What are dumplings?

Dumplings are one of those things almost everyone has heard of, but not many people can actually explain.

Search for dumplings on Google and you’ll find no shortage of different descriptions and explanations. The same goes whether you search in Danish or English:

• What is dumplings?
• What is dumpling?
• What are dumplings?

It’s not surprising. Even the history of where dumplings come from is up for debate. Some believe they were first introduced during the Han Dynasty in ancient China, while other accounts point toward Europe.

But wherever they came from, the truth is that when most people think of dumplings, they picture Japanese gyoza, Shanghai dumplings, soup dumplings, wontons, and the many other small Asian dishes that fit the same description.

So, what are dumplings?

Dumplings are small, flavorful bites made from dough folded or wrapped around a filling. The filling combinations are endless: meat, seafood, fish, vegetables, noodles, and plenty more.

What they all have in common is that they can be steamed, pan fried, or deep fried, and served as a main dish or as part of a larger spread. Dumplings are also eaten at any time of day, from breakfast through dinner, usually alongside a variety of other small dishes.

As for the filling, it really comes down to whatever you want. The only limit is your imagination.

Is there a difference between dumplings and Dim Sum?

In theory, there’s no real difference between dumplings and dim sum. Dumplings are part of dim sum, and dim sum includes dumplings. In China, if you have two or three different dumpling dishes on the table, that’s called dim sum.

But if you have one, ten, or a hundred of the same dish, it’s still just dumplings.