Wontons

Wonton is a traditional Chinese noodle dish originating from northern China, also known as "yun tun," "chao shou," or "bian shi" in various regions, each with its own unique characteristics and names. It is widely popular in China. Today, I'll share with you the authentic recipe for wontons, which is simple and easy to learn!

The making of wontons involves wrapping finely chopped fillings in thin dough wrappers. They can be cooked in soup or prepared in various other cooking styles according to personal preference. Before we delve into the formal preparation of wontons, let's explore some background knowledge about wontons together!

1. What is Wonton?

Wonton (Chinese Pinyin: hún tun; Cantonese: wɐn tɐn, pronounced as "yun tun"; Shandong dialect: hún dùn) is a traditional Chinese folk noodle dish originating from China. Wonton evolved into dumplings during its development. When making wontons, finely chopped fillings are wrapped in thin dough wrappers, boiled until cooked, and typically served in soup.

Ancient Chinese people considered it a sealed bun without seven holes, so it was called "hun tun". Following the rules of Chinese character creation, it was later called "wonton". At this time, there was no distinction between wontons and dumplings. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that the names of wontons and dumplings were officially differentiated.

2. What are the differences between Wonton and Dumplings?

Many people believe that wontons and dumplings are the same, but they are actually different in several ways:

1. Different Shapes:

Wonton wrappers are square, with a side length of about 6 centimeters, or trapezoidal with a top side length of about 5 centimeters and a bottom side length of about 7 centimeters.

Dumpling wrappers are round with a diameter of about 7 centimeters.

2. Different Cooking Times:

Wonton wrappers are thinner and become translucent when cooked, so wontons cook relatively quickly.

Dumpling wrappers are thicker and take longer to cook. During the cooking process, dumplings need to be boiled three times with cold water added each time when the water boils, ensuring they are fully cooked.

3. Different Eating Methods:

Wontons are cooked with seasoning added during the cooking process, and sometimes vegetables are added to adjust the flavor. They are ready to eat once cooked.

Dumplings are boiled in plain water, so apart from the filling flavor, they are relatively plain and require dipping sauce for flavor.

3. What are the Fillings for Wontons?

In China, there are various types of fillings for wontons. Here are some common ones:

Fresh Meat Filling: Fresh meat filling is a common filling for wontons, mainly made with pork, which has a tender texture and rich aroma. When making fresh meat filling, ingredients like spring onions and ginger are often added to enhance the flavor. Additionally, pork filling is not only tender but also rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamin B1, iron, zinc, and potassium, which contribute to enhancing immunity and promoting health.

Shrimp Filling: Shrimp filling is a classic filling for wontons, loved for its fresh sweetness and unique texture. When making shrimp filling, shrimp are finely chopped and mixed with a small amount of minced meat, then seasoned with light soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, and starch. This filling has a tender and delicious taste, adding richness to wontons. Besides shrimp, ingredients like eggs can also be added to create more variety.

Vegetarian Trio Filling: Vegetarian trio filling is made with chives, eggs, dried shiitake mushrooms, and vermicelli as the main ingredients. This filling is known for its rich texture and delicious flavor. The unique aroma of chives combined with sesame oil enhances the filling's fragrance. The addition of dried shiitake mushrooms and vermicelli provides rich texture layers, while sesame oil adds elasticity and flavor to the filling. After being properly chopped and mixed, these ingredients create a delicious and rich filling for wontons.

Mushroom and Pork Filling: Mushroom and pork filling is a classic filling for wontons. This filling mainly consists of shiitake mushrooms, carrots, minced pork, and various seasonings such as seaweed, dried shrimp, chopped cilantro, minced ginger, five-spice powder, salt, fermented bean curd, fresh soy sauce, and oil. Shiitake mushrooms are known as "mountain treasures" for their delicious taste and rich nutrition. When paired with pork, they enhance the flavor and nutrition of the dumpling filling, making it an excellent choice to avoid a monotonous taste.

Shrimp and Pork Wontons: Shrimp and pork wontons are delicious and nutritious. The characteristic of this filling lies in the perfect combination of shrimp and pork, where the deliciousness of the shrimp complements the rich fragrance of the pork, ensuring each bite is full of flavor. Shrimp and pork wontons usually use a whole large shrimp wrapped inside the pork filling, not only adding texture layers but also showcasing the sincerity of the chef. When making this filling, shrimp and pork are usually processed and seasoned with ingredients like cooking wine, light soy sauce, and oyster sauce to ensure delicious taste and nutritional value. This wonton filling is not only delicious but also very healthy.

4. How to Freeze Excess Wontons?

Excess wontons can be frozen for later consumption. Here's how:

1. Remove the freezer drawer from the refrigerator and let it dry, then lay a layer of plastic wrap flat on it. Be careful not to tear the plastic wrap; keep the roll of plastic wrap nearby.

2. Place the wrapped wontons neatly on the plastic wrap. Once the first layer is full, lift the roll of plastic wrap from the side and cover the wontons with another layer of plastic wrap, continuing to arrange them in this manner. This creates an S-shaped barrier between each layer of wontons.

3. Once the top layer is full, cover it with another layer of plastic wrap, tear it off, and seal it. When you want to eat them later, you can simply take out as many wontons as you need from the freezer and cook them.

5. Where Can You Buy Wonton Wrappers?

Wonton wrappers can typically be found in the frozen or refrigerated section of grocery stores. If regular stores don't carry them, you can try looking in nearby Chinese supermarkets, where they may have their own dedicated section. Alternatively, you might find them near tofu in the store. They're quite common these days. Of course, you can also make wonton wrappers yourself; you can check out my previous content for that!

I'm glad to have had the opportunity to explore the knowledge about wontons with you. Now, let's roll up our sleeves and put our newly acquired knowledge to use by making delicious wontons together! If you need any assistance or have any other questions, feel free to let me know. Wishing you a pleasant time making wontons and enjoying the joy of food!