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Diary 005: How to Eat Soup Dumplings

  • Writer: Zoë Holloway
    Zoë Holloway
  • Apr 25
  • 1 min read

Dumplings, a beloved Chinese dish, come in various forms — fried, baked, or steamed.


Person in striped shirt using chopsticks at a table with a bamboo steamer of dumplings, saucy plates, and paper napkins. Warm, cozy setting.
We were ready to dig in!


My first encounter with these delightful treats was in Korea, thanks to my Taiwanese-American friend, Megan. You may or may not know that Taiwan is a country in East Asia that China has claimed as its own. Thus, they have a close and complex relationship.


Megan was excited to take me and two other friends to a famous chain in Seoul known for their excellence in the craft of dumplings, Din Tai Fung.


Chefs in white uniforms stack bamboo steamers in a bright kitchen. Korean signs are visible outside the window, creating a bustling city vibe. Preparing dumplings.
Prep for the World-Famous Xiao Long Bao

From steamed to sweet dumplings, I was stuffed yet still craving more. Here's how you can enjoy them to the fullest:


  1. Carefully pick up the hot dumpling with your chopsticks (or scoop with a spoon) and place it on your spoon.

  2. Using one of the chopsticks, pierce a hole at the bottom of the dumpling to let the soup out. Blow a little before sipping the soup from the spoon.

  3. Use the chopsticks to keep the dumpling steady.

  4. After sipping most of the soup out, add condiments like ginger on top of the dumpling.

  5. Now, eat and enjoy!


Empty dishes and bowls with leftover sauce on a wooden table, indicating a finished meal.
Happy and full tummies.


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