The United Dumplings Guide to Dumpling Types in San Francisco (2024)

Chinese dumplings are a whole world in themselves. If you’re new to the world of Chinese dumplings and are planning on going to a dumplings restaurant to check them out, you need to know the different types of dumplings before you look at the menu and draw a complete blank while ordering.

Although it is a common dumpling fact that each type of Chinese dumpling has different names in Schezuan, Cantonese, English and so on, we’ll guide you through an easy way to recognize a dumpling type so you can order them confidently the next time you visit a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco.

A Simple Guide To Recognizing Chinese Dumpling Types

There are two general categories of Chinese dumplings. 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).

Here are the seven main types of Chinese dumplings:

1. Siu Mai

Pronunciation - Shoo my

Siu Mai is a delicious round-shaped open-top dumpling. These are traditionally made with a fragile wrapper of wheat dough. Although there are many variations of the Siu Mai across different regions, the traditional Cantonese version has ground pork and shrimp filling along with other savory fillings like mushrooms, green onions, and ginger.

The United Dumplings Guide to Dumpling Types in San Francisco (1)

These are steamed in a bamboo basket, and the open top is often garnished with fish roe or green peas.

2. Jiaozi

Pronunciation - Jow zee

We all know these as pot stickers. These are crescent-shaped and are made with a very thin wheat dough wrapper. These are traditionally made with ground pork, cabbage, scallions, and a dipping sauce prepared with sesame oil, soy sauce, and vinegar.

The United Dumplings Guide to Dumpling Types in San Francisco (2)

These are referred to as Shui jiao when boiled, Zheng jiao if steamed, and Jian jiao if pan-fried.

At United Dumplings, we do a killer version of the pot stickers with fillings ranging from beef, chicken, and fish to vegetables.

3. Xiao Long Bao

Pronunciation - Shau Long Bao

These have to be the ultimate comfort food. The burst of soup in your mouth when you gobble these up is the perfect warmth and happiness a food item can give you. Yes, by now, these are the ultimate soup dumplings.

The United Dumplings Guide to Dumpling Types in San Francisco (3)

These are purse-shaped dumplings with chopped pork fillings and a collagen-rich broth of fat pork trimmings that melt into thick gelatin when cooked.

At United Dumplings, we take pride in serving the ultimate XLB variations, from the traditional Pork XLB to our jumbo-sized XLB that’s so big you need a straw to slurp up the comfy goodness.

4. Har Gao

Pronunciation - ha-gaow

Here is a crescent-shaped dumpling in oval shape served steamed in a bamboo basket. The Har Gao is made with a thin wheat and tapioca starch dough wrapper.

The traditional filling includes pork fat, shrimp, and bamboo shoots. The outer side of the wrapper is supposed to have 7 to 10 pleats. The pork fat melts when the dumpling is steamed, and the resulting bite is juicy and yummy.

5. Bao Zi

Bao Zi is the overall category of bun-shaped dumplings with thick dough wrapping with filling. The char siu bao has a barbecued pork filling.

The tangbaozi is a soup dumpling with pork trimmings that melt when cooked and form a broth. There are many other variations of this, including sweet and savory options.

6. Wontons

You probably also know these pretty well too. These have a million variations too. They are steamed, boiled, and fried. They are usually made with square sheets of dough (wheat, egg, and water).

The filling is added in the center, and the wrapper is either pleated or crimped to seal the wonton. The traditional filling includes pork and shrimp.

7. Sheng Jian Bao

These are also soup dumplings like the Xiao Long Bao, but the dough is pretty thick as compared to the XLB. These also have pork and shrimp filling with pork trimmings that melt into a gelatin broth when cooked through.

These are also cooked in a skillet instead of a bamboo basket. Being cooked in a skillet means you get a crunchy dumpling bottom.

There you have it; these are the typical types of dumplings you will get at a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. Why don’t you come over to a United Dumplings location? We’d be super happy to walk you through our menu items and help you select a dumpling or two!

The United Dumplings Guide to Dumpling Types in San Francisco (2024)

FAQs

Are there different kinds of dumplings? ›

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).

Is xiao long bao a type of dumpling? ›

Xiao long bao are a type of Chinese dumpling hailing from Shanghai. Xiao long bao differ from traditional pork dumplings in one key way: the inside of the dumpling also contains a small amount of rich, delicious soup broth. For this reason, xiao long bao are also commonly referred to as soup dumplings.

What is hidden in dumplings? ›

Traditionally, dumplings are made on the eve of Chinese new year, and a small coin is hidden inside one. Whoever finds the coin is said to have good fortune for the new year! This is particularly the case for 'water dumplings' (水饺) – those boiled in water rather than pan fried.

Which type of Chinese dumpling typically consisting of ground meat and vegetable filling wrapped in a thinly rolled piece of do ›

Jiaozi (simplified Chinese: 饺子; traditional Chinese: 餃子; pinyin: jiǎo zi; [tɕjàʊ. tsɹ̩]) are a type of Chinese dumpling. Jiaozi typically consist of a ground meat or vegetable filling wrapped into a thinly rolled piece of dough, which is then sealed by pressing the edges together.

What is the most popular dumpling? ›

Jiaozi. 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 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 do Japanese call dumplings? ›

If you have visited a Japanese restaurant or eaten Japanese style street food, you may have noticed a popular dish called 'Gyoza' on the menu. These delicious treats are Japanese dumplings, made with a variety of different fillings.

What do Chinese people call dumplings? ›

Sometimes, a jiaozi (the generalized term for Chinese dumplings) can first be made as a shui jiao before pan-frying it to turn it into guo tie. Just like the guo tie, this dumpling is often enjoyed with a salty, acidic dipping sauce of soy sauce and vinegar.

What are Korean dumplings called? ›

Mandu (Korean: 만두; Hanja: 饅頭), or mandoo, are dumplings in Korean cuisine. Mandu can be steamed, boiled, pan-fried, or deep-fried.

Are potstickers Chinese or Japanese? ›

For starters, potstickers are Chinese while gyoza are Japanese. And beyond that distinction, gyoza tend to be smaller than potstickers, with thinner and slightly more delicate wrappers. They also may be fully steamed, boiled, or fried, rather than cooked using a combination of pan-frying and steaming.

What do Chinese people eat with dumplings? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Asian dumplings (East Asia) are ramen, tomato and egg stir fry, fried greens, chilli miso steamed aubergine, pork belly fried rice, cucumber salad (Oi Muchim), tahini miso noodles, and claypot tofu.

Who invented dumplings? ›

Most experts believe that dumplings were invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a Chinese medicine practitioner who lived in the Eastern Han Dynasty, the second imperial dynasty of China that lasted from 206 BC to 220 AD. As legend tells it, it was a difficult winter and many were experiencing ill effects from the cold.

What name is given to a small deep-fried Chinese dumpling with a savory filling? ›

Jiaozi …. these are wheat flour and water wrappers filled with all sorts of meats and vegetables. They can be boiled, steamed deep-fried, or pan-fried. If they are boiled, they are sometimes called 'Shui Jiao'.

What dish is a crescent shaped dumpling that is usually pan-fried? ›

They are usually called “potstickers,” or Gyoza, in Japanese. The technique usually involves pan-frying the dumplings, usually frozen first, and then adding a small amount of water, and covering the pan. This creates a good crust on the bottom as the water cooks away, but they do stick sometimes…

Which type of bean is pink to maroon in color and commonly used in chili con carne? ›

Kidney beans come in both light and dark varieties, and they get their name because of the shape of the bean. They are the most popular bean for chili and, in some circles, are often called 'chili beans. ' They add a hearty, rich texture to your chili.

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 Chinese dumplings and Korean dumplings? ›

Mandu tastes similar to Jiaozi (chinese dumplings), but I think that the main difference between these two types of dumplings is that korean dumplings usually use tofu but chinese dumplings do not. Dumplings are one of my most favourite foods.

What are original dumplings made of? ›

Dumplings are most commonly formed from flour or meal bound with egg and then simmered in water or gravy stock until they take on a light cakey texture. Many recipes call for herbs, onions, grated cheese, or chopped meat to be rolled into the dough before cooking.

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