I don’t think I have ever met someone who didn’t pop a smile on their face and say “Oooo” after reading that dumplings were on a menu at a restaurant or made an appearance at the table. From wonton, to gyoza, to shumai to pierogi and even ravioli, dumplings are an absolute favorite at any kitchen table. They are small enough to eat in a couple bites, but also can be large and filling enough to satisfy a small appetite. There are so many things to love about deliciousness wrapped up in a blanket of dough and then boiled, steamed, or fried, but some of the things I love the most about dumplings is their versatility/variety and their leeway into social interaction while eating and cooking. If you’ve ever had dumplings before either at a restaurant or in the home, you know how different they can all be. No 2 dumplings are the same and to see every chef’s and culture’s variation on them is truly something beautiful. The possibilities of shaping, filling, wrapping, and dipping sauces are infinite so the fun never seems to end. In social settings, dumplings act as the perfect binder between people. They are extremely shareable which really brings whoever is eating them together. Just people in sheer happiness eating away at little delicious dumplings. Even more fun and loving is cooking and preparing dumplings with friends and family. Everyone can come together over a table fitted for dumpling creation and simply fill and wrap away, teasing the ones near you who has the best wrapping or who can go the fastest. In the end, everyone’s work gets cooked and then enjoyed and we all become full of both food and love.

Happy national dumpling day <3

words & photo_dakota regan