15 Types of Dumpling from Around the World

Whether eaten in a soup or with a dip, dumplings are an essential part of many Asian cuisines. While dumplings originated in China, these doughy treats are now found all around the world, with many countries offering their own interpretation of this dish.

Each dumpling varies a little when it comes to the ingredients used, cooking style and purpose, so read on to discover the difference between the varieties that you can find around the world.

Jiaozi

The jiaozi dumpling is like the prototype for all dumplings varieties, as the original style created in China. Still a very commonly eaten dumpling in Chinese cuisine, the jiaozi is made from minced meat and vegetables wrapped in a thin layer of dough.

The dumplings can be fried, steamed or boiled depending on the recipe used. When enjoyed as a snack, these dumplings will be served with a sesame oil and black vinegar dip to enhance the flavours.

Jiaozi are also commonly enjoyed during Chinese New Year festivities, but can be eaten at any time of the year!

Xiao Long Bao

These delicious dumplings see pork and a gelatinised bone broth held in a thin wrapper. As the dumpling is steamed, the gelatin melts back to a liquid, creating a soup inside the wrapper.

If you bit into this dumpling straight away, you might burn your mouth, so place the xiao long bao on a deep spoon and poke a hole in the wrapper with a chopstick to let out the broth. Slurp up the broth and then enjoy munching on the dumpling.

Mandu

Korea’s take on the dumpling, mandu are typically stuffed with kimchi, vegetables or pork. Held together in a very thin wrapper, the dumplings can be steamed, boiled, pan-fried or deep-fried, offering a variety of texture opportunities.

Cha Siu Bao

A traditional steamed bun, this Cantonese delicacy is filled with BBQ pork. They are most commonly steamed, leaving them with a doughy white appearance, but they can also be baked, giving them a golden brown glow.

Gyoza

The most popular type of Japanese dumpling, the gyoza is enjoyed around the world. Inspired by the Chinese jiaozi dumpling, gyoza can be steamed or fried, and contain minced meat and vegetables.

What makes them stand apart from Chinese dumplings is the inclusion of more garlic, as this stronger taste is preferred in Japan. Gyoza are typically served with a dip made from soy sauce, chilli oil or rice vinegar.

Most commonly these are fresh from scratch, but you can also buy frozen gyoza that will save you the time of having to make them.

Har Gow

"Steamed prawn dumplings" by Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

A variation of Chinese dumplings, har gow are thin, steamed dumplings made with a pleated dough. The wrapper is translucent and filled with shrimp and prawn. Due to this, and the pleated appearance of the dumpling, har gow are also known as ‘shrimp bonnet’.

Khinkali

On the border of Asia and Europe, Georgian cuisine takes inspiration from both regions of the world. One such inspiration is the Khinkali dumpling, the Georgian take on China’s xiao long bao.

The dough is filled with minced meat, typically beef or lamb mixed with pork, as well as onions and spices. Like the xiao long bao, the khinkali dumpling must be pierced and have the juices sucked out before it is chewed.

In Georgia, the tops of these dumplings, where the pleat is twisted together, should not be eaten but left on the plate. This is to show how many dumplings you have eaten!

Manti

Variations of manti dumplings can be found in a wide range of cuisines around the world, including from Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The manti is a dough wrapper filled with minced beef or lamb that is steamed.

The name manti is similar to ‘mandu’ from Korea, so it could have been a possible source of inspiration. The size, shape and specific fillings will be dependent on the country in which it is made.

Kalduny

"Kalduny" by Хомелка, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

A type of stuffed dumpling enjoyed in Polish, Lithuanian and Belarusian cuisine, kalduny is a dough filled with meat and mushrooms or other fillings. Kalduny can be boiled directly in soup and served with the dish, or some can be baked or fried.

A dessert version of this dumpling can also be found, with the meat and veg fillings replaced with fruit and cinnamon.

Momos

Momos are found in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet and are inspired by Chinese jiaozi, with an Indian influence when it comes to the added spicy kick.

A wide variety of ingredients can be found within these dumplings, including minced meat, tofu, paneer, vegetables and cheese. More spice and herbs will also be found within these flavourful bites.

Yomari

"Internal view of Yomari" by Ritesh Man Tamrakar, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

A Nepalese delicacy, Yomari are steamed dumplings filled with chaku, a sugary, sweet filling. These dumplings are triangular with a tail where the dough has been closed. They are a key part of the Yomari Punhi festival, from which these bites gain their name.

Samosas

India’s take on the dumpling, samosas are a savoury parcel packed with spiced lentils, peas or potatoes. They are typically triangular in shape, but can also be conical or semi-circular. Samosas can be fried or baked and should be served with a delicious chutney.

Siu Mai

Believed to have originated in inner Mongolia, these open dumplings are filled with minced mutton, scallions and ginger, which creates a rich and spicy flavour.

The filling is placed in the centre of a dough wrapper, which is pleated around the filling to form a flower-like shape, without fully enclosing the ingredients.

Banh Bot Loc

These Vietnamese dumplings are almost see-through, allowing you to see a peek of the pork and shrimp hidden inside the tapioca wrapper. These delicate dumplings need to be wrapped in a banana leaf to be boiled or steamed. Banh bot loc is typically served with a fish sauce for dipping.

Coxinha

Coxinha is a Brazilian treat shaped like a chicken leg, with the word coxhina literally meaning ‘little thigh’. Shredded chicken will be wrapped in a thick dough and then deep-fried to create a tasty snack.

Find a wide range of delicious world cuisine at our Chinese supermarket online, including a variety of frozen dumplings!