What to Eat With Dumplings: 5 Perfect Pairings in 2025

A dumpling is a small, savory, or sweet dish made from dough, usually wrapped around a filling (such as meat, vegetables, or fruit). It can be boiled, steamed, fried, or baked and is popular in various cuisines worldwide.

Wherever you go, from China to the Americas, from Europe to Africa, chances are you’ll find dumplings in one shape or another. They’re easy to make and versatile but also easy to transport and enjoy on the go. Most feature a gentle flavor and can be quite filling, so finding a side dish that works is tricky. You want to enhance their culinary profile, not overwhelm it. 

Plus, if the side dishes are heavy, you risk adding excessive calories to your meal If you’re like me (in pursuit of delicious, low-calorie meals), look for ideas by browsing our best low-calorie meal delivery services list.

So, what can you eat next to dumplings? I put together a list of side dishes that are easy to prepare and go nicely with your favorite dumplings.

All the recipes on this page are carefully crafted by our team, including our in-house nutritionist, who also calculates the nutritional information provided. While we strive for accuracy, please note that actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods.  

1. Dumplings and Chicken Soup

Ingredients 📃

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into ½-inch pieces)

• 2 medium yellow onions (finely chopped)

• 2 stalks celery (finely chopped)

• 2 carrots (finely chopped)

• 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)

• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

• 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 4 cups (32 oz) low-sodium chicken broth

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

• Chopped fresh parsley (for serving)

For the dumplings:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 large egg

• ⅔ cup buttermilk

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1 ½ tsp salt (more to taste)

• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Method 🧑‍🍳

1. Place a large pot over medium heat and add oil. When the pot is hot, add onions, celery, and carrots, and cook until softened (about 7 minutes). Add garlic and thyme, and cook for another minute until fragrant.

2. Move the vegetables to one side of the pot. Add the chicken bits, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the chicken is cooked through (6 to 8 minutes). 

3. Add the broth and ½ cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer.

4. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center and add egg, buttermilk, and butter. Mix with a fork until combined.

5. Using a spoon, drop 1 tablespoonful of the mixture at a time into the simmering soup. Cover and cook over low heat until the dumplings are cooked through (about 5 minutes). 

6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve the soup and dumplings in bowls topped with parsley. Bonne Appetit!

Overview 🔍

Chicken soup is the nutritious broth most of us turn to when we’re sick or feeling blue. Its gentle flavor and warm liquid feel like a hug from the inside and reinvigorate every fiber of your being as you slurp it down.

Add some dumplings to it, and you'll have the perfect dish for the cold season. Homemade dumplings absorb some of the broth while they cook, making them almost like fluffy clouds that melt in your mouth. 

The dumplings are tender and light, while the soup is rich and savory. It's the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re feeling under the weather, missing home, or just craving something soul-soothing, chicken soup with dumplings is the answer. Grab a spoon!

2. Dry Wonton Noodles

Ingredients 📃

• 1 lb fresh wonton egg noodles

• 20 store-bought wontons (for boiling)

• 4 cups baby bok choy (sliced in half)

• 1 green onion for garnishing (finely chopped)

For the sauce:

• 1.5 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp regular soy sauce

• 1 tbsp Chinese chili oil

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 garlic clove (finely minced)

• 1 tsp white granulated sugar

• 3.5 tbsp hot water (boiling)

Method 🧑‍🍳

1. Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring it to a boil. Blanch the bok choy for 1 to 2 minutes until tender and bright green. Drain and set aside on a plate.

2. Refill the pot with fresh water and bring it to a boil. Reduce to medium heat, add the wontons, and cook them for 5 to 7 minutes or until they float. Drain and set aside.  

3. In a small bowl, mix the noodle sauce ingredients and set aside.

4. Once more, refill the pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Gently loosen the wonton egg noodles with your hands, then blanch them for 15 to 20 seconds. Drain immediately (do not overcook!).

5. Transfer the hot noodles to a large bowl and toss with the noodle sauce. Divide into bowls and add the wontons and bok choy to each bowl.

6. Garnish with green onions and chili oil. Serve and enjoy!

Overview 🔍

Wontons are a type of Chinese dumpling that goes well next to noodles and/or veggies. In this case, I paired them with egg noodles (another staple in Asian cuisine) and blanched baby bok choy for a simpler flavor. 

The dish is light and perfect for summer days when it’s too hot for a broth. The simple garlic sesame soy sauce blends and enhances all the flavors and textures in one delicious meal. Just make sure to move fast so you don’t overcook the noodles or the veggies!

If you’re looking for something simple, easy to make, and with minimal cleaning, this wonton noodle recipe is the perfect choice. It takes 15 minutes to make, and you only use 1 pot! 

3. Curry Sauce With Asian Inspiration

Ingredients 📃

• 2 cups chicken broth low-sodium

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp curry powder

• ½ tsp fennel seeds

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 2 tbsp water

Method 🧑‍🍳

1. Place a pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When it’s hot, add flour and stir until it forms a paste (do not let it turn brown).

2. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, breaking up any lumps, until smooth and creamy. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 minute.

3. Stir in curry powder, fennel seeds, cinnamon, garlic powder, onion powder, and soy sauce.  

4. In a small bowl, mix water and cornstarch to make a roux.

5. Slowly whisk the roux into the sauce and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat.

6. Serve as a dipping sauce next to your favorite dumplings. Enjoy!

Overview 🔍

This Asian-inspired curry sauce is a flavorful and versatile addition to any meal. It features an aromatic blend of spices and has a rich, creamy texture, making it the perfect dipping option for hearty, savory dumplings filled with chicken, pork, veggies, or shrimp.

Add a plate of fries or steamed veggies, and you have a complete meal! This curry sauce can also be the secret addition to steaks, stews, or BBQs, so don’t throw it away if there are leftovers. 

It keeps well in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 or 4 days, but you can also freeze it for up to 3 months. 

4. Corn Chowder With Dumplings

Ingredients 📃

• 2 large onions (chopped)

• 2 tsp canola oil

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 3 cups frozen corn

• 2 cups cubed potatoes

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 2 tsp minced chipotle pepper in Adobo sauce

• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the dumplings:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup yellow cornmeal

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ cup 2% milk

• ¼ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)

Method 🧑‍🍳

1. Place a large saucepan over medium heat, add oil and onions, and sauté until soft.

2. Add broth, corn, potatoes, cream, chipotle pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt to form the dumplings. Stir in milk and cheese until just combined.

4. Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering chowder.

5. Cover and cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid until the dumplings are firm. To try, poke them with a toothpick – if it comes out clean, they’re done.

6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Overview 🔍

Every spoonful of this corn chowder with dumplings feels like pure comfort. The dish is creamy, hearty, and packed with layers of flavor.

The base of this chowder is everything you want in a comforting meal. The corn gives it a natural sweetness elevated by the softness of potatoes and the creaminess of cream. Even so, the dish doesn’t feel heavy and goes extremely well with the texture and taste of the dumplings.

This dish is my definition of a perfect cozy meal. It’s the kind of thing you make on a rainy day, serve in deep bowls, and eat slowly, letting the warmth sink in.

5. Blackberry Dumplings

Ingredients 📃

• 1 quart frozen (loose-pack) blackberries

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup and 1 tbsp sugar

• ⅔ cup 2% milk

• ¾ tsp salt

• ½ tsp lemon extract

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ¼  tsp ground nutmeg

• 8 tbsp sweet whipped cream (1 tbsp per serving)

Method 🧑‍🍳

1. Place a Dutch oven (or a large stockpot with a heavy base) over medium heat and add blackberries, 1 cup sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and lemon extract. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, nutmeg, remaining sugar, and salt. Add milk and stir until combined (the dough should have a thick texture).  

3. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the Dutch oven over the hot blackberry mixture, forming 8 mounds.  

4. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time. After 15 minutes, poke the dumplings with a toothpick to see if they come out clean. If they do, the dumplings are cooked. 

5. Remove from heat and serve warm, with a tbsp of whipped cream on top.

Overview 🔍

This dessert is a rustic, old-fashioned treat that feels like something your grandmother would make. It fills the kitchen with the scent of warm fruit and buttery dough. And trust me, once you take that first bite, you’ll understand why this recipe has stood the test of time.  

The magic starts with the blackberries. As they simmer with just a touch of sugar and a squeeze of lemon, they break down into a rich, syrupy sauce that’s both sweet and slightly tart. 

Then come the dumplings, dropped right into the bubbling fruit like little pillows of soft, buttery goodness. They soak up all that blackberry syrup as they cook, turning golden and tender, infused with the deep, jammy flavor of the berries.

Served warm, these dumplings are pure comfort in a bowl!

FAQ

What food goes well with dumplings?

Dumplings pair well with a variety of dishes. Popular options include stir-fried vegetables, steamed bok choy, or a light salad with sesame dressing. For a more substantial meal, serve with fried rice, noodles (like in the Dry Wonton Noodles recipe), or a simple soup like miso or hot and sour. 

Can dumplings be a full meal?

Yes, especially when paired with vegetables or protein-rich sides. You can serve them with a hearty soup (like Chicken Soup) or fried rice to add more substance. Dumplings are filling on their own, especially if they contain meat, tofu, or vegetables.

What are some good options to eat alongside gyoza?

Gyoza is a Japanese dumpling with different fillings that pairs well with light, flavorful sides like miso soup, steamed vegetables, or a refreshing cucumber salad. You can also serve it with rice, such as jasmine or sticky rice, or noodles, like soba or ramen. 

What is the best way to eat dumplings?

The best way to eat dumplings is to first dip them in a sauce, like curry sauce, soy sauce, chili oil, or vinegar, to enhance the flavor. If they're pan-fried, enjoy the crispy bottom first for texture contrast. Steamed or boiled dumplings can be eaten as is or paired with a side dish like soup or rice.