Pork and Chive Dumplings

Once you are on a national TV show called Throwdown with Bobby Flay, and you best him with these dumplings, whatever culinary fame you aspired to is gone, and you are forever known as the Dumpling Lady. It’s an honor I will cherish forever—especially if it helps to get picky eaters like my kids to eat their dinner. I put these dumplings on my opening menu, but never did I intend to keep them on for a decade. There’s no getting rid of them now: These dumplings are the most popular item with some of our customers, including kids of all ages.

In my opinion, dumplings are one of those perfect foods that are soulful, flavorful, and comforting. Another great thing about dumplings is that you can use practically anything in the filling—and you can pan-fry them, which is what we do, or boil or deep-fry them. These particular dumplings are a hybrid of Japanese gyoza (with the thin wrapper), Korean mandoo (the use of pork, chives, and tofu, which makes them silky and less like meatballs), and Chinese dumplings (with hoisin and dark soy sauce). I add the hoisin, which I like to joke is Chinese ketchup, because it makes these dumplings a touch sweeter. I think it is actually why people go crazy for them, because the American palate craves sweet and salty. This filling also makes an awesome breakfast patty, or put it on a bun with kimchee slaw for a great pork burger slider!