Do you know what Jiaozi is? Is it a dumpling?

[registered]

For a long time, we Chinese use "dumpling" represent "Jiaozi" which is like a ravioli, but different...Jiaozi is steamed or boiled in water, and we dip it in condiment for a second when we eat.
I put a picture here.
Recently, I found that "dumpling" refers to another food, which is a small ball of dough cooked and served with stew...
Obviously, Jiaozi is not a ball of dough. So, I think "dumpling" is not a good translation.
I ask this question just want to know whether westerners know what "Jiaozi" is, if I use this word directly.
Or, do you have any better translation about this food.

 

[Tdol]

Recently, I found that "dumpling" refers to another food, which is a small ball of dough cooked and served with stew...
Obviously, Jiaozi is not a ball of dough. So, I think "dumpling" is not a good translation.

Many words have more than one meaning, and dumpling is the word that is commonly used. You can call it a Chinese dumpling so that there's no confusion. They're wrapped in dough, which is possibly why the term is used.

I ask this question just want to know whether westerners know what "Jiaozi" is, if I use this word directly.

Those who are familiar with Asian cuisine may know it, but many people will not.

There is a Wikipedia page on jiaozi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiaozi, but that doesn't make it a standard term.

 

[bhaisahab]

These are very popular in Nepal. They are delicious.
Filelateful of Momo in Nepal.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[5jj]

I still use the rolling pin a colleague in China gave me after I passed my jiaozi-making test.

 

[emsr2d2]

Even if I didn't know what they were, if I went to a Chinese restaurant and saw "dumplings" on the menu, I wouldn't necessarily assume that they would be the same sort of dumplings we're used to in the UK.

 

[emsr2d2]

I still use the rolling pin a colleague in China gave me after I passed my jiaozi-making test.

Yes, but what do you use it for?! :shock:

 

[5jj]

Yes, but what do you use it for?! :shock:

For making jiaozi, of course! I'll make you some next time you come to Prague.

 

[MikeNewYork]

For a long time, we Chinese use "dumpling" represent "Jiaozi" which is like a ravioli, but different...Jiaozi is steamed or boiled in water, and we dip it in condiment for a second when we eat.
I put a picture here.View attachment 1665
Recently, I found that "dumpling" refers to another food, which is a small ball of dough cooked and served with stew...
Obviously, Jiaozi is not a ball of dough. So, I think "dumpling" is not a good translation.
I ask this question just want to know whether westerners know what "Jiaozi" is, if I use this word directly.
Or, do you have any better translation about this food.

Most people I know would not confuse "dumplings" in a Chinese restaurant with European "dumplings". As with many other things, context is important. In New York, Chinese dumplings are often called "pot stickers". When they are fried crispy, we often call them "wontons".

 

[registered]

Many words have more than one meaning, and dumpling is the word that is commonly used. You can call it a Chinese dumpling so that there's no confusion. They're wrapped in dough, which is possibly why the term is used.


Those who are familiar with Asian cuisine may know it, but many people will not.

If I introduce it as "Chinese ravioli", will it be a better translation than only "dumpling"?

 

[registered]

Most people I know would not confuse "dumplings" in a Chinese restaurant with European "dumplings". As with many other things, context is important. In New York, Chinese dumplings are often called "pot stickers". When they are fried crispy, we often call them "wontons".

Pot sticker is fried dumpling, and "dumpling" I mentioned before is cooked by boiling or steaming.
And actually, "wonton" in China means another food, and we call it "chaoshou", whose "skin" is much thinner than dumpling, and the shape is not the same either.

 

[registered]

Even if I didn't know what they were, if I went to a Chinese restaurant and saw "dumplings" on the menu, I wouldn't necessarily assume that they would be the same sort of dumplings we're used to in the UK.

But our foreign teacher was confused about it. When we introduced it, he believed that "dumpling" is not yummy...
After he tried the Chinese dumpling one time, he thought "ravioli" might be a better word for this dish. So I'm confused now, compared with "ravioli", "dumpling" is not the better one?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Pot sticker is cooked by frying, I think that is little confusing.
Dumpling I mentioned is cooked by boiling or steaming.
Which meaning do your "wonton" mean? The first one or the second?
And actually, "wonton" in China means another food, and we call it "chaoshou".

A pot sticker is browned on one side and then simmered. From the consistency, I believe that they are boiled or steamed first.

I have no idea how fried wontons are prepared.

 

[MikeNewYork]

But our foreign teacher was confused about it. When we introduced it, he believed that "dumpling" is not yummy...
After he tried the Chinese dumpling one time, he thought "ravioli" might be a better word for this dish. So I'm confused now, compared with "ravioli", "dumpling" is not the better one?

I would not call them ravioli. Completely different.

 

[5jj]

If I introduce it as "Chinese ravioli", will it be a better translation than only "dumpling"?

Unlike Mike, I think 'Chinese ravioli' gives a better idea of what a jiaozi is than 'Chinese dumpling'. However. 'dumpling' is the word most commonly used by Chinese restaurants and known by their clients. I don't think we are going to change it now.

 

[5jj]

I don't think we are going to change it now.

However, I do remember when New Zeaalnd fruit growers successfully changed the name of their product from 'Chinese Gooseberry' to 'Kiwi Fruit'.

 

[emsr2d2]

However, I do remember when New Zeaalnd fruit growers successfully changed the name of their product from 'Chinese Gooseberry' to 'Kiwi Fruit'.

There are probably some people who still use the old name. We recently started selling a new dehydrated fruit snack in my shop. We have had to put up a sign by it, reading "These are dehydrated Goldenberries (aka Physalis aka Cape Gooseberries aka Incanberries)".

 

[MikeNewYork]

Unlike Mike, I think 'Chinese ravioli' gives a better idea of what a jiaozi is than 'Chinese dumpling'. However. 'dumpling' is the word most commonly used by Chinese restaurants and known by their clients. I don't think we are going to change it now.

If you are ever in New York, I will take you to Little Italy for real ravioli. And then we can go to Chinatown for pot stickers. :-D

 

[Tdol]

If I introduce it as "Chinese ravioli", will it be a better translation than only "dumpling"?

It seems a more accurate description; the only problem is that few will understand what you're talking about. The term dumplings is common and established.

 

[emsr2d2]

With no better idea of what it was, "Chinese Ravioli" would suggest to me small parcels made of two sheets of pasta stuffed with noodles and stir-fried vegetables/meat and then boiled. If that's what they are, great. If it's not, it's a misleading description.

 

[MikeNewYork]

With no better idea of what it was, "Chinese Ravioli" would suggest to me small parcels made of two sheets of pasta stuffed with noodles and stir-fried vegetables/meat and then boiled. If that's what they are, great. If it's not, it's a misleading description.

In the US, ravioli is never stuffed with noodles.