QuoteWhat is the difference between the 饺子, 水饺, 云吞 and How many main types of them? Thank you so much!
Briefly:
饺子 jiaozi is a generic term covering all dumplings made with this relatively thick skin. They are most often made in the classic crescent moon shape.
The stuffing can vary enormously. Most common is probably minced (ground) pork with cabbage or other green vegetable. Shrimp, chicken, beef, lamb etc can all be used as can mushrooms and other vegetables.
I have seen them with all kinds of fillings both sweet and savoury, although the latter are much more common. About twenty years ago, I ate in a Beijing jiaozi place which had over 200 varieties on offer. My favourite local jiaozi place has about twenty.
水饺 shuijiao are simple boiled jiaozi (as opposed to fried). They may be served on their own with various dips, or in soups.
水饺- Boiled Jiaozi
馄炖, 云吞, 抄手 are alternative names for 'wontons' which are generally smaller than jiaozi, use thinner skin and are usually wrapped more like traditional money bags.or like a hobo's knapsack. The stuffing is usually simpler and much less in volume. There are, however exceptions and there are many regional variations.
In mainland China, they are nearly always served in soup, sometimes with noodles.
Commercially made frozen wontons - 馄炖
