Zhang Zhong Jing painting

The Origins

Dumplings are thought to have originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty of China over 1,800 years ago, when a man named Zhang Zhongjing realized that many people had frostbitten ears during the winter. He stuffed dough skins with mutton, chili and herbs, folded them over to look like ears and boiled them until they were cooked through. The warming herbs in the dumplings promoted blood circulation, helping people make it through the harsh winters without further frostbite.

The journey starts with the delicate, rice-skinned dumplings of southern China

01

Har Gow

Southern China
02

Siu Mai

Southern China
03

Shanghai Wonton

Southern China

In Northern China dumpling skins are made from wheat flour or millet

04

Jiao Zi/Guo Tie

Northen China
05

Nian Dou Bao

Northern China

Bounce over to other parts of Asia and you see dumplings similar to their Chinese cousins

06

Momo

Nepal / Tibet / Northern India
07

Gyoza

Japan

The dumpling does a spicy dance heading to India and South East Asia

08

Samosa

India/South East Asia

The dumping dances the polka, and the waltz as it heads through Eastern Europe, Europe and Great Britain

09

Pirozhki

Russia
10

Pierogi

Poland
11

Kreplach

Jewish
12

Savoury Dumplings

Great Britain
13

Stuffed Pasta

Italy

The dumpling dances the Flamenco, the Vira and eventually the Salsa as it dances through Spain, Portugal and South America

14

Empanada

Latin America, Spain and Portugal
dumpling icon
world map
Dancing Dumpling