Pleasing potstickers and dumpy dumplings
Fried, steamed or simmered in soup, gyoza, potstickers and other Asian dumplings are a bite that few can resist. They’re light, tasty and so easy to eat. Making them from scratch, even if with pre-made dough rounds, can be a bit tedious, but you’ll find frozen dumplings of every ilk in the supermarket freezer case.
Gyoza are Japanese-style dumplings: A finely textured filling is tucked inside very thin dough to form small, delicate half-moons that are traditionally pan-fried, then steamed. Chinese-style potstickers are typically made from thicker dough and often fried, steamed, then crisped before serving. But the differences between gyoza and potstickers are subtle enough that most domestic brands put both names on the package.
Pork fillings are common but we opted to investigate the slightly more healthy chicken and vegetable versions. We found that the best of the bunch were exactly what you’d hope for, the worst were either taste-free or so strangely flavored they were hard to swallow.
Here’s the scoop on the gyoza and potstickers worth piling on a plate — and the dumpling failures. Nutrition details refer to a 7-piece serving, unless otherwise noted.
Bibigo Organic Chicken & Vegetable Potstickers
Silky thin dough and a delicious, peppery mix of onion, chicken and veggies makes these meticulously tucked and sealed gyoza-style potstickers the one to beat. 210 calories, 5 g fat, 600 mg sodium, 12 g protein. $11.49 for 36 ounces at Costco. ★★★★
Trader Joe’s Chicken Gyoza Potstickers
The umami flavors in these ginger-forward bites are mouthwatering. Finely diced onion and vegetables add great flavor and moisture to the chunky but well-seasoned filling. 200 calories, 4.5 g fat, 550 mg sodium, 10 g protein. $2.99 for 16 ounces. ★★★★
Ajinomoto Chicken Gyoza Dumplings
Delicate, nearly see-through dough and carefully crafted fillings make these pretty Japanese dumplings a delicious choice. A touch less concentrated chicken broth would make them even more enjoyable. 260 calories, 10 g fat, 690 mg sodium, 12 g protein. $6.99 for 24.7 ounces at Marina Market. ★★★½
Wei Chuan Vegetable & Chicken Pre-steamed Dumplings
Finely ground cabbage, a touch of onion and big chicken flavor make these vegetable-forward pockets some of the best in the freezer case. 8 pieces have 230 calories, 8 g fat, 610 mg sodium, 10 g protein. $4.49 for 21 ounces at Marina Market. ★★★½
Shirakiku Chicken Gyoza Dumplings
A bit too much salt and sugar and slightly mushy dough detract from the otherwise delicious balance of flavors. 200 calories, 3 g fat, 600 mg sodium, 10 g protein. $3.99 for 21 ounces at Marina Market. ★★½
InnovAsian Cuisine Chicken Potstickers
A bit too much ginger and the thick dough are problematic, but the sizable meaty centers are tasty, fresh and very juicy. 3 pieces have 200 calories, 9 g fat, 850 mg sodium,
9 g protein. $3.99 for 12 ounces at Raley’s. ★★½
Feel Good Gluten-Free Dumplings
If filling flavor was the only criterion, these would top the list. Unfortunately, the rice wrapper turns slimy and slippery when cooked according to directions. These are much better steamed. 5 pieces have 240 calories, 7 g fat, 700 mg sodium, 10 g protein. $4.49 for 6.3 ounces at Safeway. ★★½ when cooked according to directions
Safeway Select Chicken & Vegetable Potstickers
A sweet note derails an otherwise well-made, tasty dumpling. 6 pieces have 220 calories, 5 g fat, 700 mg sodium, 11 g protein. $6.99 for 26 ounces at Safeway. ★★
Ling Ling Chicken & Vegetable Potstickers
These ubiquitous dumplings are wrapped in thick, tough dough and the filling is bland and ho-hum. 5 pieces have 260 calories, 7 g fat, 600 mg sodium, 12 g protein. $9.99 for 67.2 ounces at Costco. ★½
Crazy Cuizine Chicken Potstickers
These dumplings’ mild, bland flavor is passable, but not memorable. 220 calories, 6 g fat, 790 mg sodium, 13 g protein. $4.69 for 20 ounces at Raley’s. ★
Prime Food Chicken & Cabbage Dumpling with Mushroom
Wicked salt levels and an unwelcome hit of sugar quashes every other flavor in this dumpling. 270 calories, 7 g fat, 600 mg sodium, 14 g protein. $4.99 for 20 ounces at Marina Market. ½ star
Whole Foods Vegetable Potstickers
Oats used as a binder make this promising product go south. 4 pieces have 200 calories, 3.5 g fat, 330 mg sodium, 6 g protein. $2.99 for 8 ounces. ½ star for effort
Day-Lee Pride Chicken Gyoza Potstickers
The minuscule dab of nearly tasteless filling, encased inside thick, flabby dough reminds us of rehydrated chicken. 240 calories, 7 g fat, 580 mg sodium, 14 g protein. $3.69 for 21 ounces at Marina Market. No stars