In this tutorial I am showing you 6 super easy methods to close the dumplings. You can find a step-by-step photo guide for each method in the recipe below. You will also see a video tutorial at the end of the post for an easier reference on each fold.
The 6 shapes are easy to master and perfect for presentation of serving your dumplings. At the same time they fulfill your needs to cook the dumplings in different ways: to pan-fry, to steam and to boil.
If you are interested to learn how to prepare Chinese dumplings from zero, check out my Online Cooking Class!
HOW TO FOLD THE DUMPLINGS IN 6 WAYS
Course: BASIC PREPARATIONSCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Low6 folds of Chinese dumplings for beginners
INGREDIENTS
Dumplings wraps
Preparation
- #1. Fold in the shape of Guo Tie
- Fold the dumpling in half. Pinch the top to seal.
- Push the end of the edge on your right inward to form two ears.
- Pinch to seal.
- Repeat this on the left end to have a form of Guo Tie.
You can easily put more quantity of filling into the dumplings using this way of folding. This is a perfect shape for making steam-fried dumplings.
- #2. Fold in the shape of Yuan Bao
- Place the filling at the center, then half fold the wrap.
- Pinch the edge to seal.
- Bring two ends towards each other and pinch them together.
This shape is similar to Yuan Bao, the ancient Chinese currency. It is perfect to make steamed and steam-fried dumplings.
- #3. Classic Fold of ShuiJiao
- Half fold the wrap. Hold each end between your thumb and index fingers.
- Bring two ends towards each other to form two ears on the edge.
- Bring the ears to the edge and pinch them to seal.
This fold was my first mastered way to close the dumplings. It is perfect to make Shuijiao (water boiled dumplings).
- #4. Fold in the shape of half-moon I
- Half fold the wrap and close the top at the center.
- Bring the fold on your right towards the center and pinch to seal.
- Keep doing this until the end.
- Do the same on the left side to close the dumplings with pleats.
This way is commonly used in Japanese Gyoza making. It is perfect to cook steamed and steam-fried dumplings.
- #5. Fold in the shape of half-moon II
- Lift up the edge and bring the left fold towards the right.
- Press the fold one after the other.
- Keep doing this around 6 - 8 times until half wrap is folded.
- Bring the rest half of the wrap towards the pleats and pinch to seal.
This is my favorite way to fold the dumplings. I always show it to my customers during the cooking class. This shape is perfect for steamed and steam-fried dumplings.
- #6. Fold in the shape of Baozi
- Do the same moves as the #5 method above.
- Instead of stopping halfway, finish folding the whole wrap to turn the half-moon to full-moon.
- Pinch the pleats to seal the round shape Baozi.
This fold is perfect for steamed and steam-fried dumplings.
TUTORIAL: HOW TO CLOSE CHINESE DUMPLINGS IN 6 EASY WAYS
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Online Cooking Class: Dumplings w/ Meat Filling
Learn how to make the Chinese dumplings from scratch! During this 2-hour online cooking class, you will learn how to prepare the dumpling wraps, the filling and how to fold the dumplings in different ways. I will guide you step-by-step by showing you what to do and answer any question you may have during the whole preparation on live.
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