Dumplings: A Brief History Ahead of CNY
It's no secret that Chinese food is fantastically diverse and complex. Each region has its own unique blend of spices, flavors and traditions, but if I were going to pick one item that best represents the tapestry of the Chinese culinary scene I would pass right over noodles, hot pot, Peking duck and tanghulu and head straight for dumplings. They are the common denominator and the ultimate in Chinese comfort food, with every region having its own unique take, from the humble boiled jiaozi to the now world-famous (and Michelin star-winning) xiaolongbao. It's not surprising because dumplings have been part of China's history for over 1,800 years. They are believed to have originated during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a renowned physician, to cure frostbite. The story goes that Zhang saw an unusual number of frostbitten ears one winter, and to remedy this he filled thin sheets of dough with mutton, onions, and chili, pinching the edges closed to look like … an ear. The delicious boiled meal came to symbolize warmth and care during the harsh winter, so it's no wonder that dumplings are now a part of family celebrations, particularly those of the Lunar New Year. Over time, both the symbolism and the fillings have evolved. The crescent-moon shape of dumplings is also said to resemble ancient Chinese coins called ingots, making them a symbol of wealth and prosperity. One of my students reminded me not to skimp on the dumpling filling for Chinese New Year because if I eat an empty dumpling I will have "an empty purse" in the new year. Making dumplings is an important part of many families' Chinese New Year festivities. The act of wrapping dumplings involves everyone in the family coming together for a common purpose, and similar to the king cake or charm traditions in the West, some families hide a coin inside one dumpling, with the lucky person who finds it destined for a year of good fortune. Even the fillings have taken on special symbolism. The pronunciation of the word pork in Chinese sounds similar to that of the character 诸 (zhū), which means “all” and is a component in the phrase 诸事大吉 (zhūshì dàjí) meaning “May everything be a success.” Additionally, the pronunciation of the word leek in Chinese 韭菜 (jiǔcài) is a homonym for the word 久(jiǔ) "long" and 财 (cái) "wealth," while the word for cabbage 白菜 (báicài) sounds like 白 (bǎi) "100" 财 (cái) "wealth". Dumplings transcend nourishment; like all good soul food, they remind us of our heritage, help fortify family bonds and fill us with love and hope. Whether steamed, boiled, or pan-fried, I wish for you a plate piled high with properly filled dumplings this Chinese New Year. READ: Three Things for the Week Ahead in Beijing (Jan 20-26) Images: Canva Provided:Paid:
It's no secret that Chinese food is fantastically diverse and complex. Each region has its own unique blend of spices, flavors and traditions, but if I were going to pick one item that best represents the tapestry of the Chinese culinary scene I would pass right over noodles, hot pot, Peking duck and tanghulu and head straight for dumplings. They are the common denominator and the ultimate in Chinese comfort food, with every region having its own unique take, from the humble boiled jiaozi to the now world-famous (and Michelin star-winning) xiaolongbao.
It's not surprising because dumplings have been part of China's history for over 1,800 years. They are believed to have originated during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a renowned physician, to cure frostbite. The story goes that Zhang saw an unusual number of frostbitten ears one winter, and to remedy this he filled thin sheets of dough with mutton, onions, and chili, pinching the edges closed to look like … an ear. The delicious boiled meal came to symbolize warmth and care during the harsh winter, so it's no wonder that dumplings are now a part of family celebrations, particularly those of the Lunar New Year.
Over time, both the symbolism and the fillings have evolved. The crescent-moon shape of dumplings is also said to resemble ancient Chinese coins called ingots, making them a symbol of wealth and prosperity. One of my students reminded me not to skimp on the dumpling filling for Chinese New Year because if I eat an empty dumpling I will have "an empty purse" in the new year.
Making dumplings is an important part of many families' Chinese New Year festivities. The act of wrapping dumplings involves everyone in the family coming together for a common purpose, and similar to the king cake or charm traditions in the West, some families hide a coin inside one dumpling, with the lucky person who finds it destined for a year of good fortune. Even the fillings have taken on special symbolism. The pronunciation of the word pork in Chinese sounds similar to that of the character 诸 (zhū), which means “all” and is a component in the phrase 诸事大吉 (zhūshì dàjí) meaning “May everything be a success.” Additionally, the pronunciation of the word leek in Chinese 韭菜 (jiǔcài) is a homonym for the word 久(jiǔ) "long" and 财 (cái) "wealth," while the word for cabbage 白菜 (báicài) sounds like 白 (bǎi) "100" 财 (cái) "wealth".
Dumplings transcend nourishment; like all good soul food, they remind us of our heritage, help fortify family bonds and fill us with love and hope. Whether steamed, boiled, or pan-fried, I wish for you a plate piled high with properly filled dumplings this Chinese New Year.
READ: Three Things for the Week Ahead in Beijing (Jan 20-26)
Images: Canva
