Who says delicious food is only for dining out? With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up restaurant-quality dishes right at home. Today, I’m sharing my go-to dipping sauce recipe for pairing with Mandu (dumplings). It’s easy, full of flavor, and incredibly versatile—plus, you can tweak it to match your personal taste!
Whether you prefer it mild or with a spicy kick, this sauce has the perfect balance of salty, tangy, sweet, and savory. And the best part? You don’t have to be a master chef to make it. Let’s dive in.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar as a substitute)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 tbsp sesame oil
1/2–1 tbsp honey (or brown sugar for a deeper sweetness)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1–2 garlic cloves, minced (about 1/2 tbsp)
1 green onion, chopped (about 1 tbsp)
1/2 tbsp garlic chili paste (optional, for a spicy kick)
Red chili pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Mix it up: In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients. Stir well until the honey dissolves and everything blends together nicely.
Adjust to your taste: Feel free to tweak the flavors! Want more sweetness? Add extra honey. Prefer it spicier? A bit more chili paste or chili flakes will do the trick.
Serve & enjoy: Serve the sauce alongside your dumplings, and dig in!
Notes:
Ginger shortcuts: If fresh ginger isn’t available, you can use bottled or jarred ginger instead.
Make it your own: Don’t be afraid to play with the ingredients! A little more garlic or a splash of lime can make it your signature sauce.
A Final Note:
I love cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, but I’m definitely the type to eyeball ingredients and improvise. That’s why I’m working on getting better at writing down my recipes (so I can share them with you all!).
If you give this dipping sauce a try, let me know how it turns out! Also, I’d love to hear what other dipping sauces are your favorite for dumplings—share in the comments!
Don’t forget to check out my other recipes for more easy, flavor-packed ideas. Happy cooking!
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