About this recipe

These classic Korean mandu are tender, juicy dumplings filled with a savory blend of pork, tofu, glass noodles, kimchi, and aromatics. Pan-fried to a golden crisp on one side and steamed through, they're the ultimate crowd-pleaser — perfect as an appetizer, snack, or a full meal. This well-tested recipe walks you through making the dough from scratch and folding with confidence, even for beginners.

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Pour in the boiling water gradually while stirring with a fork or chopsticks. Once shaggy, use your hands to bring the dough together into a rough ball. The hot water creates a softer, more pliable dough — this is key.

2. 2

   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. It should feel like soft Play-Doh — not sticky, not stiff. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This rest is non-negotiable for easy rolling.

3. 3

   Soak the glass noodles in hot water for 10 minutes until softened. Drain well, then chop into small ½-inch pieces. Set aside. While they soak, press the firm tofu firmly between paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to remove as much moisture as possible, then crumble it into a bowl.

4. 4

   Finely chop the kimchi and squeeze it firmly in your fist over the sink to remove excess liquid. This step is critical — too much moisture will make your filling soggy and your wrappers tear.

5. 5

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, crumbled firm tofu, chopped kimchi, chopped glass noodles, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, black pepper, and egg. Mix thoroughly with your hands until everything is evenly combined and the mixture feels cohesive. Taste a small pinch — it should be well-seasoned and savory. Adjust soy sauce or sesame oil as needed.

6. 6

   Stir together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, gochugaru (if using), and sliced green onions in a small mixing bowl until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.

7. 7

   Divide the rested dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll one half into a thin log about 1 inch in diameter, then cut into 20 equal pieces. Keep the other half covered. Flatten each piece into a disk with your palm, then roll each disk into a round about 3½ inches in diameter — thin edges, slightly thicker center. Work in batches and keep finished wrappers covered with a damp cloth.

8. 8

   Place a wrapper in your palm. Scoop about 1 heaping teaspoon of filling into the center — don't overfill or the edges won't seal. Lightly wet the edge of the wrapper with a dab of water using your fingertip. Fold the wrapper in half over the filling to form a half-moon. Press the edges firmly together, then crimp by folding and pinching small pleats along the sealed edge. Press down firmly to seal — any gaps will cause them to burst during cooking. Place finished mandu on a lightly floured tray. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

9. 9

   Heat a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over ^[medium-high heat]. Add the neutral oil and swirl to coat. Once shimmering, arrange mandu flat-side down in a single layer without crowding (cook in batches if needed). Fry undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until the bottoms are deep golden brown.

10. 10

    Carefully pour the water into the cast iron skillet (it will splatter — stand back!). Immediately cover with a tight-fitting lid. Steam for 5–6 minutes until the water has evaporated and the wrappers look translucent and cooked through. Remove the lid and let any remaining moisture cook off for 1 minute so the bottoms re-crisp.

11. 11

    Transfer the mandu golden-side up to a serving plate. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce on the side. They're best eaten hot, right out of the pan.