Korean Dumplings: From Royal Kitchens to the Family Table! The History & "How To Make" These Scrumptious Edible Mouthfuls!
- lewishooper1
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
From royal kitchens to the modern family table, we explain the evolution of one of Korea's most delicious foods: dumplings!
Have you ever walked into a Korean restaurant and felt like you'd stumbled into a feast before you even ordered? That's the magic of Korean hospitality! Suddenly, your table blossoms with banchan – a delightful cast of small dishes, each with its own story and vibrant color.
Of course, these aren't just to tide you over; they're a vital part of the Korean dining experience, a delicious conversation happening alongside your main course. Often, you'll notice a nod to Korea's history in these offerings – the simple goodness of vegetarian dishes, a whisper of the Buddhist influence and the agricultural heartland, preserved through time-honoured techniques like fermentation, which has become a popular aspect of the modern diet around the world today!
This explosion of side flavors is your first clue to the incredible depth of Korean cuisine, a culinary tradition that once graced the tables of royalty, where layering flavors and techniques was previously an art form. So, with this love of variety ingrained in the culture, it's no wonder that Korean dumplings, the essential mandu, also boast a fascinatingly diverse family tree.
Imagine stepping back in time to the 14th Century where along the Silk road Mongolians most likely introduced these delightful treats once they arrived in Korea! Though of course as times change, the culinary shift and flavor palates changed, the countless flavors of these small juicy pockets also did!
How to make mandu (Korean dumplings)
Step 1: Mix the dough and add boiling water with a teaspoon of salt and stir well, before adding the flour to the bowl and mixing. Then knead into a smooth dough and allow it to rest for half and hour.
Step 2: The filling! Cut your filling (Kimchi, pork, vegetables) and place them into a large bowl and season with soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar and pepper powder. Mix these together well and this will help to create the filling.
Step 3: Divide the dough into four parts, and cut them into blocks (depending on your recipe will depend on the size) Once this is complete, then add corn-starch and flatten each dough ball into a round piece.
Step 4: Next, you need to scoop each spoon of your filling into the middle of the dough, and carefully fold the dough in half, so that the filling is covered tightly!
Step 5: Time to put the pot of water onto the stove and let it boil! One by one, place each Mandu into the boiling water and after boiling you can steam or fry them depending on your taste! Put them on a plate and let them cool before eating!
Picture this: a plate of mandu arrives. What does it look like?
Think of mandu as tiny edible stories, found woven into the fabric of Korean life. You might first encounter them as a steaming, satisfying snack from a street vendor, the perfect fuel for a busy day. Later, you might find them nestled in a comforting bowl of tteok mandu guk (soup dumplings) at a family dinner, each dumpling a warm embrace. Even in the refined atmosphere of an upscale restaurant, mandu carry a sense of tradition and deliciousness. They're more than just food; they're a culinary thread connecting generations.
When enjoyed on their own, there's often a familiar friend – a sweet and savory soy-based dipping sauce, the same one that elevates the crispy edges of a kimchi pancake. But the true magic of mandu lies in their endless variations.
One might hold a savory blend of pork and kimchi, another delicate glass noodles with mushrooms. Each household cherishes its own secret recipe, a unique fingerprint of taste which has been passed down through generations!
Final thoughts
So, from their humble beginnings to their modern forms, Korean mandu stands as a delicious testament to the country's rich culinary heritage and spirit of innovation. Whether savored as a simple street snack, a comforting addition to a hearty soup, or an elegant offering in a fine restaurant, these versatile dumplings encapsulate the Korean love for shared meals! It's a cultural icon, lovingly folded and eagerly enjoyed across generations.
Mandu fan? Drop a comment and let us know your favorite mandu flavors!