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You are here: Home > Archives > Recipes > Mandu (Korean Dumplings)

Mandu (Korean Dumplings)

February 11, 2021 by Holly Ford 15 Comments

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These Korean dumplings (mandu) are filled with pork, cabbage, chives, and Korean sweet potato noodles. They are juicy and so delicious.

Mandu (Korean dumpling) is a traditional Lunar New year food in Korea

When it comes to Lunar New Year traditions in Korea, you can’t skip Mandu (만두), or Korean dumplings, as a part of a New Year feast. These mandu are filled with juicy meats and vegetables. Taking a bite is truly satisfying and enjoyable experience.

Although Kimchi tofu pork mandu (김치만두) is one of the most well known dumplings in Korea, people also like to fill their mandu with a variety of fillings. These dumplings are made with ground pork, cabbage, chives, leek, and Korean sweet potato noodles (dangmyun, 당면).

Making homemade mandu is a wonderful family activity that brings joy and happiness during the Lunar New Year. Imagine a scene of family members gathered around the table working with their hands to make delicious dumplings together to celebrate the new beginning of a year. After all, these dumplings are believed to bless you and your family.

Steaming Korean dumplings in a bamboo steamer brings the best result

My childhood memories of Lunar New Year are filled with helping my mother preparing festive foods to celebrate. These Korean pork dumplings are one of them. I recall that she tried a different filling for her mandu every year.

Since my father was the heir in his family lineage, all of his siblings including my uncles, aunts, and cousins, came to our house to celebrate the Lunar New Year together. Subsequently we ate these mandu as a snack or a simple lunch. Oh, how delicious they were!

Homemade dumpling wrappers (mandu-pi) for Korean dumlpings

Mandu Wrappers (Mandu-pi,만두피)

Making homemade mandu has two components; the dumpling wrappers and the filling. Don’t be afraid to make homemade dumpling wrappers from scratch. If you are looking for a true Korean mandu experience, I recommend my homemade Korean dumpling wrappers (mandu-pi) recipe.

Korean dumpling wrappers are made with flour, sweet rice flour, and a little cornstarch. The tender yet chewy texture of these dumpling wrappers make quite a difference compared to most other Asian dumpling wrappers.

On the other hand, store-bought dumpling wrappers do come in handy, and they make delicious semi-homemade mandu as well. When making Koran style mandu, look for the large size wrappers, about 5 inches in diameter.

Mandu filling (Mandu-sok,만두속)

Traditional Korean dumplings are made with minced pork. Its mild yet juicy flavor and texture mingles well with any vegetables you add. Chopped sour kimchi, mung bean sprouts, and tofu are typical filling ingredients to go with pork.

I recommend using slightly fatty ground pork for the filling, about 80/20 meat to fat ratio. The fat makes the filling juicy and tender. Pork that is too lean yields a dry texture — you don’t want that.

How To Make Mandu From Scratch

Pork, cabbage, chives, Asain leeks, Korean sweet potato noodles make a wonderful filling for mandu

You will need ground pork, nappa cabbage, Asian chives, Asian leek (or green onion), Korean sweet potato noodles (dangmyun).

Sprinkle 1 tsp salt on the chopped cabbage and let it soak for 10 minutes. When the cabbage becomes lifeless, squeeze it out to get rid of moisture.

Chop chives and leeks finely. If you can’t find Asian chives, increase the amount of green onion.

  • Korean sweet potato noodles (dangmyun)
  • dangmyun needs to be chopped to use in mandu filling

Boil Korean sweet potato noodles according to the package directions, about 6-7 minutes. Rinse in cold water and drain well. Chop into small pieces.

Put pork, cabbage, chives, leek, and noodles in a large mixing bowl. Season with soy sauce, sweet rice wine, ginger, sesame oil, and pepper; mix well with your hand until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

How To Fold Dumplings

My mother used to say if you can fold a pretty mandu, you will have a good looking son. If you can make Korean sweet rice cakes (songpyeon) into a perfect shape, you will have a pretty daughter. I think she was right! I do have a good looking son and a pretty daughter.

There are so many different shapes and patterns of folding dumplings. Here are the two of the most popular and easy.

Half Moon Shape

Half moon shaped dumplings are the most common in Korean dumplings. This shape is perfect for steaming and making soup. If you are thinking of making Korean dumpling soup, use this shape.

  • Put a heaping tablespoon of filling in the middle of wrapper, wet the edges of wrapper with water using your finger.
  • Fold the wrapper in half and pinch the edges together.
  • Bring the both ends toward the center.
  • Pinch the ends together to complete.
A Pleated shape for Korean dumplings

Pleated Shape

Pleated shape is a great option for both steamed and pan-fried dumplings. If you have never folded dumplings before, try with a small amount of filling inside first.

  • Put some filling in the middle of the wrapper and wet the edges with water using your finger.
  • Bring one edge to the other and pinch in the center first, then make a small pleat on one side facing toward the center .
  • Continue to make more pleats, usually about 4 pleats.
  • Create the same number of pleats on the other side, facing the pleats toward the center.
A half moon shape for Korean dumplings

How To Steam Dumplings

  • Bring a small amount of water in a large pot to boil. (Make sure the bottom of your steamer doesn’t touch the water.)
  • Place dumplings without touching each other in a bamboo steamer (or regular steamer), lined with a cheese cloth or a steam liner.
  • When the water boils, place the steamer over or in the pot.
  • Cover and steam for 5 minutes.

Freezing Tips

It is always a good idea to make abundant homemade mandu because they freeze beautifully. Make sure to sprinkle flour on a large tray so that the mandu won’t stick to the tray. Place mandu pieces on the tray without touching each other. Freeze for an hour or until they are frozen solid. Transfer mandu pieces to a freezer bag. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer.

If you like this post or have tried this recipe, please rate it below by clicking stars in the comment section. Stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram for all the latest updates.

Mandu (Korean pork dumplings)

Mandu (Korean Dumplings)

Holly Ford
These Korean dumplings are filled with pork, cabbage, chives, and Korean sweet potato noodles. They are juicy and so delicious
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Comment
Prep Time 1 hr 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine Korean

Equipment

  • Bamboo Steamer

Ingredients
  

  • 7 oz nappa cabbage
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 oz Korean sweet potato noodles (dangmyun)
  • 1 1/2 lb minced pork
  • 1 cup finely chopped Asian chives
  • 1 cup finely chopped Asian leeks or green onion
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp sweet rice wine (mirim)
  • 1 tsp ginger puree
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 3/4 tsp black pepper
  • 40 large dumpling wrappers about 5-inch diameter

For dipping sauce

  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp Korean chili flakes optional

Instructions
 

  • To make the filling; chop nappa cabbage finely and put it in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1 tsp salt and toss together; let it sit for 10 minutes. When the cabbage becomes lifeless, squeeze it out to get rid of moisture.
  • Boil Korean sweet potato noodles according to the package directions, about 6-7 minutes. Rinse in cold water and drain well. Chop into small pieces.
  • Put pork, cabbage, chives, leeks, and noodles in a large mixing bowl. Season with soy sauce, sweet rice wine, ginger, sesame oil, and pepper; mix well with your hand until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

To shape half moon dumplings

  • Put a heaping tablespoon of filling in the middle of wrapper, wet the edges of wrapper with water using your finger. Fold the wrapper in half and pinch the edges together. Bring the both ends toward the center. Pinch the ends together to complete.

To shape pleated dumplings

  • Put some filling in the middle of the wrapper and wet the edges with water using your finger. Bring one edge to the other and pinch in the center first, then make a small pleat on one side facing toward the center. Continue to make more pleats, usually about 4 pleats. Create the same number of pleats on the other side, facing the pleats toward the center.
  • To steam the dumplings, bring a small amount of water in a large pot to boil. Make sure the bottom of your steamer doesn't touch the water. Place mandu without touching each other in a bamboo steamer (or regular steamer), lined with a cheese cloth or a steam liner. When the water boils, place the steamer over or in the pot. Cover and steam for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
  • Meanwhile, make dipping sauce to go with dumplings. Combine all the sauce ingredients and drizzle it over dumplings.

Notes

To freeze dumplings; sprinkle flour on a large tray so that the dumpling won’t stick to the tray. Place dumpling pieces on the tray without touching each other. Freeze for an hour or until they are frozen solid. Transfer dumpling pieces to a freezer bag. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Keyword homemade dumplings, korean dumplings, korean pork dumplings, mandu, pork dumplings, pork mandu
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Filed Under: Appetizers, Archives, Asian Recipes, Korean Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: Pork

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Comments

  1. John / Kitchen Riffs says

    February 11, 2021 at 11:53 am

    Love, love, LOVE dumplings! Any and all. 🙂 These look so terrific — thanks.

    Reply
    • Holly Ford says

      February 11, 2021 at 5:47 pm

      I can eat any dumplings all the time, too.

      Reply
  2. angiesrecipes says

    February 11, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    They look very yummy and just remind me that I haven’t made or had dumplings in a while. Wish I could taste some of yours now 🙂

    Reply
    • Holly Ford says

      February 11, 2021 at 5:46 pm

      I wish I can share with you, too. Hope you get to try some dumplings soon.

      Reply
  3. [email protected] is How I Cook says

    February 11, 2021 at 10:46 pm

    5 stars
    I love dumplings of every sort. These sound great. My son is home from Taiwan and we plan on making a bunch this weekend!

    Reply
    • Holly Ford says

      February 12, 2021 at 1:32 pm

      I used to live in Taiwan, about 25 years ago, and I miss that place a lot. Good food!
      I am sure it is so nice to have your son coming home from far away. Hope you have a good time with him making dumplings. How fun!!

      Reply
  4. Michelle | Sift & Simmer says

    February 12, 2021 at 3:17 pm

    5 stars
    I love all types of dumplings and these mandu are are no exception! They look delicious! Love the pleating instructions too. Thanks for stopping by my site, Holly! Glad to meet you here 🙂

    Reply
    • Holly Ford says

      February 12, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      Thank you Michelle. Dumplings of all kind are the best thing in the world!

      Reply
  5. Healthy says

    February 12, 2021 at 4:04 pm

    5 stars
    Happy Lunar New Year Holly! What a fabulous post with great tips and step by steps for making Korean dumplings. Photos are just gorgeous too. Wishing you a super weekend ahead.

    Reply
    • Holly Ford says

      February 12, 2021 at 6:02 pm

      Thank you. Wishing you a happy healthy New Year to you as well.

      Reply
  6. Holly says

    February 14, 2021 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    Hello, I made your dumpling wrapper and filling for Valentine’s day and Lunar new year. So good. I don’t know why I was intimidated in making dumplings. My daughter and I made them together. It took a bit of time getting used to rolling out the wrappers. I finally got it circular towards the end. The filling is very good and juicy. My daughter, a teen, said it was good and that’s huge. I’m excited to make more and freeze. Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Holly Ford says

      February 14, 2021 at 6:38 pm

      That’s so neat to hear you and your daughter loved my dumpling recipe. How sweet it is to make dumplings together as a family! I know making dumplings from scratch can be intimidating at first. But I think, with a little practice, anyone can make beautiful dumplings. Glad that you are making more. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Holly says

        February 15, 2021 at 12:25 am

        5 stars
        Quick update, my husband and son came back later in the day. Son, gobbled them up. Loved the filling. And husband kissed me and told me to make more. Followed your recipe exactly.Thanks again. Sending you a big hug!

        Reply
  7. David @ Spiced says

    February 15, 2021 at 7:37 am

    5 stars
    Haha – I love your mother’s comments about having a good looking son and daughter! Based on these dumplings, I think it’s safe to say you do indeed have a good looking son and daughter. These look amazing! I’ve never made dumplings at home from scratch, but the pandemic seems to be a good excuse to tackle a project like this. My mouth is watering just thinking about these!

    Reply
    • Holly Ford says

      February 15, 2021 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks David for your nice comment. I do, indeed, have beautiful son and daughter. Making homemade dumplings every New Year wishing for beautiful kids did seem to work!
      Hope you get to try. It’s time consuming, but therapeutic and relaxing work to do with loved ones. You will be rewarded.

      Reply

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Welcome to Beyond Kimchee!

Welcome to Beyond Kimchee

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I am Holly, a native Korean mother and a wife whose favorite place in the house is the KITCHEN. I hope you find lip-smackingly delicious Korean recipes and beyond in my site.

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