11 Best Sauces For Dumplings

Dumplings are a staple in many cuisines around the world, often served as an afternoon snack, everyday meal, or on-the-go food. These delicious treats typically consist of dough wrapping and a spoonful of fillings made from various ingredients such as pork, chicken, beef, fish, vegetables, tofu, and cheese.

While they are commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, where popular dishes like jiaozi, siu mai, and guōtiē are enjoyed, dumplings can also be found in the cuisines of Japan (gyoza), Korea (mandu), Nepal and Tibet (momos), Central America (tamales and pasteles), India (samosa), and Italy (ravioli). As a versatile food, dumplings can be prepared in various ways, including steaming, boiling, deep-frying, pan-frying, baking, or cooking before serving with a delicious broth.

However, they are often best enjoyed with a range of dipping sauces that add flavor to every bite. These sauces vary in appearance, ingredients, and flavors, offering options for those who prefer sweet, salty, spicy, or savory tastes. For instance, traditional and local ingredients can be used to create unique sauces like Chinese Chili Oil, Gochujang Dumpling Sauce, and Chinese Duck Sauce. Simple yet flavorful sauces like Sweet & Sour Sauce and Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce are also popular choices.

We’ve compiled a list of 11 of the best dumpling dipping sauces, ranging from simple to unique, using everyday ingredients as well as local spices and condiments.

Chili Garlic Sauce

Chili Garlic Sauce

To kick things off, we’re featuring a classic Chili Garlic dipping sauce that’s both effortless and widely loved. A staple among dumpling enthusiasts, this condiment is remarkably simple to prepare. Simply slice your desired quantity of chilies – the more, the merrier! Once you have your chilis ready, it’s time to bring out their bold flavors by sizzling them with garlic, ginger, and other spices in oil.

This harmonious blend of aromas and tastes will transport you to a world of culinary delight.

3-Ingredient Chinese Dipping Sauce

This three-ingredient dipping sauce recipe combines soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, and sesame oil. For those new to Chinese black vinegar, it’s worth noting that this type of vinegar is made from glutinous or black sticky rice and malt vinegar, setting it apart from regular black vinegar. The latter is often produced using a blend of grains and has a bold flavor profile. In contrast, Chinese black vinegar has a milder sweetness and savory taste.

As you dip your favorite foods into this classic Chinese dumpling dipping sauce, the unique flavors will start to unfold.

Chinese Duck Sauce (Plum Sauce)

Chinese Duck Sauce (Plum Sauce)

While Chinese Duck Sauce may seem similar to sweet and sour sauces at first glance, it’s actually a distinct condiment with its own rich history. In fact, the sauce has roots in Chinese-American cuisine, where cooks adapted the original Peking Duck sauce recipe by substituting apricots for soybeans. The result is a unique blend of flavors and colors, characterized by its vibrant orange hue and tangy taste, courtesy of plum and apricot ingredients.

When paired with homemade or store-bought dumplings, this traditional sauce brings a truly authentic culinary experience to the table.

Din Tai Fung Spicy Wonton Sauce

Din Tai Fung Spicy Wonton Sauce

Din Tai Fung’s reputation for serving a diverse range of Asian dim sum dishes is well-established. However, it’s their chili sauces that have garnered significant attention from food enthusiasts. The demand for these spicy condiments has led to the creation of copycat recipes that aim to replicate the original. This particular variation of Din Tai Fung Spicy Sauce stands out due to its unique incorporation of Chinese 5-spice powders.

This blend of aromatics, which typically includes star anise, fennel seeds, Szechuan peppercorns, garlic cloves, and Chinese cinnamon, adds a distinctive depth to the sauce. Whether you’re fortunate enough to have a Din Tai Fung nearby or live in an area without one, this recipe allows you to experience the authentic flavors of this classic condiment, making it perfect for pairing with dumplings.

Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce

Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce

This Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce recipe is a harmonious blend of two flavors – ginger and soy sauce. The resulting combination brings a perfect balance of brininess and spiciness to elevate your favorite dumplings. One of the best aspects of this recipe is its flexibility, allowing you to adjust the proportions of soy sauce and ginger to suit your taste preferences, creating a unique flavor profile that’s sure to please.

Gochujang Dumpling Sauce

Gochujang Dumpling Sauce

For a truly Korean flavor profile in your mandu dumplings, consider using a gochujang-based dumpling sauce. This iconic red chili paste forms the backbone of traditional Korean cuisine, boasting an impressive array of flavors – sweet, salty, savory, and spicy all harmoniously intertwined. With varying levels of spiciness available depending on the chosen product, you can tailor the heat level to your liking, ranging from mild to extremely fiery.

As a result, this sauce is ideal for those who crave a bolder, more piquant dim sum experience.

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dumpling Sauce

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dumpling Sauce

If you’re seeking a harmonious balance of sweetness and tanginess for your favorite dumplings, look no further. This soy sauce and rice vinegar combination is an excellent foundation upon which to build a unique flavor profile. To elevate the taste of this sauce, consider adding a medley of spices that cater to your desired level of heat. For a milder experience, you can simply add thinly sliced onions for a subtle sweetness and tanginess.

Alternatively, feel free to experiment with other condiments and spices, such as chili flakes, green onion slices, and chopped garlic, to create a bold and spicy dumpling dip that will tantalize your taste buds.

Shanghai Style Dumpling Peanut Sauce

Imagine a dumpling sauce that defies conventional wisdom by combining peanut butter and honey with more traditional ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and water. The result is a unique blend that may raise an eyebrow at first, but will surely delight your taste buds.

When paired with dumplings, the sweetness of the honey and nuttiness of the peanut butter complement the savory flavors of the dumpling filling, creating a harmonious balance that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

Soy & Vinegar Dumpling Sauce

Soy & Vinegar Dumpling Sauce

A duo of vinegar and soy sauce has long been a staple in many cuisines for enhancing the flavors of various meats, seafood, and vegetables. This versatility extends to dumplings, making this simple Soy & Vinegar Dipping Sauce recipe an ideal accompaniment for your chosen variety. Yet, its potential doesn’t stop there – feel free to add additional spices or condiments to further elevate the flavor profile as you savor each bite.

Sweet & Sour Sauce

Sweet & Sour Sauce

This sweet and sour sauce is a captivating condiment that has gained popularity for its harmonious balance of tangy and tart flavors. But what lies behind its unique taste profile? This iconic sauce has undergone various transformations throughout history, particularly in traditional Chinese cuisine. Historically speaking, the classic recipe relies on a combination of rice vinegar and sugar to create a well-rounded flavor.

It’s often paired with a variety of popular meat, fish, and vegetable dishes, showcasing its versatility. To give this dish a modern twist, you could substitute traditional ingredients with pineapple juice, soy sauce, and rice vinegar for added tanginess, brown sugar for sweetness, ketchup for an extra layer of sourness, and cornstarch to achieve the desired thick consistency.

The end result is a distinct flavor profile that will undoubtedly grab your attention as you savor each bite of dumplings.

Szechuan Garlic Chili Oil

Szechuan Garlic Chili Oil

The pièce de résistance is the Szechuan Garlic Chili Oil, which boasts an intoxicating aroma and flavour that’s sure to grab attention. The key players in this recipe are the Szechuan peppercorns, which may initially strike a bitter note but ultimately deliver a tangy, citrusy taste reminiscent of lemon zest.

But don’t stop there – feel free to add other herbs, spices, and condiments to elevate this chili oil sauce to new heights, crafting a richly nuanced flavour profile that will leave you wanting more.

The bottom line

Imagine a culinary journey where the window to our souls is filled with the savory aroma of dumplings. These delightful treats, comprised of tender meats wrapped in fluffy dough, are elevated by the perfect sauces. Whether you’re indulging in classic pork dumplings or exploring regional favorites like siu mai and gyoza, the right sauce can transport your taste buds to a world of flavors.

Not only do these condiments bring out the best in your meal, but they also have the power to entice you for more – perfect for potlucks, banquets, and special occasions. We’ve curated a list of 11 exceptional sauces, ranging from simple yet effective options using everyday ingredients to unique dips that will tantalize your taste buds.

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