the.com/dumplings

proof that every culture independently decided wrapping meat in dough was civilization's peak

means Small lumps of dough, often wrapped around or stuffed with a savory or sweet filling, then boiled, steamed, or fried.

from From 'dump' (in the old sense of a shapeless lump or clump) plus the diminutive '-ling,' so literally 'a little lump' — an apt name for these soft dough balls. The word surfaces in English around the 17th century; the deeper root of 'dump' is murky, possibly related to Low German or Scandinavian words for something thick and doughy. Every other culture, of course, arrived at the same delicious idea entirely on its own.

global cousins
pierogi, gyoza, momo, ravioli, empanada all kin
ancient origins
Chinese physician invented them as medicinal ear-shaped cures
lucky shape
resemble ancient silver ingots, eaten for wealth
world record
thousands folded per hour by champion pleaters
soup trick
xiao long bao hide melted jelly that becomes broth
for instance

xiaolongbao — shanghai soup dumplings with pork and aspic, originated in 1875 atgui hua lou restaurant

gyoza — japanese pan-fried dumplings with pork filling, popularized post-wwii from chinese jiaozi

pierogi — polish boiled dumplings filled with potato and cheese, traditional easter and christmas dish

dim sum — cantonese restaurant tradition of small steamed dumplings served in bamboo baskets since qing dynasty

the.com · every word