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The Difference Between “Wonton” and “Dumplings” (Need To Know)

The Difference Between “Wonton” and “Dumplings” (Need To Know)

'Dumpling' is an English word
‘Dumpling’ is an English word

When you think of dumplings, what comes to mind? Probably images of Chinese takeout or a bowl of steaming soup. But these gummy balls of goodness can do so much more.

You see, the English word “dumpling” was first used in English as early as the 14th century. And while it originally referred to a type of meatball, over time it came to refer specifically to the Asian method of wrapping steamed fillings in skins made from dough or other foods.

Even though there are many types of dumplings in China and other East Asian cuisines, they all have one thing in common: They’re all steamed balls made with fillings and wrappers.

However, people often question the difference between wontons and dumplings because they almost look the same.

This article details the differences between wonton wrappers, dumpling wrappers, and even the lacy wrappers that we call spring rolls.

Wonton Wrappers

Wonton wrappers are made from wheat starch, water, and salt. They can be made from different grades of wheat, and some brands include preservatives that extend their shelf life.

You’ll find wonton wrappers in the Asian grocery aisle, next to the rice. They come in two varieties: fat, which is round and lacy, and thin, which is square.

Fat wonton wrappers are used for wonton soup, while thin wonton wrappers are ideal for making dumplings, wonton noodles, and wonton cups.

Wonton wrappers
How do wonton wrappers look like

Dumpling Wrappers

Dumpling wrappers are made from wheat starch and water, but they’re often dusted with a little bit of flour to help the wrapper stick together. They’re used for both steamed and fried dumplings.

Some brands are even made with high-quality vegetable oil, so they don’t easily break apart when you’re forming the dumplings. You’ll find dumpling wrappers in the Chinese aisle, next to the rice.

Spring Roll Wrappers

These thin, skin-like wrappers are usually made from wheat starch and wheat gluten. They’re often sold in packs of around 20, although some stores may sell them by the box.

You’ll find spring roll wrappers next to the chow fun noodles or the wonton wrappers. You can also use them to make lacy spring rolls.

Lacy Wrapper

A lacy wrapper is a square one that typically comes in a pack of 10. It’s used for both wontons and dumplings.

You can find lacy wrappers next to the wonton wrappers in the Chinese aisle.

Differences Between Wonton and Dumpling Wrappers

In addition to being the two main types of wrappers, they’re also made from two different ingredients. Wonton wrappers are made from dough, while dumpling wrappers are made from batter.

Difference between Wonton and Dumplings.
Difference between Wonton and Dumplings.

When you open up a package of wonton wrappers, you’ll see there are two types: fat and thin. The fat ones are used for wonton soup or other dishes with a thicker broth, while the thin ones are used for wonton noodles and dumplings.

The main difference between these two types is that wonton wrappers are round, while dumpling wrappers are square.

Similarly, Spring roll wrappers are square, while lacy wrappers are a lacy shape, usually square.

A spring roll is made with a wrapper that’s filled with rice noodles, while a dumpling is filled with a savory mixture. –

There are many types of Asian dumplings, and they’re often all made differently. For example, some are steamed, while others are fried or pan-fried.

You can easily tell the difference between each by looking at the wrapper. The following table shall help you in demonstrating the differences:

Parameter of ComparisonDumplingsWontons
WrapperThe wrapper of dumplings is thickerThe wrapper of wontons is thinner than dumplings
TypesThere are many different types of dumplings in Chinese cuisine.Wonton is one type of dumpling in Chinese cuisine.
fillingMost dumplings across the world can be eaten with or without a filling.Wontons are always filled with meats, pork, or vegetables
Dipping sauceDumplings go with a dipping sauce as their filling are generally lightly seasonedWontons usually don’t go with a dipping sauce as their filling is usually completely seasoned.
ShapeThe dumpling mostly comes in a round shapeWonton will take on a triangular shape, rectangle, and even square
Difference table.

How To Use Wonton And Dumpling Wrappers

You can use wonton and dumpling wrappers to create a wide variety of Asian dishes.

One of the most common applications is making wonton soup, which is a hearty Chinese stew. Wonton wrappers are often used for making wonton soup, wonton noodles, and dumplings.

You can also make wonton and dumpling casseroles, such as wonton egg drop soup or wonton soup with mixed vegetables.

Another popular application is to make appetizers and snacks, such as wonton and dumpling skins, wonton and dumpling wonton cups, rice balls, wonton, and dumpling sandwiches.

Tips For Using Wonton And Dumpling Wrappers

Make sure your wrappers are fresh. You can tell if your wrappers are fresh or stale by feeling/taste-testing them.

If you can’t feel any give in the wrapper, then it’s probably stale. You can try storing them in an airtight container with a damp paper towel in between each wrapper to extend their life.

Don’t use too much water. It’s important to use enough water while making your wonton or dumpling recipe so the wrappers don’t break apart.

You can try using a measuring cup to make sure you don’t accidentally add too much water. Another important tip is to use oil when frying your dumplings or wontons.

You can use a spray bottle to lightly mist each wrapper before you start frying them so they don’t stick together or crack.

You can add your ingredients one by one so you don’t make a mess, but you can also add them in small batches so they don’t break apart when you mix them together.

You can also thicken your wonton soup by adding cornstarch while it’s boiling. You can stir the starch in while the soup is boiling to help thicken it.

You can use non-stick pans when making your dumplings or wontons, so the wrappers don’t stick together or crack. You don’t want the wrappers to stick together since they’ll break apart when you mix them with your favorite filling.

All about wontons and dumplings

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How wontons are different from Dumplings?

Dough balls are used to make wontons and dumplings. As dumplings can either have a filled or empty inside, wontons are regarded as a specific sort of dumpling.

Wontons are sometimes used to refer to dumplings that have a distinct filling within them.

Is Wonton the same as Momo?

These are a particular type of dumplings that are typically seen in China’s northern areas. In contrast to their siblings, the dim sum and momo-wontons are more square-like in shape, a little bit more delicate in texture, and are also perfectly deep-fried to a golden-brown color.

Are wontons Chinese or Korean?

Wontons are one of the most diverse and mouthwatering comfort food dishes in Chinese cuisine.

Why is it called a dumpling?

According to one source, the term “dumpling” was first used in the United Kingdom in the Norfolk region around 1600. c.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many types of Asian dumplings, and they come in many different wrappers as well. You can also mix and match different wrappers to create your own unique dish.

Though Asian dumplings can be enjoyed for both savory and sweet flavors, they’re most commonly savory, which are served best when made with wonton wrappers.

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