Mandu (dumplings)
만두 Mandu
Dumplings in thin wheat wrappers, filled with minced pork, tofu and vegetables, eaten steamed, pan-fried or in soup.
- Dumplings
- Spice: Not spicy
- Contains pork
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Wheat-flour wrappers, minced pork, tofu, chopped vegetables |
| How it's served | Steamed or pan-fried dumplings on a plate or in a steamer basket, with soy dipping sauce |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Contains pork — Pork is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Wheat · Soy · Sesame |
| Ask about | Fillings vary: kimchi (fish), shrimp and glass noodles are common; the dipping sauce is soy-based. |
| On the menu | 만두 (Mandu) |
| Also called | mandoo · Korean dumplings |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Dumplings
Dip it in the sauce
Dip each dumpling lightly in the soy dipping sauce. Some sauces also have vinegar or chili flakes.
Bite carefully
The filling stays very hot. Take a small first bite to let the steam out.
Try it with other snacks
At snack shops, many people dip pan-fried mandu into tteokbokki sauce or eat it alongside ramyeon.
How to order it
Order it as 만두. Menus often list 고기만두 (meat), 김치만두 (kimchi) and 군만두 (pan-fried), each a plate one person can order alone.
- On the menu: 만두
- Usually sold: 1 plate
Where it comes from
It came from China, but exactly when is not known. The official history of the Goryeo Dynasty records a punishment for stealing mandu from the royal kitchen. So it had arrived by then. It developed in the north, where wheat and buckwheat were widely grown. There, around Pyeongan Province, dumpling soup is made every Lunar New Year.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Questions about Dumplings
Is mandu vegetarian?
Usually not. Most mandu is filled with pork, and kimchi-filled mandu usually also has seafood from the kimchi. Vegetable mandu is sometimes sold but may still contain meat, so ask the restaurant.
How spicy is mandu?
Not spicy. Meat-filled mandu has no chili heat, but kimchi-filled mandu can have a little warmth.
Can you eat mandu alone?
Yes. One plate is a single order, and many people eat mandu alone as a quick meal or snack.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026