We know there's 2 kind of dumpling. 1 is the bazhang, the rice one. and the other is the jiao zi. So why are they both known as dumpling?
2006-06-23 05:47:31 · 5 answers · asked by seasoned tea 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Ethnic Cuisine
There aren't enough food words in English to cover all the Chinese things that get badly translated as "dumpling".
When I have to explain jiao zi to someone, I use the word ravioli.
When I have to explain bazhang to someone, I use the word tamale.
One word descriptions can't cut it if we go out for dim sum. That's when you realize the word dumpling is being used to refer to 50+ different things.
The etymology of the English word 'dumpling' alludes to the damp steam rising off a soup or a stew. Blobs of plain dough would be dropped into the broth in the last stages of cooking to create a starchy addition to the soup. This kind of dumpling has no filling and is nothing like a tamale, a ravioli, a har gow, or whatever.
2006-06-23 07:04:40 · answer #1 · answered by Durian 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they're not!
One is known as 'bazhang' - the other is known as 'jiao zi'!!
They only use the term 'dumpling' because there's no more suitable English word to describe it...!
(Basically, I agree with Durian!!!!!)
2006-06-24 04:35:47 · answer #2 · answered by _ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are lots of different types of dumpings from all over the world, not only Chinese. There are:
empanadas
tamales
ravioli
blintzes
papas rellenas (stuffed potatoes)
Just about anything that's enveloped by a starch is a dumping.
2006-06-25 05:18:23 · answer #3 · answered by Dolores G. Llamas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because "little dragon bag" doesn't translate well into English, so the Xiao Long Bao is also called a dumpling...
2006-06-24 11:57:15 · answer #4 · answered by Canario92 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do a web search or check out Martha stewart site
2006-06-23 12:51:57 · answer #5 · answered by Linnie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋