A Year to Learn Korean Cooking: Kimchi Mandu

Join us as we delve into the irresistible allure of Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두. These kimchi dumplings are the much loved Korean delicacy. Combining the sourness of the fermented kimchi with the hug of either steamed or fried dough, it is perfection. Let’s dig into this delicious dish!

About the South of Seoul ‘A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series

If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두. 

Many of us only live in South Korea for a year. Time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere.

This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020, they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow KimchiRednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea.

About Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두

Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두 is a Korean dish that tantalizes the taste buds. These dumplings are the essence of tradition and innovation in Korean cuisine. In addition, kimchi mandu has become a highly respected gem of street food tradition in Korea. The blend of hot fermented kimchi and tender frying/steaming dough has transcended cultural boundaries. Kimchi mandu charms food enthusiasts and culinary aficionados worldwide.

Steeped in a history that dates back centuries, this humble yet extraordinary creation has weathered the test of time. Although it has origins as a simple street snack, it has become a globally celebrated culinary treasure. Therefore, kimchi mandu has secured a special place in the hearts of Koreans and worldwide.

Ingredients and Preparation

Kimchi Mandu boasts a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures that reflect the essence of Korean culinary artistry. Typically, the filling consists of a harmonious marriage of finely chopped kimchi, coupled with minced pork, tofu, or a combination of both, enhancing the dumpling’s depth of flavor. Additionally, there may be dangmyeon (당면), sweet potato starch noodles, bean sprouts, onions or scallions.

The filling is encased in a delicate yet resilient wrapper (mandu pi 만두피). Typically, the wrappers consist of a mixture of wheat flour, water, and salt. Folded into various shapes ranging from crescents to pleated pouches, the wrappers ensure that the filling is securely enveloped. Next, prepare the kimchi mandu by steaming, boiling, pan-frying, or deep-frying for the perfect bite.

Tradition

Kimchi mandu has a rich cultural heritage that emerged from Korean culinary history. This savory delicacy has long been cherished as a comforting and portable snack. Therefore, it reflects the ingenuity of Korean cooks in utilizing simple ingredients to create flavorful and satisfying dishes. Over time, kimchi mandu has evolved to symbolize the fusion of tradition and innovation, embodying the spirit of Korean resilience and adaptability.

Beyond its culinary significance, kimchi mandu also holds a cultural resonance, often served during festive occasions and family gatherings, cementing its position as a beloved part of Korean dining experiences. However, kimchi mandu continues to stamp an impression of Korean cuisine in the international sphere of cooking.

Our First Experience with Kimchi Mandu

Although neither of us can recall the first time that we ate kimchi mandu, we both agree that this is a dish that we have enjoyed for many years. When we decided to make our first mandu dish, we decided that kimchi mandu was the best option. However, making mandu pi 만두피 from scratch was not on our radar. If you are looking for a fabulous recipe and information on making your own wrappers, check out Korean Bapsang for a blog and video.

Hurdles in Cooking Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두

Cooking kimchi mandu can present several challenges that require careful attention to ensure a delicious and satisfying end result. Therefore, we share some of the common hurdles, so you can be successful. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Flavorful Filling: One primary hurdle involves achieving the perfect balance of flavors in the filling, as the tangy and spicy nature of kimchi must complement the other ingredients without overpowering them. Therefore, we recommend reviewing recipes to see how chefs balance those flavors to make the perfect bite.
• Sealing Mandu Wrappers: Additionally, properly sealing the filling within the wrapper demands precision and skill to prevent leakage during the cooking process. Folding the mandu can be quite challenging, so go slowly. Therefore, we believe that the mandu doesn’t have to be beautiful as long as it tastes fabulous!
• Cooking Times: Maintaining the ideal texture of the wrapper, whether steamed or fried, also poses a challenge. It is important to mind cooking times and temperatures to achieve the desired softness or crispiness without compromising the integrity of the dumplings. When reviewing recipes, keep an eye on the timing to make sure you get the perfect mandu.
• Filling the Mandu: Moreover, ensuring that the filling is adequately cooked while simultaneously preserving the tenderness of the wrapper calls for extra attention to the recipe.

By navigating these hurdles, you can master the art of creating the perfect kimchi mandu that tantalizes the taste buds with every bite.

Three Kimchi Mandu Videos to Watch

Are you ready to tackle the challenge of making kimchi mandu at home? Here are three videos to inspire you to make your own! We like to include three perspectives on any dish that we present 1) a Korean chef making it in Korea, 2) a Korean chef making it in a foreign country (provides options for substitutions), and 3) foreign residents making it while living in South Korea. These three perspectives provide a broader look at cooking the dish so that you can understand how to adopt it into your lifestyle.

Korean Making Kimchi Mandu

Korean American Making Kimchi Mandu

Americans in Korea Making Kimchi Mandu

Tips for Making Kimchi Mandu Vegan

Making delicious vegan kimchi mandu is entirely possible. To make vegan Kimchi Mandu, start by sourcing or making vegan kimchi. Vegan kimchi omits the shrimp and fish sauce often found in standard preparations. When living in Korea, you can order vegan kimchi on Coupang or on Gmarket. Use the search term: 비건 김치.

For the vegan kimchi mandu filling, mix together finely chopped vegan kimchi, sautéed mushrooms (like shiitake) for a meaty texture, crumbled firm tofu as a protein replacement, finely chopped green onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Ensure all ingredients are mixed thoroughly. You can get creative here and use fun local mushrooms.

To assemble, spoon a small portion of the filling onto a dumpling wrapper (check the ingredients to ensure it’s vegan), wet the edges, and fold, pinching to seal the edges. You can either steam, boil, or pan-fry your mandu, depending on your preference.

Once you finish, you can enjoy your vegan Kimchi Mandu with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds!

Let Us Know How It Turned Out

When you make kimchi mandu at home, be sure to leave a comment on this blog or our video. We would love to hear how your soup turned out. We love to hear about your adventures and experiences cooking at home!

Follow KimchiRednecks

If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of local restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel. We also share a little behind the scenes in or our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram.

Join Pyeongtaek Food & Fun

If you live in the Pyeongtaek area, share your Korean cooking experiences with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group. 

Try More Recipies In Our Year To Learn Korean Cooking Series

We have many more Korean recipes that will make your life in Korea more delicious.