steamed kimchi mandu (Korean kimchi dumplings)

Steamed kimchi mandu, or Korean kimchi dumplings, were one of the common street foods I encountered a lot during my trip to Korea! In addition to the fermented kimchi, a few ingredients like sweet potato starch noodles and tofu make them distinctly different from the kinds of Chinese dumplings I grew up eating. Other common filling ingredients are garlic chives and mung bean sprouts. These specific ones are inspired by a Korean grandma’s in LA! 

A few tips for the best steamed kimchi mandu

1. Remove as much liquid as possible from the tofu, so that it can absorb the delicious flavors from the kimchi. Too much moisture in the tofu initially will produce a filling that’s too wet and falls apart too easily. 
2. Try to find Korean dumpling wrappers! They’re made of wheat flour and are thicker and chewier than wonton wrappers. 
3. Let your dumpling wrappers come to room temperature (covered or sealed so they don’t dry out) before folding them. This makes them more pliable and easy to work with. 

Steamed Kimchi Mandu (Korean Kimchi Dumplings)

These Korean kimchi dumplings are filled with nutritious and tasty ingredients! They're easily customizable with what you have on hand or to your own taste preferences. Other common ingredients for the filling are garlic chives and mung bean sprouts.

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Prep Time 45 minutesmins

Cook Time 15 minutesmins

Total Time 1 hourhr

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine korean

Servings 30large dumplings

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 30-40dumpling wrappers(Korean ones if available)

Dumpling filling

• 6ozground pork80/20 lean to fat ratio
• 5ozfermented kimchi
• 6ozfirm tofu
• 2ozsweet potato starch noodles / vermicelli / glass noodles
• 1/4onionfinely diced
• 2stalksscallionsthinly sliced
• 3-4clovesgarlicminced or grated
• 1tbspgingerminced or grated
• 1/2tspsalt
• 1/8tspblack pepper
• 1tbspsoy sauce
• 1tspsesame oil
• 1/2tspsugar
• 2tspgochugaru(Korean red pepper flakes)
• 1/2tspchicken bouillon powder(optional)

Dipping sauce

• 2tbspsoy sauce
• 2tspfermented kimchi brine(or rice vinegar, reduce to 1 tsp)
• 1/2tspsesame oil
• gochugaru to taste(Korean red pepper flakes)
• sliced scallions
• sesame seeds

Instructions

Prepare the filling ingredients

• If your dumpling wrappers are in the fridge, take them out to come to room temp. Boil the sweet potato starch noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Chop into small 1/2 inch pieces.
  30-40 dumpling wrappers, 2 oz sweet potato starch noodles / vermicelli / glass noodles
• Crumble and press the firm tofu between paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible with a paper towel or clean cloth. Doing so will prevent the filling from becoming too wet and from falling apart.
  6 oz firm tofu
• Cut or chop the fermented kimchi into smaller bite-sized pieces. Remove any excess liquid. Some liquid will remain in the kimchi itself, which will flavor the filling.
  5 oz fermented kimchi
• Mix together all the filling ingredients and seasonings until everything’s well incorporated and a bit sticky. If there’s any excess liquid, absorb with a paper towel. 
  6 oz ground pork, 2 stalks scallions, 3-4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp ginger, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp gochugaru, 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder, 1/4 onion

Wrap the dumplings

• Add 1.5-2 tbsp of filling to the center of a dumpling wrapper, then line the edges on the top half with water. Make a half moon and pinch the edges to seal. Evenly distribute the filling inside the dumpling.
• You can leave as half moons or make the shape in the video by bringing the two edges together, dabbing a touch of water on one edge, and folding them together. Repeat with the rest. Place a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap over the folded dumplings to ensure they don’t dry out while you are wrap the rest. 
• Place them onto a steamer lined with parchment, and press down lightly to form the circular shape. Make sure edges are sealed, and line with a touch of water to keep them from drying.

Cook the dumplings

• Steam on medium-high heat for 12-13 minutes. In the meantime, mix together dipping sauce ingredients. Enjoy immediately for best results!
  2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp fermented kimchi brine, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, gochugaru to taste, sliced scallions, sesame seeds
• For any unsteamed dumplings, freeze them in a single layer (without them touching) first for 1 hour — this ensures they don't stick together. Then put them all together in a bag or container to store in the freezer. 

Video

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Keyword kimchi dumplings, kimchi mandu, korean dumplings

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