Crispy Sweet and Sour Mandu
Crispy Sweet and Sour Mandu
A Unique Way to Enjoy Mandu: Making Sweet and Sour Mandu
Many of us likely have dumplings (mandu) stocked in our freezers. I personally keep more than one type of frozen mandu. Mandu are perfect for a quick snack when hunger strikes, a great accompaniment to beer, or even added to ramen for a satisfying meal. They definitely take up space in my freezer! Instead of just enjoying them as plain mandu, I thought it would be more fun to prepare them in a different way, so I decided to make sweet and sour mandu. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it turned out! Let me show you how to make this unique sweet and sour mandu.
Main Ingredients- 13 frozen dumplings (mandu)
- 1 handful of sausages (approx. 50g)
- 1/4 onion
Sweet and Sour Sauce- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp water
- A little sesame oil (optional)
- A little sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp water
- A little sesame oil (optional)
- A little sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the delicious sweet and sour sauce! If you like it spicier, feel free to add about 1/2 Tbsp of gochujang (Korean chili paste). In a wide bowl, combine 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp gochugaru.
Step 2
Next, add 1 Tbsp of soy sauce for depth of flavor and 2 Tbsp of oligosaccharide for a smooth sweetness.
Step 3
Add 2 Tbsp of ketchup, the star of our sweet and sour flavor, and 2 Tbsp of water to create the right consistency. Whisk everything together with a whisk or spoon until well combined. A touch of sesame oil at this stage will add a lovely nutty aroma.
Step 4
Prepare the sausages by slicing them into bite-sized pieces (about 1cm thick) and making a few shallow cuts. Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan. Add the frozen dumplings and the prepared sausages, and pan-fry them until golden brown and crispy. Dumplings take longer to cook through, so it’s best to pan-fry them first until they are mostly cooked, then add the sausages in the middle to cook together. This prevents the sausages from burning while the dumplings finish cooking.
Step 5
Once the dumplings and sausages are beautifully golden brown, pour in the prepared sweet and sour sauce. Stir-fry quickly to coat the dumplings and sausages evenly with the sauce. It’s crucial to keep the heat on low during this step to prevent the sauce from burning or sticking to the pan.
Step 6
While optional, adding thinly sliced onion at this stage will introduce a pleasant crunch and natural sweetness, making your sweet and sour mandu even more delightful. If using onion, add it after the dumplings and sausages are partially cooked but before adding the sauce, and stir-fry briefly.
Step 7
Once the sauce has thickened slightly and is beautifully coating the dumplings and sausages, turn off the heat. Transfer the sweet and sour mandu to a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for a final touch of flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy your delicious creation!
