If you’re looking for the perfect compliment to your meal, try these two Chinese dipping sauces!
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Jump to RecipeToday, I’m sharing two of my favorite Chinese dipping sauces: dumpling dipping sauce and ginger scallion dipping sauce! Either of these make a great addition to a Chinese meal and come together in five minutes.
Their main value is how versatile they are. You can use them to add flavor to just about anything, but they can also revive old takeout or leftover rice that sat in the fridge a bit too long. Don’t you hate it when Chinese food in the fridge dries out and loses flavor with it? These Chinese dipping sauces are CPR for leftovers.
Beyond the obvious – it’s fantastic to dip dumplings into – I love the dumpling dipping sauce to top my Chinese chicken lettuce wraps. It’s one of those all-purpose flavor mixes that amp up just about anything. You can also use it as a marinade for chicken or tofu if you double or triple the recipe and let sit for an hour, or better yet, overnight.
The ginger scallion dipping sauce is a surprising addition to any chicken dish over rice, or for dipping scallion pancakes in.
One tip: these need at least five minutes for the flavors to meld, so don’t make them last minute. I usually make them first and set them aside so they’re perfect when we’re ready to eat!
They also keep in the fridge, so feel free to make a day in advance if you’re making a more elaborate meal. I also like them on leftovers – they help day-old rice rehydrate and add some extra moisture to whatever protein you’ve got.
Another great thing about Chinese food: the flavors work together so well that you can easily customize it to what you love. So feel free to be a little fast and loose with the measurements – taste as you go, and make it your own!
Tools you’ll need: knife and small bowls.
Dumpling Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp nam pla (fish sauce)
- 1 1/2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp sugar
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic
Instructions
- Combine everything in a bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. Let sit for five minutes before serving.
Ginger Scallion Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 scallions
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup corn oil
Instructions
- Trim and thinly slice the scallions. Peel and mince the ginger. Combine in a small bowl with salt.
- In a small pan, heat the oil until smoking.
- Carefully pour the oil into the scallions and ginger, stirring to combine.
If you’re looking for an easy Chinese dipping sauce to complement whatever you’re making (or reheating), these two will add flavor and moisture to whatever you’re eating!
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[…] The best way to serve mandu is to dip it in a sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce and rice vinegar. Soy sauce, thinly sliced green onions, minced garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and a few drops of gochugaru (Korean chilies powder) are all ingredients in this more elaborate dipping sauce. […]