What's best for Chinese dumplings, fry or steam?
Jun 17, 2010, 2:58 pm
#3
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If done right, i'd say fried, though steamed seems like the healthier and safer bet. I've had some bad fried dumplings, a lot fewer bad steamed ones.
Jun 17, 2010, 3:58 pm
#4
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Best? In terms of enjoyment, I go with pan fried. Best health wise, probably steamed.
I try to eat healthy, but I don't like to take that route for my splurge foods. At best, I eat dumplings once a month. For the treat, I'm ordering them fried. I don't like brown rice sushi or whole wheat pasta for the same reasons.
I try to eat healthy, but I don't like to take that route for my splurge foods. At best, I eat dumplings once a month. For the treat, I'm ordering them fried. I don't like brown rice sushi or whole wheat pasta for the same reasons.
Jun 18, 2010, 2:22 pm
#9
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There are different types of Chinese "dumplings". Some are made with a filling and wrapper suitable for pan frying. Others are made for steaming, such as the xiao long bao of Din Tai Fung. So the answer is "it depends". The average dumpling you'll find in a supermarket, I'll steam or boil or pan fry, depending on my mood. The wrapper used for those can handle lots of cooking methods.
Jun 18, 2010, 5:01 pm
#10
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I'll join the it depends camp.
The guy at the edge of chinatown in New York with the card who made the giant steamed dumplings ht then put in a wok to pan fry the bottoms and make them crispy on the bottom was the best ever, so in that case, a combination.
The guy at the edge of chinatown in New York with the card who made the giant steamed dumplings ht then put in a wok to pan fry the bottoms and make them crispy on the bottom was the best ever, so in that case, a combination.
Jun 18, 2010, 5:23 pm
#11
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My preference is steamed, a browning of the bottom at most. This way, I get to savor the flavor of the contents, especially shrimp, which gets masked when fried.
Jun 18, 2010, 5:40 pm
#12
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There is no best, it depends on my mood, some days I am in a steam mood, and some days a fried mood.
However what is best is Chinese black vinegar on them
However what is best is Chinese black vinegar on them
Jun 18, 2010, 5:50 pm
#13
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Jun 18, 2010, 11:39 pm
#14
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Add some chopped scallions on top as well.
However, switching to another steamed thing, bread, then cooked over open coals streetside...with a 5 spice blend. It is great.
Jun 19, 2010, 4:58 am
#15
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I used to work as a prep and fry cook in a Chinese restaurant, so I had to make and cook a lot of dumplings. If I make a fresh batch at home, I prefer them steamed or quickly boiled only because I'm already hungry and pan-frying is one more step between me and eating. 
If it's a pre-made batch or I have a lot of time, getting a nice brown crisp on them is a great way to go.
If it's a pre-made batch or I have a lot of time, getting a nice brown crisp on them is a great way to go.