Dumpling tacos are the ultimate culinary mashup, where the heartiness of tacos meets the delicate artistry of dumplings, creating a dish that’s pure joy in every bite. This incredibly tasty plate of food, originally by “Dished by Kate” made its way into the Tasty Spoonful kitchen when we caught a glimpse that it might be a great vehicle for Rayu… we were not disappointed!

These delightful bites bring together the best of Mexican and Asian cuisines, creating a mouthwatering experience that’s both familiar and excitingly new. Whether you’re a taco enthusiast or a dumpling devotee, this recipe promises to be a hit at your next meal or gathering. Get ready to impress your taste buds and your guests with this innovative and delicious creation!

The beautiful world of fusion cuisine…


The history of dumpling tacos is a tasty tale of culinary creativity and fusion magic! In bustling cities like Los Angeles and New York, where diverse cultures collide, the fusion food movement took off in the early 2000’s. Visionary chefs like Roy Choi, with his famous Korean BBQ tacos, paved the way for this delicious revolution. Inspired by these fusion pioneers, the idea of dumpling tacos was born.

Dumpling tacos quickly captured the hearts (and taste buds) of food enthusiasts. Food trucks and fusion restaurants started popping up, serving these scrumptious hybrids. Social media has also played a leading role in spreading the love, with food bloggers and Instagram influencers showcasing their colorful, flavor-packed creations. And why not, it’s all the flavour without the fuss.

The beauty of dumpling tacos lies in their versatility. Whether you’re a carnivore craving spicy pork, a chicken lover with a taste for ginger and garlic, or a vegetarian dreaming of tofu and fresh herbs, there’s a dumpling taco for you. This adaptability makes them a hit at food festivals, dinner parties, and casual get-togethers.

“For me, fusion is not just a blend of varying cultural cuisines; it’s also finding the unique similarities to recreate traditional dishes.”

Chef amy le

As dumpling tacos have continued to gain popularity, they have evolved, incorporating flavors from around the world. The fusion fun never stops, with new variations and creative twists keeping the culinary excitement alive. From soy-sesame to salsa-infused fillings, the possibilities are truly endless. From Turkey to Taiwan, absolutely everyone is getting on board the fusion taco train.

So next time you bite into a dumpling taco, remember: you’re tasting a delicious piece of culinary history, born from the bold and imaginative spirit of fusion cuisine. Enjoy the ride, and savor every flavorful bite!

Also Read: Spicy chicken, pineapple & Thai basil lettuce cups

Dumpling taco folded the tasty spoonful
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10 Reasons Why You Want to Make Dumpling Tacos

  1. Unique Fusion of Flavors: Combining the rich, bold spices of tacos with the delicate, savory dough of dumplings creates a completely unique culinary experience. This fusion is sure to excite your taste buds with its unexpected yet harmonious blend of flavors.
  2. Fun and Engaging to Prepare Making dumpling tacos is an interactive cooking activity that can be enjoyed with family and friends. Folding the dumplings, mixing the fillings, and watching them transform from simple ingredients to delectable bites is both rewarding and entertaining.
  3. Perfect for Parties and Gatherings Dumpling tacos are ideal for social events. Their bite-sized nature makes them easy to serve and enjoy at parties, and their unique concept is a guaranteed conversation starter that will impress your guests.
  4. Versatile with Fillings and Seasonings The possibilities for fillings are endless. From classic beef and cheese to adventurous combinations like spicy shrimp and avocado, you can customize the dumpling tacos to suit any taste or dietary preference, making them incredibly versatile.
  5. Combines the Best of Both Worlds Lovers of tacos and dumplings no longer need to choose between their favorites. Dumpling tacos bring together the comforting elements of both dishes, offering the hearty, seasoned goodness of tacos with the tender, doughy delight of dumplings.
  6. Can Be Made Ahead and Frozen Dumpling tacos can be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer. This makes them a convenient option for busy days or unexpected guests, as you can simply cook them straight from the freezer without compromising on flavor or texture.
  7. Customizable for Different Dietary Preferences Whether you’re cooking for vegetarians, vegans, or gluten-free diets, dumpling tacos can be easily adapted. Substitute tofu or beans for meat, use gluten-free wrappers, and customize seasonings to fit various dietary needs.
  8. Ideal for Experimenting with New Ingredients If you enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, dumpling tacos provide the perfect canvas. Try incorporating different cheeses, exotic spices, or seasonal vegetables to keep the dish exciting and continually evolving.
  9. Deliciously Addictive and Satisfying The combination of savory, spicy, and umami flavors wrapped in a tender dumpling skin creates a taste sensation that’s hard to resist. Dumpling tacos are incredibly satisfying, making them a hit at any meal and leaving everyone wanting more.


10 Tips for Cooking Dumpling Tacos – Expanded

  1. Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients Fresh ingredients enhance the flavors and textures of your dumpling tacos. Fresh vegetables, herbs, and high-quality meats or tofu ensure that your filling is vibrant and tasty.
  2. Don’t Overfill the taco As tempting as it is to pile on all that meaty (or-not-so-meaty) goodness, overfilling will make it impossible to flip your tacos because there will be a bunch of filling that won’t stick to the base. Which means messy moistening filling all over your pan and no crispy bread base.
  3. Spread to the Edge You’ve got one circular vehicle for all that goodness make sure to get the most out of it by spreading your filling right to the edges – that way you’ll ensure a juicy and delicious experience in every mouthful.
  4. Use a Non-Stick Skillet or frying pan It probably goes without saying but a non-stick skillet helps prevent the bread from sticking during frying and ensures you get an even cook and easy to flip experience.
  5. Don’t skip the flip. It really does make a difference to the overall flavour getting that last final fry on your taco dumpling. The crispy bread just adds a little something something you don’t want to miss.
  6. Don’t overcook your filling: You really only need the 4 minutes for pretty much any filling you choose. Overcooking will cause your filling to dry out or burn.
  7. Serve it straight up. Dumpling tacos need to be eaten warm and crunchy, try to serve them straight away or if you are entertaining, keep them warm whilst preparing the rest of your batches.
  8. Use fresh herbs in your filling. Nothing packs more punch than the flavour or fresh herbs. Don’t skimp on the green stuff, get fresh and friendly with your fillings.

These tips will help you master the art of making dumpling tacos, ensuring that they are delicious, well-prepared, and impressive every time.


A note on ingredients:

Pork Mince (Or Chicken or Beef): When choosing pork mince, look for meat that is pink with a firm texture and no unpleasant odor. If you prefer chicken or beef mince, ensure the chicken is pale pink and the beef is a bright red color, both indicating freshness. Free-range or grass-fed choices for chicken and beef not only offer superior taste but also are more nutritious – they are most definitely worth the extra spend.

dumpling tacos with rocking rayu
Maacadamia finger lime Rayu makes the perfect addition to these tasty treats.

Tortillas: matter because quality tortillas made from high-quality corn or flour, free from artificial additives or preservatives have a better flavour. Homemade tortillas are of course going to give you the best flavour of all, but kind of defeat the purpose of this dish – given it’s all about speed and simplicity with powerful flavours – it doesn’t really make sense to go all out making your own. If you can get the fresh and preservative-free ones, however, your tastebuds will thank you for it.

Fresh coriander: is a must for this recipe. It should have vibrant green leaves without any signs of wilting or yellowing or questionable juices. Just remember to take a little taste test before you buy it though, out-of-season coriander can sometimes be completely devoid of taste. Try, where you can to get it from a farmers market where it’s been grown in real soil rather than hydroponically.

Garlic: Fresh is always best in my opinion, but if you need to use a pre-chopped version OR powder, I’d dare say you’d get away with it okay in this instance.

Ginger: See same notes as garlic.

Soy sauce: Most versions of this recipe rely on using light soy or liquid aminos for this because the dark is quite intense in flavour and this recipe is already full powered in that way. That said, if you’re all about the umami, go dark, and drive your little soy sauce-loving taste buds wild.

Fish sauce: High-quality fish sauce is made from anchovies and salt, fermented for a rich, deep flavor. Look for a clear, reddish-brown color and check that the ingredient list is short, without added preservatives or MSG. Premium brands often use traditional fermentation methods, resulting in a purer, more robust taste.

Hot tips:

  1. Store coriander in the refrigerator with the stems submerged in water and the leaves loosely covered with a plastic bag to keep it fresh. Rinse thoroughly before use to remove any dirt or chemicals.
  2. To maintain your spring onions and their crispness and extend their shelf life, store them in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed in a plastic bag


Taco Dumplings

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
With the ease and convenience of tacos and the delicious joy of dumplings, these quick and oh-so-flavourful dumpling tacos are destined to be your new obsession.

Equipment

  • 1 non-stick pan
  • 2 mixing bowls

Ingredients

For the dumpling tacos

  • 500 grams pork mince (or chicken or beef if you prefer)
  • 3 large spring onions (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup coriander fresh (chopped)
  • 5 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tbsp ginger (minced)
  • 2 tbsp light soy or liquid aminos
  • 2 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 6 regular tortillas (taco sized)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying (or other preferred oil) )

For the salsa

  • 1 small cucumber (cubed)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 lime juice of (add more at serving if you like)

For serving

  • 6 tsp whole egg mayonnaise (for serving)
  • 6 tsp rocking rayu lime and macadamia (or other chilli oil plus seame)

Instructions 

  • Mix all the seasonings (onion, coriander, pepper, soy, sesame, garlic, ginger, fish sauce and vinegar) into the pork mince and set aside
  • Mix together the lime juice, salt and cucumber to create your salsa.
  • Heat a pan to a medium high heat and add some olive oil for cooking.
  • Spread a thin layer of flavoured mince on a tortilla.
  • Place the torilla on the pan, meat face down, and cook for 4 minutes. Flip and cook the torilla for a further 1 minute or until it gets crunchy.
  • Repeat until you have done all the tacos.
  • Serve with cucmber salsa, mayo and Rocking Rayu.

Notes

Interested in trying with some Rocking Rayu? Find yourself some here in our online store.
Course: diner, lunch
Cuisine: asian, fusion, Mexican
Keyword: dumping tacos, quick easy asian recipes, quick easy recipes, taco dumpling

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Until next time. Keep following, liking, sharing, commenting and cooking, and may your every spoonful be tastier than the last!

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