Mandu is one of the typical food prepared and consumed by the entire family together in celebration of the Korean Lunar New Year for the well-being and health of the members. It is viewed as a figure of good luck for the upcoming year. In addition, it served feastings, ancestral rites, and winter periods.
These little wraps have many variations as more ingredients have become available in Korea, and the stuffing depends on the disposal of the contents, that is why mandu is considered a seasonal dish. Traditionally, this dumpling consists of meat, vegetables, and other stuffing.
In making the filling of mandu, one will need a large bowl for the mixing of the ingredients. The typical meat used is beef and pork, and vegetables include green cabbage, bean sprouts, onions, kimchi, scallions, garlic chives, mushrooms, and others. Tofu and dangmyeon (sweet potato starch noodles) are also often added in Korean dumplings.
Adjust the flavoring as needed by putting in more salt or soy sauce, or add more components if it's too salty. It is best to season the filling lightly if it is to be served with a dipping sauce.
For the dumpling wrappers, there are ready-made ones at supermarkets. In case there's none available near you, try to make them using these ingredients: all-purpose flour, salt, and hot water. First, mix these three until the dough comes together, and knead it in a bowl until it becomes fairly smooth, then let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Once ready to use, you can start making the wrappers by cutting the dough and pressing it with a rolling pin.
As soon as the wrappers are done, stuffing it with the ingredients comes next. In folding the dumpling, a scrambled egg is needed to make sure that the dough stays in place. There are lots of ways to fold the wrapper like pleats and half-moon shape.
Put a tablespoon of the meat and vegetable mixture at the center of the wrapper and fold the skin over. Press and seal the edges using your hands, and see to it that there are no gaps. Repeat these steps until you produce more dumplings. It is then up to you on how you would cook the mandu.
Learn how to make mandu at home with this simple, classic recipe and share it with your family and friends!
