Beijing & the north
Jiaozi dumplings
饺子
Jiǎo zi
Pleated wheat-wrapper dumplings, with a world of fillings to explore.
Regional starting pointBeijing & the north
On the menuDumplings
Typical heatMild
Flavor & textureJuicy · Comforting · Savory
Get to know the dish
Jiaozi are a broad family of filled dumplings rather than one fixed recipe. A wheat-flour wrapper encloses a meat, vegetable or mixed filling. Boiled, steamed and pan-fried preparations create very different textures.
What to look for
The filling and cooking method matter more than a single English label. A boiled dumpling is tender; a pan-fried one adds a crisp base.
Every kitchen has its version
Vegetable fillings may still contain egg, shrimp, lard or meat stock. Condiments also vary; start with a little vinegar or the house dipping sauce.
Sources & further reading
Background and preparation references. Our descriptions are editorial summaries, not restaurant reviews.
