Dumplings are a versatile and popular food found in many cultures worldwide. Small dough pieces filled with meat, vegetables, cheese, or fruit, they can be boiled, steamed, fried, or baked. If you’re a fan of dumplings, you might be surprised to learn that there are many other foods out there that are similar in taste and texture. This article will introduce similar foods, such as pierogi, samosas, and baozi, which are encased in dough or pastry. Whether you’re a dumpling lover or want to try something new, this article offers exciting culinary options.
1. Pierogi
Pierogi is a traditional Central and Eastern European dish that consists of small, filled dumplings. The dough is typically made from flour, eggs, water, and sometimes sour cream, and is filled with a variety of ingredients such as mashed potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, meat, or mushrooms. Once filled, the pierogi are boiled and then often pan-fried to give them a crispy exterior. Pierogi is a popular dish in countries like Poland, Ukraine, and Russia, and is often served with sour cream, bacon bits, and onions.
2. Gyoza
Gyoza is a popular Japanese dish that is similar to Chinese dumplings, but with a thinner and more delicate wrapper. The filling is typically made with ground pork, cabbage, garlic, and other seasonings, and the dumplings are often pan-fried until crispy. Gyoza is commonly served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil, and can be enjoyed as a snack or a main course. Some variations of gyoza also include seafood, chicken, or vegetarian fillings.
3. Empanadas
Empanadas are a type of pastry that originated in Latin America and Spain. The pastry is typically made from flour, butter, and water, and is filled with a variety of ingredients such as beef, chicken, cheese, vegetables, or fruit. Empanadas can be baked or fried until golden brown and crispy, and are often served as a snack or a meal. In some Latin American countries, empanadas are a traditional food that is often eaten during festivals or celebrations.
4. Momo
Momo is a type of dumpling that is popular in Nepal, Tibet, and some parts of India. The filling can be made with a variety of ingredients such as ground meat, vegetables, or cheese, and is typically seasoned with spices like cumin, coriander, and ginger. The dough is made from flour and water, and is then filled and shaped into small, crescent-shaped dumplings. Momo can be steamed or fried, and is often served with a spicy tomato-based dipping sauce. Momo is a staple food in Nepal and is often eaten as a snack or a meal.
5. Samosas
Samosas are a type of filled pastry that originated in South Asia and are a popular snack and street food. The pastry is typically made with flour and filled with a savory mixture of spiced potatoes, peas, onions, and sometimes meat. The filling is then wrapped in the pastry and shaped into a triangular or cone shape. Samosas are often deep-fried until crispy and served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as mint chutney or tamarind sauce. They are a staple food in many South Asian countries, and their popularity has spread to other parts of the world as well.
6. Kreplach
Kreplach is a type of Jewish dumpling that is typically filled with ground meat or cheese and is a staple food during the Jewish holiday of Purim. The dough is made from flour, eggs, water, and salt, and is rolled out and cut into small squares. The filling is then placed on the dough square, and the edges are sealed to form a small triangular or rectangular-shaped dumpling. Kreplach can be boiled and served in soup or fried and served as a side dish. They are often served with a variety of toppings, such as fried onions or sour cream.
7. Wontons
Wontons are a type of Chinese dumpling that are often served in soup or deep-fried as a snack or appetizer. The filling is typically made with ground pork or shrimp, scallions, and other seasonings such as soy sauce and sesame oil. The filling is then wrapped in a thin sheet of dough and formed into a small triangular or rectangular shape. Wontons can be boiled in soup or deep-fried until crispy and served with a dipping sauce such as soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce. They are a popular dish in many Chinese restaurants around the world.
8. Ravioli
Ravioli is a type of Italian dumpling that is typically filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, and served with a variety of sauces such as tomato sauce or pesto. The dough is made from flour, eggs, and sometimes water, and is rolled out and cut into small circles or squares. The filling is then placed on the dough and covered with another layer of dough to form a small pillow-shaped dumpling. Ravioli can be boiled and served with sauce or pan-fried until crispy and served as a side dish or appetizer. They are a popular dish in many Italian restaurants around the world.
9. Mandu
Mandu is a type of Korean dumpling that is traditionally filled with a mixture of meat, vegetables, and sometimes tofu, and then boiled, steamed, or fried. It is often served with a soy-vinegar dipping sauce and can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, including crescent-shaped and cylindrical.
10. Baozi
Baozi is a type of Chinese steamed bun that is typically filled with pork, vegetables, or other savory ingredients. It is a popular breakfast food and snack in China, and can be found in both savory and sweet varieties. Baozi is made by wrapping the filling in a dough that is then steamed until fluffy and tender.
11. Pirozhki
Pirozhki is a type of Russian pastry that is similar to a small, savory pie or turnover. The pastry is typically filled with a savory filling, such as meat, cabbage, or cheese, and then baked or fried until golden brown. Pirozhki can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, including round, oblong, and triangular.
12. Kibbeh
Kibbeh is a Middle Eastern dish that is made from ground meat (usually beef or lamb) and bulgur wheat, which is then mixed with a variety of herbs and spices. The mixture is shaped into balls or patties and typically fried or baked. Kibbeh can be served as an appetizer, snack, or main course, and is often accompanied by yogurt or a tahini-based sauce.
13. Knishes
Knishes are a type of Jewish pastry that originated in Eastern Europe. They are typically made with a filling of mashed potatoes, cheese, or meat, which is then wrapped in a dough and either baked or fried until golden brown. Knishes can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, including round, square, and oblong.
14. Cornish Pasty
A Cornish pasty is a type of pastry that is traditionally associated with Cornwall, a region in southwest England. It is typically filled with meat (usually beef), potatoes, and vegetables such as carrots and onions, and then baked until the pastry is golden brown and crispy. The pasty has a distinctive “D” shape, with a crimped edge that was traditionally used as a handle for miners to hold while eating.
15. Knödel
Knödel is a type of dumpling that is popular in Central European cuisine. They are typically made from bread, potatoes, or semolina, and can be filled with a variety of ingredients such as bacon, onion, or cheese. Knödel can be boiled, baked, or fried, and are often served as a side dish with meat or as a main course on their own.
16. Apple Dumplings
Apple dumplings are a type of dessert that originated in the United States. They are made by wrapping a whole apple in pastry dough and then baking it until the pastry is golden brown and the apple is soft and tender. Apple dumplings are often served with a sweet sauce, such as caramel or vanilla cream, and are a popular autumn and winter dessert.
17. Pitepalt
Pitepalt is a type of Swedish dumpling that is traditionally made with a mixture of grated raw and cooked potatoes, flour, and salt, and sometimes stuffed with pork or bacon. The dumplings are boiled until they float to the surface and are often served with lingonberry jam or melted butter.
18. Khinkali
Khinkali is a type of Georgian dumpling that is typically filled with spiced meat (usually beef or pork), vegetables, or cheese. The dumplings are boiled in salted water and are traditionally eaten by hand, with the broth inside the dumpling being sipped before eating the rest.
19. Pelmeni
Pelmeni is a type of Russian dumpling that is typically filled with minced meat (usually beef or pork) and onion, and sometimes seasoned with garlic or spices. The dumplings are boiled until they float to the surface and are often served with sour cream or melted butter.
20. Modak
Modak is a type of sweet dumpling that is popular in Indian cuisine, especially in the western state of Maharashtra. The dumplings are typically made with a filling of coconut, jaggery (a type of unrefined cane sugar), and cardamom, and are then steamed or fried. Modak is often associated with the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, and is believed to be the favorite food of the elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesha.
21. Manti
Manti is a type of Central Asian dumpling that is typically filled with lamb or beef, onions, and spices. Manti is usually steamed and served with yogurt or a tomato sauce.
22. Bawan
Bawan is a type of Taiwanese dumpling that is made with a thick, glutinous rice flour wrapper and filled with pork, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms. Bawan is typically served with a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic.
23. Svestkove Knedliky
Svestkove knedliky is a type of Czech dumpling that is made from a mixture of mashed potatoes, flour, and eggs, and then filled with whole plums. The dumplings are then boiled and typically served with a sweet topping such as butter, sugar, or cinnamon.
