A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (2024)

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  • Asian Food
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Danilo Alfaro

A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (1)

Danilo Alfaro

Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks.

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Updated on 02/10/23

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A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (2)

Chinese dumplings are a universe unto themselves, and it can be difficult for Westerners to navigate because so many types of dumplings are known by various different names—its Szechuan name, its Cantonese name, and its pinyin or romanized name. Adding to the confusion, each name can have different spellings.

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But, in general, there are two broad categories of Chinese dumplings: gao, or crescent-shaped dumplings; and bao, or round, purse-shaped dumplings.

Within these categories, there are nearly endless variations, depending on the type of wrapper (wheat and rice are the most common), what type of filling is used, and whether the dumpling is boiled, steamed, or fried.

Here's a summary of the most common types of Chinese dumplings.

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  • 01 of 07

    Jiaozi

    A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (5)

    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.

    The name jiaozi refers to this type of dumpling generically, although jiaozi might be referred to as shui jiao, if boiled; zheng jiao, if steamed; and guo tie or jian jiao, if pan-fried. These last are what are commonly known as potstickers.

  • 02 of 07

    Siu Mai

    A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (6)

    Siu mai (pronounced "shoo-my") is an open-topped, round basket-shaped dumpling made with a thin wrapper of wheat dough. As with most styles of Chinese dumplings, variations on siu mai abound throughout China as well as other regions of Asia. But the traditional Cantonese siu mai are made with a filling of ground pork and shrimp, along with other ingredients such as mushroom, ginger, and green onions.

    Siu mai are characteristically topped with an orange dot of fish roe or carrot (or sometimes a green dot made with a single pea), and prepared by steaming in a bamboo steamer basket.

  • Har Gao

    A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (7)

    Har gao (pronounced "ha-gow") is an oval- or crescent-shaped dumpling made with a translucent wrapper of wheat and tapioca starch, filled with shrimp, pork fat, and bamboo shoots, and served steamed. Har gao wrappers are characteristically shaped to feature seven to 10 pleats on the exterior, and the blend of starches in the wrapper itself is formulated to produce a smooth and tender, yet stretchy consistency. When steamed, the pork fat liquefies, giving a dumpling a firm (the shrimp should be cooked through without being tough or rubbery), yet juicy bite.

  • 04 of 07

    Xiao Long Bao

    A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (8)

    Sometimes called "soup dumplings," xiao long bao are a round, purse-shaped dumpling made of a relatively thick (thicker and doughier than jiaozi, for instance) wheat wrapper, which is crimped on the top. Although it's called a soup dumpling, xiao long bao are not actually filled with soup. Rather, they're filled with chopped cooked pork (and sometimes crab) along with plenty of collagen-rich pork trimmings. When steamed, the collagen melts and turns to liquefied gelatin, forming what is essentially an extremely rich and savory broth. Like har gao and siu mai, xiao long bao are regularly served as part of the traditional Chinese dim sum brunch.

    Continue to 5 of 7 below.

  • 05 of 07

    Sheng Jian Bao

    A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (9)

    Sheng jian bao are closely related to xian long bao. Typically made with the same filling of pork and seafood along with jellified broth, which liquefies when heated, the dough is slightly thicker than xiao long bao and garnished with sesame oil and chopped scallions. Unlike xiao long bao, however, sheng jian bao are cooked in a skillet partially filled with water. The water steams the dumplings, and as it evaporates, the dry skillet gives the bottoms of the dumplings a golden-brown, crunchy texture. Besides the traditional pork, some versions can contain chicken, shrimp, or crab.

  • 06 of 07

    Bao Zi

    A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (10)

    Bao zi is the general category for dumplings made with a thick, wheat dough resembling a bun. One common version of bao zi are the barbecued pork-filled buns known as char siu bao. Other variations include the tangbaozi, which, like the sheng jiang bao and xian long bao, is filled with broth that is actually drunk through a straw; doushabao, which is filled with sweet red bean paste; and naihuangbao, filled with a sweet yellow custard. Nontraditional variations include pineapple, glazed mushroom, tofu, curried chicken, and bulgogi beef.

  • 07 of 07

    Wontons

    A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (11)

    Wontons are another generic category of Chinese dumplings, which can be prepared in all kinds of ways depending on their filling and whether they're prepared by boiling, steaming, or frying. But a typical wonton is prepared using a square sheet of dough made from wheat flour, egg, and water (similar to Italian ravioli, but somewhat thinner), with a scoop of filling placed on the center of the square and the dough then sealed up in some manner, either by folding, crimping, or even tying the bundle up with a chive shoot. Ground pork and shrimp are typical fillings, although as with all Chinese dumplings, traditional and nontraditional variations abound depending on the region. Boiled wontons are popular and are served in a rich broth or soup. Japanese ground beef wontons are fried.

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A Guide to 7 Types of Chinese Dumplings (2024)

FAQs

What are the different shapes of dumplings called? ›

The crescent-shaped dumplings are called gao. And the more purse-shaped and round ones are called the bao. There are millions of variations of these two depending on the kind of wrapper used, the filling added, and the way the dumplings are cooked (fried, boiled, and steamed).

What are Chinese filled dumplings called? ›

Chinese dumplings (jiaozi) may be divided into various types depending on how they are cooked: Boiled dumplings (simplified Chinese: 水饺; traditional Chinese: 水餃; pinyin: shuǐjiǎo; lit. 'water dumpling')

What is the difference between xiao long bao and tang bao? ›

Similar to the Xiaolongbao, Tangbao have meat stock soup inside along with some pork (usually). The different is the wrapper is thicker and the entire bun is much bigger. You buy them in single buns and they come with a straw sticking out of the top. It's a popular street snack at tourist attractions.

What is the most popular dumpling in China? ›

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 is the difference potstickers and dumplings? ›

Unlike dumplings, potstickers are made with a thin wrapper, sometimes referred to as a dumpling skin. This is because they are steam fried to get a crispy golden bottom layer and to ensure that the filling is juicy and delicious.

What type of dumpling is a Momo? ›

Momos are a type of steamed filled dumpling in Tibetan and Nepali cuisine that is also popular in neighbouring Bhutan and India. Momos are usually served with a sauce known as achar influenced by the spices and herbs used within many South Asian cuisines.

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.

What is a Chinese soup dumpling called? ›

Xiao Long Bao (XLB), or soup dumplings, are probably the most famous of Shangai's steamed dumplings, and rightly so. These are delicately pleated balls of dough with broth and pork meat filling. Yes - they don't float in the soup. Instead, they encase the yummy warm broth inside the dough wrapper.

What is a Chinese chicken dumpling called? ›

Chinese chicken dumplings, also known as “Jirou Jiaozi” (鸡肉饺子), are a delicious and popular dish that we love. These dumplings consist of a filling made from ground chicken, carrot, and corn, bundled in a thin dough wrapper and pan-fried.

What are Beijing dumplings called? ›

Whether you shallow-fry them to make guotie or boil them to make jiaozi, these traditional Chinese pork dumplings are an unmissable component of a dim sum feast.

What are the 8 flavors of xiao long bao? ›

Each piece in this basket of eight treasures has its distinct color and flavor, which are extracted from natural ingredients. The enticing flavors are signature original, kimchi, crab roe, foie gras, black truffle, cheese, garlic and Szechuan.

Is bao the same as dim sum? ›

Baos and dumplings use chicken, fish, pork, or vegetables. Both dishes are commonly served in dim sum restaurants. As you already know, dim sum is a type of meal where a wide range of small dishes are served. You can have it for breakfast, lunch, or brunch and enjoy a hot plate of bao or dumplings.

Is bao Chinese or Japanese food? ›

Bao or Baozi are said to have been invented in China during the 3rd century by a military strategist called Zhuge Liang [181-234]. They were first named Mantou but over time they began to be referred to as baozi or bao meaning to wrap in Mandarin.

What is a potsticker vs dumpling? ›

Unlike dumplings, potstickers are made with a thin wrapper, sometimes referred to as a dumpling skin. This is because they are steam fried to get a crispy golden bottom layer and to ensure that the filling is juicy and delicious.

What is the difference between Hong Kong and Shanghai dumpling? ›

Thin, round, yellow wrapper, thinner than the Shanghai style wrappers that allows for a more delicate texture (3.5” diameter).

What is the difference between bao and Momo? ›

nikuman, known as mantou or momo in China, was first divided into steamed filled and unfilled buns, and later the filled buns were called baozi. The difference between baozi and dumplings is that baozi is a fermented dough that is wrapped in a filling and steamed. Dumplings are unfermented dough.

What is dim sum wonton vs dumpling? ›

Wonton originated in the northern parts of China. What makes it different from its counterparts - dumplings and dim sums - is they are square in shape and are usually deep-fried. Although, even dumplings can be fried but wontons are always fried. Also wontons are seasoned with more robust flavours of ginger and garlic.

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