When enjoying dumplings, the right side dishes can make your meal even more delightful.
While dumplings are delicious, pairing them with complementary sides can elevate your dining experience.
Whether you’re looking for something light and refreshing or hearty and flavorful, there are plenty of options.
This guide will introduce you to 33 fantastic sides that perfectly complement dumplings, from savory soups and crispy spring rolls to vibrant salads and flavorful stir-fries.
Explore these ideas to find the best pairings and enhance your meal with variety and taste.
Dive into this list to discover new favorites and make your dumpling experience memorable.
What are the Best Sides for Dumplings?
1. Hot and Sour Soup
- Flavor Profile: Tangy and spicy with a rich broth.
- Ingredients: Tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, vinegar, and white pepper.
- Serving Tips: Serve hot as a starter or alongside dumplings for a balanced meal.
2. Wonton Soup
- Flavor Profile: Light and savory with a delicate broth.
- Ingredients: Wontons, broth, bok choy, and scallions.
- Serving Tips: Perfect as a light appetizer or to complement dumplings.
3. Stir-Fried Vegetables
- Flavor Profile: Crisp and colorful with a savory sauce.
- Ingredients: Bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and snap peas.
- Cooking Tips: Stir-fry quickly to retain the crunch and vibrant colors.
4. Spring Rolls
- Flavor Profile: Crispy with fresh, crunchy vegetables.
- Ingredients: Rice paper, lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve with sweet chili or peanut sauce.
5. Edamame
- Flavor Profile: Lightly salted and nutty.
- Ingredients: Young soybeans, sea salt.
- Serving Tips: Serve warm or at room temperature as a simple snack or side.
6. Asian Cucumber Salad
- Flavor Profile: Refreshing and tangy with a hint of sweetness.
- Ingredients: Cucumbers, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame seeds.
- Serving Tips: Serve chilled for a crisp, cool side.
7. Seaweed Salad
- Flavor Profile: Light and umami-rich.
- Ingredients: Seaweed, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
- Serving Tips: Serve chilled as a refreshing, savory side.
8. Chinese Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
- Flavor Profile: Savory and slightly sweet with a garlic kick.
- Ingredients: Chinese broccoli, garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
- Cooking Tips: Stir-fry quickly to maintain the vegetable’s vibrant color and crispness.
9. Fried Rice
- Flavor Profile: Savory and hearty with a variety of textures.
- Ingredients: Rice, vegetables, egg, soy sauce, and protein options like chicken or shrimp.
- Serving Tips: Serve warm as a substantial side to complement the dumplings.
10. Steamed Rice
- Flavor Profile: Simple and neutral, ideal for pairing with flavorful dishes.
- Ingredients: White or jasmine rice.
- Cooking Tips: Cook until fluffy and serve plain or with a drizzle of soy sauce.
11. Gyoza Sauce
- Flavor Profile: Savory and tangy with a hint of sweetness.
- Ingredients: Soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar.
- Serving Tips: Use as a dipping sauce for dumplings to enhance their flavor.
12. Pickled Vegetables
- Flavor Profile: Tangy and crunchy.
- Ingredients: Assorted vegetables like carrots, radishes, and cucumbers in a vinegar brine.
- Serving Tips: Serve cold to add a zesty contrast to the dumplings.
13. Scallion Pancakes
- Flavor Profile: Crispy and savory with a hint of scallion.
- Ingredients: Flour, water, scallions, and oil.
- Cooking Tips: Pan-fry until golden and crispy, then cut into wedges for serving.
14. Char Siu Pork
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and savory with a caramelized exterior.
- Ingredients: Pork shoulder, hoisin sauce, honey, and five-spice powder.
- Cooking Tips: Roast until the edges are slightly crispy and serve sliced.
15. Bok Choy Stir-Fry
- Flavor Profile: Tender with a slightly sweet flavor.
- Ingredients: Bok choy, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger.
- Cooking Tips: Stir-fry quickly to keep bok choy crisp and bright.
16. Hot and Spicy Noodles
- Flavor Profile: Bold and spicy with a rich sauce.
- Ingredients: Noodles, chili oil, soy sauce, and garlic.
- Serving Tips: Serve warm for a spicy, satisfying complement to dumplings.
17. Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and savory with a smoky char.
- Ingredients: Chicken, teriyaki sauce, and vegetables for skewering.
- Cooking Tips: Grill until caramelized and serve with extra teriyaki sauce for dipping.
18. Kimchi
- Flavor Profile: Spicy and fermented with a tangy bite.
- Ingredients: Napa cabbage, radishes, and chili flakes.
- Serving Tips: Serve cold as a spicy, tangy side.
19. Garlic Soy Green Beans
- Flavor Profile: Crunchy and savory with a garlic aroma.
- Ingredients: Green beans, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
- Cooking Tips: Sauté until beans are tender-crisp and coated in garlic.
20. Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Flavor Profile: Tangy with a hint of sweetness.
- Ingredients: Vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce.
- Serving Tips: Use as a dipping sauce to enhance the flavor of the dumplings.
21. Spicy Szechuan Noodles
- Flavor Profile: Bold and spicy with a rich, savory sauce.
- Ingredients: Noodles, chili paste, soy sauce, and vegetables.
- Serving Tips: Serve warm for a spicy, flavorful accompaniment.
22. Asian Slaw
- Flavor Profile: Crunchy and tangy with a hint of sweetness.
- Ingredients: Cabbage, carrots, green onions, and a sesame dressing.
- Serving Tips: Serve chilled for a refreshing, crunchy side.
23. Crispy Potstickers
- Flavor Profile: Crispy on the outside with a savory filling.
- Ingredients: Potsticker wrappers, ground meat, and vegetables.
- Cooking Tips: Pan-fry until golden and serve with dipping sauce.
24. Lotus Root Stir-Fry
- Flavor Profile: Crunchy with a slightly sweet taste.
- Ingredients: Lotus root, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
- Cooking Tips: Stir-fry quickly to preserve crunchiness.
25. Miso Soup
- Flavor Profile: Savory and umami-rich.
- Ingredients: Miso paste, tofu, seaweed, and scallions.
- Serving Tips: Serve hot as a comforting soup alongside dumplings.
26. Crispy Tofu Bites
- Flavor Profile: Crispy exterior with a tender inside.
- Ingredients: Firm tofu, cornstarch, and seasonings.
- Cooking Tips: Fry until golden and serve with dipping sauce.
27. Steamed Bao Buns
- Flavor Profile: Soft and slightly sweet.
- Ingredients: Bao dough and a variety of fillings.
- Serving Tips: Serve warm with a variety of fillings or as a side.
28. Soy-Glazed Carrots
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and savory with a rich glaze.
- Ingredients: Carrots, soy sauce, honey, and garlic.
- Cooking Tips: Glaze carrots until tender and caramelized.
29. Chinese Chive Pancakes
- Flavor Profile: Savory with a crispy texture.
- Ingredients: Flour, chives, and oil.
- Cooking Tips: Pan-fry until crispy and cut into wedges.
30. Spicy Pickled Radishes
- Flavor Profile: Tangy with a spicy kick.
- Ingredients: Radishes, vinegar, chili flakes.
- Serving Tips: Serve cold for a tangy, spicy side.
31. Szechuan Style Green Beans
- Flavor Profile: Spicy and savory with a hint of sweetness.
- Ingredients: Green beans, Szechuan peppercorns, soy sauce.
- Cooking Tips: Stir-fry until beans are tender and coated in spices.
32. Coconut Rice
- Flavor Profile: Creamy with a subtle coconut flavor.
- Ingredients: Jasmine rice, coconut milk, and a pinch of salt.
- Cooking Tips: Cook until rice is fluffy and infused with coconut flavor.
33. Chilled Sesame Noodles
- Flavor Profile: Nutty and slightly sweet.
- Ingredients: Noodles, sesame paste, soy sauce, and cucumbers.
- Serving Tips: Serve cold for a refreshing, nutty side.
Conclusion
Pairing dumplings with the right side dishes can transform your meal into a delightful and well-rounded experience.
The options are diverse and delicious, from vibrant salads and crispy spring rolls to savory soups and flavorful stir-fries.
These 35 side dishes complement the rich flavors of dumplings and add variety and balance to your meal.
Whether hosting a dinner party or enjoying a casual meal at home, experimenting with different sides can enhance your dining experience.
Enjoy mixing and matching these sides to find your perfect combination and make your dumpling meal even more satisfying.
