(W Table)
(W Table)

Many cuisines have their own beloved dumplings – there‘s China’s baozi and Japan‘s gyoza – but Korea’s mandu bring their own charm to the table.

These plump parcels stand out for their hearty wrappers and generous proportions. The filling might include any mix of pork, beef or shrimp, along with signature ingredients like glass noodles, tofu and bean sprouts. But it‘s perhaps the popular addition of kimchi in some of these dumplings that gives them a distinctive, quintessential Korean twist.

Mandu’s versatility is part of its appeal. You‘ll find them bobbing in soup with rice cakes, steamed to tenderness, pan-fried until crispy or deep-fried to golden perfection. Each method of preparation brings out different qualities in the wrapper and filling.

Whether you’re after a quick snack or a full meal, these dumplings always deliver. Call it a Korean comfort food that‘s highly adaptable.

(Mandu, Korean dumplings, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, savory stuffed mandu)