Dumpling dipping sauce: the ratios that actually work
A good dipping sauce is mostly vinegar and a little soy. Pour more soy and the dumpling disappears under salt. This is the version we use.
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Chinkiang black vinegar
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon thin ginger matchsticks
- 1 teaspoon chili oil (optional)
- 1 scallion, sliced (optional)
Steps
- Stir the vinegar and soy sauce together in a small dish.
- Add the ginger and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Add chili oil and scallion if you want heat and freshness.
- Taste with a plain dumpling and adjust.
Two sauces, two jobs
Steamed soup dumplings are delicate, so they want a bright sauce: black vinegar with a few threads of fresh ginger and a tiny splash of soy. Fried dumplings and potstickers can take a bolder one with more soy and chili oil.
For soup dumplings
Three parts Chinkiang black vinegar, one part light soy sauce, and a spoon of very thin ginger matchsticks. Taste before dipping.
For fried dumplings
Two parts soy sauce, one part black vinegar, a little sesame oil, chili oil to taste and sliced scallion.
At the restaurant
Extra dipping sauces, chili oil or vinegar are listed at about $0.50 to $1.50, so you can top up cheaply. If you have not tried the pairing yet, our ordering guide shows when to use each.
Variations and substitutions
No Chinkiang vinegar? Rice vinegar with a dash of balsamic is a workable substitute. No ginger? A little garlic works, but use half as much. Want it sweeter? Add a quarter teaspoon of sugar and stir until it dissolves.
For a nutty sauce, whisk in a small spoon of sesame paste or peanut butter thinned with warm water. That version suits boiled dumplings and cold noodles.
Questions people ask
What vinegar is best for soup dumplings?
Chinkiang black vinegar is the usual choice. Its mellow, slightly sweet flavor suits pork.
Can I use rice vinegar?
Yes, but it is sharper and thinner. Use a little less and add a pinch of sugar.
Is the sauce gluten free?
Soy sauce usually contains wheat. Use tamari if you need gluten free.