can sometimes lead to confusion, because, as you said, Mat, “dumpling” in English might make us think of something that doesn't fully describe the range of Chinese dumplings.
M at So, could you give us some examples of the different types of Chinese dumplings and their unique features?
J ocelyn OK! Let's explore a few popular styles of Chinese dumplings. I guess the most common and famous type is something generally called “ jiaozi ,” and this typically consists of a thin wheat dough wrapper filled with a mixture of ground meat , vegetables, and seasonings (there are many different versions; the meat can be pork, beef, lamb, or even fish or seafood, and the vegetables can be anything from cabbage, onion, leeks, and so on). I would probably say the most common type is pork and cabbage. Now, these dumplings can be boiled, steamed, or pan-fried and are usually served with dipping sauces (the sauce is often made from vinegar, soy sauce , and chilli—if you want it spicy). They vary in size and shape depending on the region. So even the basic form of dumpling (or jiaozi ) has quite a lot of variation.
M at OK! So we've covered one type, these “ jiaozi .” Let's talk about some of the other variations.
J ocelyn Another well-known type is the “ shengjian bao ,” or in English, pan-fried dumplings. These dumplings are typically filled with a mixture of minced pork and vegetables and sometimes a soup inside. They are pan-fried on the bottom, creating a crispy and golden crust, while the top remains soft and steamed. Shengjian bao are often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack in Shanghai and other regions, and their juicy filling and contrasting textures make them a really special snack.
M at There's another type I've had in Shanghai; it's the one with soup inside, and it's really difficult to eat. I remember spilling all the soup over my shorts when I was eating it. What's that one called?
J ocelyn Ah yes, that one. The type of dumpling you're talking about is called “ xiaolong bao .” Xiaolong bao is a famous Shanghai specialty known for its delicate wrapper and soup filling. These dumplings are traditionally steamed in bamboo baskets , which allows the soup to form inside during the cooking process. When eating xiaolong bao , it's important to handle them carefully as they contain really hot soup. One popular method is to gently bite a small hole in the dumpling, allowing the soup to cool before enjoying the rest of the dumpling.
M at Now, I've also been involved with making dumplings. At certain times of the year, during Spring Festival, I think, families like to make dumplings together, so I'm guessing there's some special meaning behind this.
J ocelyn Making dumplings together is indeed a cherished tradition during Spring Festival (or Chinese New Year). It holds special significance for families as it symbolises unity, harmony, and good fortune. The process of making dumplings involves multiple family members gathering around the table, each with their assigned tasks of rolling the dough , filling the dumplings , and shaping the dumplings . It's a time for bonding, storytelling, and passing down culinary traditions from one generation to the next. The act of sharing the delicious homemade dumplings strengthens family ties and brings joy and blessings for the coming year.
M at So, there's actually much more to dumplings than just being a delicious street snack. There are so many regional variations and lots of traditions connected to the making of dumplings.
J ocelyn Yes, and if you want, next Spring Festival I'll show you how to make them!
Look at the mind map below and try to introduce the typical Chinese food, dumplings, in English.
dough 面团
“Dough” is a soft, thick mixture of flour and water (or milk) used for making bread, pastries, or dumplings.
wrapper 皮
A “wrapper” is a thin piece of dough used to cover fillings in food like dumplings or spring rolls.
ground meat 肉馅
“Ground meat” is meat that has been finely chopped or minced. It is often used as a filling for dumplings, pies, or sauces.
seasoning 调味料
“Seasoning” is a mix of salt, herbs, or spices used to make food taste better.
soy sauce 酱油
“Soy sauce” is a dark, salty liquid made from fermented soybeans, often used to flavour dishes or as a dipping sauce.
bamboo basket 蒸笼
A “bamboo basket” is a container used for steaming food, often used for dumplings and buns.
roll the dough 擀面皮
To “roll the dough” means to flatten it into a thin layer using a rolling pin.
fill the dumplings 包馅
To “fill the dumplings” means to put a mixture, like ground meat or vegetables, inside the dough wrapper.
shape the dumplings 捏饺子
To “shape the dumplings” means to fold and seal the wrapper around the filling to give it its final shape.
flour 面粉
“Flour” is a fine powder made from wheat or other grains. It is a key ingredient in making dough and bread.
filling 馅料
“Filling” is the mixture of food, like meat or vegetables, placed inside a wrapper or bread.
rolling pin 擀面杖
A “rolling pin” is a long, round tool used to flatten dough.
steamer 蒸锅
A “steamer” is a kitchen tool or pot used to cook food with steam.
wok 锅
A “wok” is a round-bottomed cooking pan used in Chinese cooking for stir-frying, steaming, or deep-frying.
clay pot 砂锅
A “clay pot” is a traditional Chinese cooking pot that holds heat well and is often used for slow-cooking soups or stews.
stewpot 炖锅
A “stewpot” is a deep, heavy pot used to cook stews by simmering ingredients over low heat.
boiling water 沸水
“Boiling water” is water heated to 100°C, often used for cooking or preparing food.
vinegar 醋
“Vinegar” is a sour liquid, usually made from alcohol, often used in sauces or as a condiment.
chop 剁碎
To “chop” means to cut food into small pieces using a knife.
knead 揉面
To “knead” means to press and stretch dough with your hands to make it smooth and flat.
For multiple-choice questions, choose the right answer. For all the other questions, write short answers below.
1. According to the text, what are “dumplings” in typical English cuisine?
a) A wheat dough wrapper filled with meat and vegetables.
b) A delicious street snack with a long history.
c) A family tradition passed down from one generation to another.
d) A simple ball-shaped bread served with meat dishes.
2. According to Mat, which statement is true?
a) He has never tried making Chinese dumplings.
b) He has some experience of making Chinese dumplings.
c) He really wants to try making Chinese dumplings.
d) He wants the chance to eat some xiaolong bao .
3. List some of the adjectives used to describe “ shengjian bao .” (list at least THREE)
________________
________________
4. Give TWO reasons from the text why families enjoy making dumplings together.
________________
________________
5. Which fact about dumplings does NOT appear in the text?
a) There are many different ways to cook dumplings.
b) Pan-fried dumplings are often eaten for breakfast.
c) The most common type of dumpling is from Shanghai.
d) Different areas have different styles, shapes and sizes.