Wonton

Chinese food · dumplings · cooking

Tiny flavor packets. Wontons are small dumplings made by wrapping a thin square of dough around a savory filling, usually pork or shrimp mixed with spices. They're way smaller and more delicate than other types of dumplings.

Cantonese creation. Wontons come from Cantonese cuisine in southern China, and the name comes from a Cantonese phrase that sounds like 'wan tan' when you say it out loud. Cantonese wontons became the most popular style around the world because Cantonese restaurants spread to many countries.

Soup or noodles. You can eat wontons many ways, but they're most famous in wonton soup, where they float in a clear, savory broth. They're also delicious on top of noodle dishes.

Hand-folded art. Making wontons is a skill that takes practice, because you have to carefully fold each tiny wrapper into a perfect pocket without tearing it. Many restaurants fold them by hand, one at a time.

Around the world. While wontons started in China, you can now find them in Chinese restaurants almost everywhere around the globe, from North America to Europe and beyond.