Yaki Mandu (Korean Dumplings)

Mandu are Korean dumplings that can be steamed or fried. Yaki means fried. These dumplings have a beef, cabbage, and garlic filling and are served with a dipping sauce. They’re great for parties. There’s a lot of prep in making these, but as quick as you can fry them they’ll be gone!

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 25

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ cup finely chopped green onions
• ½ cup finely chopped cabbage
• ½ cup finely chopped carrot
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• ½ teaspoon monosodium glutamate
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1 (16 ounce) package wonton wrappers
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, or more to taste

Steps

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease.
3. Mix green onions, cabbage, carrot, garlic, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, monosodium glutamate, salt, and pepper into ground beef mixture; cook and stir until liquid is evaporated and vegetables are tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Transfer beef mixture to a bowl and mix in 1 egg. Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a separate skillet over medium heat.
5. Crack the second egg into a bowl and beat well.
6. Hold 1 wonton wrapper in the palm of your hand and brush a thin layer of beaten egg on 1 edge. Scoop about 1 teaspoon beef mixture into the center of the wrapper.
7. Fold wrapper in half, corner to corner, to make a triangle and pinch the edges shut, crimping with your fingers to make a seal.
8. Press the air out by cupping your fingers over the dumpling in your palm and pressing lightly.
9. Fry wontons in the hot oil until 1 side is browned, about 1 or 2 minutes. Flip and cook until other side is browned, 1 or 2 minutes. Transfer wontons to a paper towel-lined plate to drain using a slotted spoon.
10. To make the dipping sauce: Whisk soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds together in a bowl until smooth.
11. Serve alongside wontons.