Recipe: Korean Mandoo (Dumplings)

Thinking about studying Korean in South Korea and want to try your hand at making a traditional Korean meal?

Follow this Korean dumpling recipe for mandoo that are easy to make and can be prepared in large quantities in advance and stored in the freezer for future use. Korean dumplings are traditionally made with a beef or pork filling, but chicken and vegetarian dumplings are also popular. Versatile and delicious, mandoo can be boiled, steamed, deep fried, pan-fried or added to soup. They are substantial enough for a main dish, but are also good as snack dishes or a mess-free lunch.

Prep Time: 30 minute

Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef or pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped cabbage (about 1/2 of a small cabbage head), parboiled
• 1/2 cup tofu (1 cake), chopped
• 4 oz mung bean or sweet potato noodles, soaked and then chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 package circular mandoo wrappers (or Japanese gyoza or Chinese wonton wrappers)

Preparation:

1. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine meat, onion, cabbage, tofu, and noodles.
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2. In a separate bowl, combine garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
   
   
3. Pour seasoning mixture over meat and vegetables and mix with hands to combine.
   
   
4. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of dumpling wrapper.
   
   
5. Dip your finger in water and wet the outside edge of the top half of the wrapper.
   
   
6. Fold the wrapper up to close and then crimp the edges.
   
   
7. Repeat until the filling is gone.
   
   
8. You can steam, boil, fry, or saute the dumplings as you wish.

(Serves 6)

* If you have extra dumpling wrappers, you can just cut them into slices and use them to make noodle soup.

** If you want to prepare a lot of dumplings in advance, steam the dumplings, wait for them to cool, and then freeze them. You can then use them anytime straight from the freezer without defrosting, whether you want to fry, saute, steam, or use them in soup.

For information about studying Korean in Korea, check out:

Korean School in Korea

Languages Abroad