Dumplings can be made with a variety of tasty fillings, but an important aspect of the culinary experience of dumplings is the accompanying sauce. There are many ingredients that can be used in a dumpling sauce. A sauce can compliment the filling of a dumpling to add an even better experience. Let’s look at six sauces that you can try next time you have dumplings.
Ginger & Vinegar Sauce
This sauce is inspired by the traditional dipping sauce for the famous Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) This strand of ginger is infused in fragrant Chinese black rice vinegar. Adding a few drops of honey can help combat the sourness.
Here is how it is made:
- 3 tablespoons black rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon ginger, julienned
Garlic & Vinegar Sauce
This another featured sauce that is based on Chinese black rice vinegar. Minced garlic is half cooked in hot oil. This is a common method in Chinese cuisine. It reduces the spiciness of the garlic but increases its aroma. To make the sauce more flavorsome and appetizing add some fresh chili and coriander. If fresh chili does not work for you, try replacing it with homemade chili oil.
Here is how it is made:
- 1 tablespoon mince garlic
- 1 pinch ground Sichuan pepper
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon hot oil
- ½ teaspoon light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons black rice vinegar
- Fresh chili finely chopped
- Coriander, chopped
Spring Onion Oil Sauce
This sauce is more on the simpler side. It is inspired by Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodles. The hot oil works well at extracting the aroma from the spring onion. Fragrant savory with a hint of sweetness. It is a very tasty and easy sauce to make. Here is how to make it:
- 1 tablespoon spring onion, finely chopped
- 1 pinch of sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon hot oil
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon black rice vinegar
Spicy Tomato Dip
This sauce has a benefit that the others do not, you can adjust the ingredients based on your own taste. My suggestion is a mild version. If you are looking for a more tangy taste just increase the volume of the garlic / fresh chili.
- 250g / 9oz peeled and deseeded tomatoes
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 slices ginger
- 2-4 strands coriander
- salt , to taste
- 1 pinch sugar
- ½ teaspoon light soy sauce
Sichuan Dumpling Sauce
This sauce is for spicy food lovers. The idea comes from Zhong Shui Jiao, one of the signature dishes of Sichuan cuisine. It provides a mixed flavor of spiciness, sweetness and saltiness. Offerings a tangy yet refreshing flavor. Unlike the other dumpling sauces mentioned above, this acues is usually mixed with freshly boiled dumplings in individual serving bowls. This sauce takes a bit more of an effort to make.
You need to firstly make some spiced sweet soy sauce, I suggest you make a big batch at a time. You can use it to dress or season other dishes too.
Here is how it is made:
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan spiced sweet soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon homemade chili oil
- Spring onion, finely chopped
Hot & Sour Dumpling Soup
Dumplings do not have to be served dry or with sauce. Try this specialty from Xi’an. Boiled dumplings are served in a tasty and tangy soup. The classic version of this coup calls for homemade spiced vinegar.
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons black rice vinegar / homemade spiced vinegar
- 1 tablespoon spring onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon papery dried shrimp
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 pinch salt
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Coriander, chopped
- 1 tablespoon homemade chili oil
Contact The Dumpling School Today
If you are looking for an in person experience contact the Dumpling School today! We offer face to face fun and engaging dumpling content! You can reach us by checking out our calendar on our website or by giving us a call at 617-901-5159.