Maangchi's Mandu (Korean Dumplings)

Mandu Soup

I have yet to meet a foodie - that would say no to a dumpling. 

I’m a big fan of dumplings and have been making won tons for most of my life.  Truth be told, I think I learned how to fold wontons before I could read or write.  However, I find myself at a turning point in my life and am in search of my inner Korean. I know my ancestors are shaking their heads at me.

My love for Korean food has grown tremendously and as I learn more and more.  I have a greater appreciation for what it takes to make a Korean meal come together.

Don’t get scared off by the length of this post.  Mandu like all Asian dumplings takes more time than expertise and the up side is once you make a batch – you will have delicious mandu tucked away in your freezer waiting to become a quick 5 minute snack or meal for a later date.

This is my version of Maangchi’s mandu recipe.  It was fantastic and to my surprise it didn’t need the egg to bind the ingredients together.  This recipe has instantly become a new family favorite.

Here is a list of the things to consider when making mandu;

THE FILLING… Mixing the meat and vegetable in separate bowls before putting them together is the key to making the filling.  It allows each individual ingredient to be seasoned.

THE WRAPPERS… Not all wrappers are created equal.  Square won ton wrappers will not be a good choice when making mandu, they will be too thin and not hold up well.  Look for the round Gyoza or Mandu wrappers that are Thick.  This filling truly needs a thick wrapper. The wrappers get deliciously chewy and will hold up well when cooked.  I always buy 2 – 1 pound packs of wrappers when I make won tons and always end up with extras.  I do this purposely, because I always seem to be short a few wrappers.  And when I get the rhythm going and start wrapping I don’t want any extra filling just lying around screaming to be wrapped.  Just get creative with the extra wrappers or stick them in the freezer.

 WRAPPING… I have always eaten mandu made in the half moon shape when eating these in restaurants.  However, when doing the research for this post I learned that soup mandu are shaped more like won tons.  I tried both and in the end preferred the half-moon shape.  If you want to see how to fold the mandu like won tons look at my won ton post.

BOILED… My personal preference is the boiled mandu, served with dipping sauce – easy and satisfying.  I could eat these all day long.
Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Place mandu in the boiling water and stir so they won't stick to the bottom.  When they float they are done.  It's the same for frozen mandu.  Never defrost the mandu - they will get gooey.  Just cook frozen and when they float... give them just a touch more time and they will taste exactly like the fresh unfrozen ones you ate on the day you made them.

THE SOUP… I am a lover of soups and simple clear broth soups are my favorite.  Maangchi makes a simple anchovie broth to cook and serve the mandu in.  Delish.  The recipe is below.

FRIED… If your preference is fried;

Put a non stick pan over med-low heat with about 2 Tbsp. oil.  Add mandu and cook covered to brown on one side (about 2 min.)  Then turn and brown on the other side (about 2 min.)  Add 2 – 3 Tbsp. water; lower heat and cover.  Cook until they are golden brown or deep fry.  Serve with dipping sauce.

TO STORE… Place the folded mandu on a cookie sheet or tray without them touching, use plastic wrap between layers to keep them from sticking together. Then place them in the freezer for at least an hour. Once they are frozen, put them in a zip lock bag and they won’t stick together.

DIPPING SAUCE…

This is my favorite “go to” Korean dipping sauce.  I serve it alongside mandu soup, as well as, fried.  It really brings out the flavor of the mandu.

1              Tbsp.                     sugar

1              Tbsp.                     white vinegar

2              Tbsp.                     soy sauce

1              tsp.                        hot pepper paste (Gochujang) more if you like spicy

Pinch                                     black pepper

Korean Dumplings (Mandu)

I made 50 pretty fat mandu with this recipe

2              1#packs                thick mandu/gyoza wrappers

*MEAT (Bowl #1)

1              pound                   ground beef

½             pound                   ground pork

1              tsp.                        kosher salt

¼             tsp.                        black pepper

1              Tbsp.                     sesame oil

**VEGETABLES (Bowl #2)

Place ingredients in bowl in this order so that each of the individual ingredients will be properly seasoned.

First;

4              whole                   dried shitake mushrooms, soaked and minced

2              Tbsp.                     onion, minced

3              cloves                   garlic, minced

1              tsp.                        soy sauce

1              tsp.                        sugar

¼             tsp.                        kosher salt

2              tsp.                        sesame oil

Place shitake, onion and garlic in to the bowl and season with soy sauce, sugar, salt and sesame oil; mix together;

Then add to the same bowl;

½             block                     regular/firm tofu, squeeze out moisture
½             head                      small cabbage, shredded fine (see below)

2              cups                       green onions, minced

2              Tbsp.                     sesame oil

9/25/2019 - new addition that is a keeper. 

Prep cabbage - chop 1/2 a small cabbage fine - place it in a bowl with 1Tbsp. kosher salt;mix; set aside for 30 min. or up to overnight. This will flavor and soften the cabbage.  When you are ready to use; place the cabbage in a kitchen towel and squeeze out as much of the moisture as possible;add this to the veggie bowl when you add the tofu. Don't rinse the cabbage - it will not be too salty.

Place the tofu in a paper towel and gently squeeze out as much of the moisture as you can.

Put the tofu and green onions in the bowl with the sesame oil and toss everything together.

Add Veggies to the meat mixture and mix till blended.

Folding the Mandu;

Place the wrapper in your hand and lightly moisten the edge with water.

Place about 1 Tablespoon of filling in the center.

Fold the wrapper in half and seal the edges by pinching.

Bend and fold little pleats around the edge and squeeze it to hold its shape.
Do this about 5-6 times.

Place the mandu on a sheet pan or tray to freeze for later. See To Store above.

MANDU SOUP 

TO MAKE MANDU SOUP

6              cups                       water

I used the water I soaked the shitake mushrooms in as part of my 6 cups of water.

8              large                      dried anchovies, intestines removed

¼             med                       onion

1              tsp.                        fish sauce (optional)

2              cloves                   garlic, minced

Pinch                                     kosher salt

6-8                                          mandu

1              beaten                 egg

2              stalks                     green onion, cut small

Place water in a pot along with dried anchovies, shitake stems and onion.  Bring to a boil and cook for 20 – 30 minutes over med heat.

When the soup is done; strain broth and discard the ingredients.  Now you have a clear broth.

Bring soup back to a boil over med heat and add fish sauce (optional), garlic and a pinch of salt and 6-8 mandu.  Stir so the mandu won’t stick to the bottom of the pan.  When the mandu floats they are cooked.

Stir in one beaten egg and green onions.

Enjoy!!!

I use this blog as my personal traveling cook book,

so I decided to add a small box to put notes to myself after I cook it for the post, as well as,

 for later when I remake it.

I do this with my hard back cookbooks(scribble, scribble)… why not my blog???

NOTE TO SELF;

8/2/2014 - add cabbage and they are perfect!
1st - chop 1/2 a small cabbage fine - place it in a bowl with 1Tbsp. kosher salt;mix; set aside for 30 min. or up to overnight. This will flavor and soften the cabbage.  When you are ready to use; place the cabbage in a kitchen towel and squeeze out as much of the moisture as possible;add this to the veggie bowl when you add the tofu. Don't rinse the cabbage - it will not be too salty.
2nd - I also tested out the thin wrappers, because that's what I had available and I think they are perfect for frying - the thick wrapper are better for soup.  The thin wrappers also work well for soup - however, the skins were not as chewy as with the thick wrappers.
Final Note - The only new addition was the cabbage and think it added a lot to the mandu.

5/18/2014

The filling has a very meaty texture that is seasoned perfectly, no change there.  However, I would consider adding about a cup or two of shredded cabbage and do what Hyosun from Korean Bapsang recommends and salt the cabbage first and let it sit for at least 15 min.  Then squeeze out the excess moisture.  I’m also considering adding an egg – this will make the filling less firm.  Still debating this.  My daughter Linsdey suggested adding water chestnuts – but that sounded too much like a won ton.