Staff Pick
Mmmm. Shumai, xiaolongbau, mandu, and all those other dumplings whose names I don’t know that I usually just point to on a dim sum cart at my favorite Asian restaurant. This handy comic book cookbook introduces all you need to turn your kitchen into a dumpling cart. Includes pantry and equipment suggestions and best of all, simple drawings of how to fold your own dumplings. Dumplings from many Asian cultures are included so your favorite is likely to be represented and you can find new taste treats as well. Recommended By Tracey T., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
An accessible and easy-to-follow comic book cookbook for bringing Asian dumplings into the home kitchen, with recipes for savory and sweet dumplings, dipping sauces, riffs, and more — from the authors of Let's Make Ramen!
Chef Hugh Amano and comics artist Sarah Becan invite you to explore the big little world of Asian dumplings! Ideal for both newbies and seasoned cooks, this comic book cookbook takes a fun approach to a classic treat that is imbued with beloved history across countless regions. From wontons to potstickers, buuz to momos, Amano's expert guidance paired with Becan's colorful and detailed artwork prove that intricate folding styles and flavorful fillings are achievable in the home kitchen.
Let's Make Dumplings! includes dumpling history and lore; a master folding guide that familiarizes readers with popular styles like the pleated crescent of a potsticker or the four-pointed star of a crab rangoon; and a series of cooking directions to choose from, such as steaming or pan-frying. The recipes range from savory (Beef and Kimchi Mandu) to sweet (Custard-filled Baozi), classics (Pork and Cabbage Potstickers) to riffs (Maple, Bacon, and Egg Dumplings).
Whether it is the family-style eating experience — stacked plates and steamer baskets filled with succulent shumai and plump xiaolongbao — or the interactive process of working together to fold hundreds of gyoza for a celebration, Let's Make Dumplings! captures the deep level of connection that dumplings bring to any gathering and shows you how to recreate it in your own home.
About the Author
Hugh Amano's devotion to exploring food and culture has taken him around the world,
enriching his experience as a chef and writer. A graduate of The University of Colorado and New England Culinary Institute, he lives in Chicago, where the roster of dough-encased foods runs deep. He co-authored Let's Make Ramen! (Ten Speed Press 2019) and The Adventures of Fat Rice (Ten Speed Press 2016), and he always puts out a big batch of gyoza for his annual New Year's Eve dinner party.
Sarah Becan is a comics artist, author, illustrator, and designer based in Chicago, and the creator of I Think You're Sauceome, a food-centric autobiographical webcomic. Her work has appeared in various publications, including Saveur, Eater, Organic Life, StarChefs, and Tasting Table.