Shuǐjiǎo

Shuǐjiǎo are Chinese dumplings served without broth or soup, filled with various ingredients that are limited only by one's imagination. The boiled dumplings are a staple food of northern China. Some of the most popular ingredients for the filling include shrimp, cucumber, purple cabbage, ground pork, bean sprouts, vermicelli, and rice. Shuǐjiǎo are especially popular during the Lunar New Year, when whole families in northern China prepare them, with some family members rolling out the dumplings, some mixing the ingredients for the filling, and some pinching them into crescent-like shapes. Sometimes, the cooks even hide a lucky coin on the inside of the dumplings for one fortunate consumer who will find it. The dumplings are traditionally served on their own, with some kind of dipping sauce on the side in order to enhance the flavors of the dish.