Mandu (만두) is simply a celebrated crockery successful Korean cuisine. They are Korean dumplings, which tin beryllium enjoyed some successful restaurants and astatine street nutrient stalls. Let’s return a look astatine nan astir celebrated Korean mandu variants!
Origins of Mandu
As for their origin, they mightiness person been introduced to Korea successful ancient times by Silk Road merchants, which would explicate nan similarity of nan sanction pinch Turkish manti and Chinese mantou. In position of flavor, we could alternatively comparison them to nan better-known Japanese gyoza aliases Chinese baozi.
There are truthful galore variations of Korean dumplings, which disagree successful their cooking method, style and filling. Let’s look astatine them successful detail.
10 variants of Korean dumplings
1. Jjin-mandu (찐만두)
One of nan astir typical versions is nan Korean steamed dumplings. Jjin-mandu (찐만두), comes from nan connection 찌다 (jji-da) which intends to steam. This is astir apt nan astir communal type of mandu you tin find successful Korea and it is wide enjoyed by locals and tourists.
Jjin-mandu is typically filled pinch minced nutrient (often pork aliases beef) and vegetables (cabbage and outpouring onions), and past steamed well, giving nan crockery a soft and moist texture. It is champion eaten dipped successful soy condiment aliases a spicy dipping sauce. An iconic nutrient pairing will beryllium Jjin-mandu pinch acold noodles.

2. Mul-mandu (물만두)
Mul-mandu (물만두), comes from nan connection 물 (mul) which intends water. A very literal translator is utilized to mention to Korean boiled dumplings. Similar to Jjin-mandu, it comes successful nutrient & rootlike fillings but Mul-mandu typically has a thicker mixed wrapper to forestall it from coming isolated while it is cooked successful boiling water.
The champion measurement to bask Mul-mandu is to brace it pinch a dipping condiment made pinch soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and Korean reddish chili flakes for added spice.
3. Gun-mandu (군만두)
Another version of Korean dumplings is nan Gun-mandu (군만두)! 군 derived from 굽다 (gupda) which really intends to grill, truthful Gun-mandu (군만두) are Korean dumplings cooked connected nan grill. With a thinner mixed connected nan outside, it gives that crispy texture while keeping nan filling wrong moist and flavorful.
Just for illustration nan Mul-mandu, a typical dipping condiment is served on pinch it and champion enjoyed pinch a vessel of Jjajangmyeon (noodles successful achromatic legume sauce).
4. Twigim-mandu (튀김만두)
Korean fried dumplings (튀김만두) pinch nan 튀김 deriving from 튀기다 (twigida) which refers to fry. These Korean dumplings are deep-fried successful oil, achieving a crispy exterior and juicy fillings. They are recovered mostly astatine thoroughfare nutrient stalls truthful you tin surely spot them easily.
When you bid Twigim-mandu astatine a Pocha, don’t hide to bask them pinch Tteokbokki (Korean atom cakes) aliases Eomuk (fish cakes)!
In summation to nan cooking method, Korean dumplings tin besides beryllium distinguished by their filling. You tin so capable them pinch immoderate you prefer, but immoderate fillings are much communal than others.

5. Gogi-mandu (고기만두)
These Korean dumplings are filled pinch nutrient (gogi), which tin beryllium either pork aliases beef, though pork is nan astir communal filling arsenic it is cheaper. Meat-filled mandu are often prepared successful their king-size form, frankincense taking nan sanction Wang-mandu (왕만두, from wang, King).
Wang-mandu (왕만두) is very filling owed to its size truthful it is usually served arsenic a main crockery connected its own, and usually comes successful 3-4 pieces. Of course, you tin still bid them arsenic a sharing crockery and bask different dishes astatine nan aforesaid time.
6. Kimchi-mandu (김치만두)
Filled pinch kimchi, nan Kimchi-mandu (김치만두) is made from fermented cabbage successful a spicy sauce. They are a bully action for those who for illustration vegetarian food. Kimchi dumplings are besides celebrated and often look successful their king-size form. Kimchi-mandu is usually tangy, spicy, and somewhat sour owed to nan kimchi’s presence.
Although Kimchi-mandu is commonly served by steaming, you whitethorn still find pan-fried versions astatine immoderate restaurants. Due to nan tangy flavor, it is champion enjoyed pinch a basking vessel of Kalguksu (Korean knife-cut noodle soup)!
7. Eo-mandu (어만두)
A typical type of Korean dumpling is 1 pinch a food aliases seafood filling, usually achromatic fish, often shaped for illustration a crescent moon. The seafood filling is cooked earlier being encased successful nan bladed mixed wrappers. This gives it a light, crispy texture while maintaining nan juiciness of nan seafood fillings.
Did you cognize that successful nan past, it was a crockery eaten chiefly by nan royal tribunal and different nobles? Today, you will beryllium capable to find it easy arsenic a snack aliases broadside dish.
8. So-mandu (소만두)
Contrary to what 1 mightiness deliberation since ‘so’ (소) intends beef, they are really vegetarian dumplings! Typical of Buddhist cuisine, they are Korean dumplings pinch a mushroom and walnut filling. Sadly, thing little communal you tin find successful Korea.
9. Yachae-mandu (야채만두)
Korean vegetarian dumplings are known arsenic Yachae-mandu (야채만두)! These are different delicious meatless crockery for those who can’t return spicy nutrient arsenic nan kimchi-mandu could beryllium a small challenging for non-spicy nutrient lovers.
As nan sanction suggests, Yachae-mandu only consists of vegetables, sometimes tofu and solid noodles. Despite being a meatless dish, it is good seasoned pinch soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and different seasonings to heighten its flavors.
10. Pyeonsu (편수)
Last connected our database of nan 10 champion variants of Korean dumplings is Pyeonsu (편수). These are rectangular dumplings filled pinch vegetables emblematic of North Korean cuisine. They are chiefly eaten successful summertime successful acold broth and tin beryllium recovered successful restaurants specialising successful North Korean cuisine.
We person seen a roundup of nan astir celebrated Korean dumplings, but support successful mind that location are galore different variations. They tin beryllium eaten connected their own, arsenic an accompaniment to immoderate different crockery aliases successful soups. And you, which of these types of mandu would you for illustration to effort successful Korea? Let america cognize successful nan comments!
For much connected Korean culture, support pursuing the Go! Go! Hanguk blog, watch our videos connected TikTok and do not hesitate to contact america astir surviving and studying successful Korea.
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