The 20 Best Dumplings in the World
Every culture eventually discovers the same truth: wrap something delicious in dough, and it gets better. From Georgia’s soup-filled khinkali to Poland’s buttery pierogi, these are the 20 best dumplings in the world — a family reunion of parcels, each with an authentic recipe.
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Xiaolongbao
ChinaShanghai's soup dumplings — hot broth sealed in a pleated purse, eaten with reverence and caution.
Meet Xiaolongbao, the delicate soup dumplings that have become one of China's most celebrated bites. Beneath a thin, pleated wrapper sits a parcel of savoury filling and a burst of hot, fragrant broth that floods the mouth with …
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Khinkali
GeorgiaTwisted topknots full of peppery broth — hold the stem, bite, slurp, repeat.
Discover Khinkali, the pleated dumplings that Georgians treat as a national treasure! Each one holds a spoonful of juicy, herb-flecked filling sealed inside a soft, hand-twisted wrapper. Eating them is half the fun: you grip the …
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Pierogi
PolandHalf-moons of potato and cheese in brown butter — Poland's most beloved export after Chopin.
Discover Pierogi, the beloved filled dumplings that stand at the very heart of Polish cooking! These tender parcels of dough wrap around a whole world of fillings — from savoury potato and cheese to minced meat, sauerkraut, …
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Gyoza
JapanPan-fried until crisp below, steamed above — Japan's perfect ratio of crunch to tenderness.
Say hello to Gyoza, Japan's irresistible little dumplings with a crisp, golden base and a juicy, savoury filling tucked inside. Each delicate parcel wraps tender meat and finely chopped vegetables in a thin, pleated wrapper, then …
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Pelmeni
RussiaTiny Siberian meat dumplings made by the hundred and frozen in the snow — genius logistics.
Meet Pelmeni, the little parcels of dough and meat that sit at the very heart of the Russian table. Tender pockets wrapped around a savoury filling of seasoned minced meat and onion, they are the kind of warming, homely fare …
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Mantı
TurkeyThumbnail-sized dumplings under garlic yogurt and paprika butter — Turkey's tiny masterpiece.
Meet Manti, the little filled parcels that sit at the very heart of Turkish home cooking. These dainty pockets of dough are stuffed with spiced minced meat and baked until golden and crisp, making them every bit as welcome as a …
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Varenyky
UkraineUkraine's soulful half-moons — sour cherry ones in summer are a national event.
Meet Varenyky, the filled dumplings that sit at the very heart of the Ukrainian table. Soft parcels of tender dough wrap around a huge range of fillings — from silky potato mash to plump sweet cherries and tangy cheese — making …
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Mandu
South KoreaKimchi and pork in delicate wrappers — steamed, fried or floating in New Year's soup.
Meet Mandu, the much-loved Korean dumpling that brings a little comfort to any table. These tender parcels of dough wrap around all manner of fillings — savoury meat, crisp vegetables or silky tofu — and can be steamed, pan-fried …
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Buuz
MongoliaSteamed mutton dumplings, eaten by the dozen at Lunar New Year — Mongolia's festive fuel.
Say hello to Buuz, the beloved steamed dumplings at the heart of Mongolian cooking. Tender parcels of dough are wrapped around a savoury filling of seasoned meat, then gently steamed until juicy and irresistible. Traditionally …
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Cepelinai
LithuaniaZeppelin-shaped potato giants filled with meat — Lithuania's gloriously heavy champion.
Meet Cepelinai, the hearty pride of Lithuania's kitchen! These plump potato dumplings — nicknamed "zeppelins" for their airship-like shape — are stuffed with minced meat, curd cheese or mushrooms and crowned with a rich, savoury …
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Gnocchi
ItalyPotato pillows that count as dumplings on any honest list — Thursday is their day in Rome.
Pillowy, tender and endlessly comforting, Gnocchi are one of the great treasures of Italian home cooking. These little potato dumplings have a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture and a remarkable knack for soaking up whatever sauce …
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Kazakh Manti
KazakhstanSteamed giants with lamb and pumpkin — the Silk Road's larger, wilder mantı.
Discover Manti, the beloved national dish of Kazakhstan! These tender steamed dumplings are filled with a fragrant blend of minced meat and onions, then gently cooked over steam until wonderfully juicy. Deeply rooted in the …
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Knedlíky
CzechiaSliced bread dumplings born to carry sauce — no Czech plate is complete without them.
Say hello to Knedlíky, the soft, pillowy dumplings that sit at the very heart of Czech home cooking. Boiled rather than baked and sliced into neat rounds, they are the classic partner to a rich meaty sauce or a bowl of steaming …
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Empanadas
ArgentinaBaked half-moons of spiced beef — Argentina's handheld pride, one province at a time.
Discover Empanadas de Carne, one of Argentina's most beloved bites! These savoury filled pastries are simple to make at home, packing seasoned beef mince, onions and peppers into a golden, crimped parcel. They are the sort of food …
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Kroppkakor
SwedenPotato dumplings hiding smoky pork — Sweden's sturdy answer to a long winter.
Meet Kroppkakor, one of Sweden's most comforting country classics! These plump potato dumplings hide a savoury filling of pork and onion, and they turn up wherever Swedes gather to share a hearty, homely meal. Served with a …
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Dampfnudeln
GermanySteamed yeast dumplings, crisp-bottomed and cloud-topped — Bavaria's sweet trick.
Meet Dampfnudeln, a treasured classic of southern German cooking! These soft, pillowy yeast dumplings are gently steamed until they turn wonderfully light and airy, then served with a silky vanilla sauce. Equally at home as a …
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Marillenknödel
AustriaWhole apricots wrapped in potato dough, rolled in buttered crumbs — Austria's summer poem.
Few sweets capture the spirit of an Austrian summer quite like apricot dumplings. Tender parcels of soft dough cradle a whole ripe apricot, then roll in golden, buttery breadcrumbs and a snowfall of icing sugar. Light yet …
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Coxinha
BrazilTeardrop croquettes of creamy chicken — Brazil's street-corner dumpling in disguise.
Say hello to Coxinha, one of Brazil's most irresistible street-food snacks! These golden, teardrop-shaped morsels hide a savoury chicken filling beneath a wonderfully crisp coating, making them a firm favourite at parties, …
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Modak
IndiaSweet coconut-jaggery dumplings beloved of Ganesha himself — divine credentials included.
Meet Modak, one of India's most cherished sweets and a true festive treat. These delicate, pleated dumplings are made from soft rice flour and filled with a fragrant mixture of coconut and jaggery. More than a simple pudding, …
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