A Wonton Primer: Enjoying Wontons Throughout History

Perhaps one of the most beloved dishes in Chinese cuisine is wonton soup. This wonton dish is well known and loved by many, and has come in many variations depending on where you go in Asia. ginger. Wonton is usually served in a hot bowl of soup and paired with cooked wonton noodles. Arrange the ingredients in the bowl: soup spoon at the bottom, then wontons, garnish (if available – usually sprinkled with chopped scallions), noodles, and then more soup on top. The reason for this particular order in the plating process is to not let the noodles overcook so that it becomes a soggy mess. In some places, you can order your wonton soup with a plate of wontons and a plate of noodles and soup on the side. Wonton Noodle Soup by Tsim Chai Noodle Restaurant. | Photo: Dee de los Santos What distinguishes wonton from other types of dumplings is the thin coating. Most dumplings are usually served with a thicker wrapper. Wonton is native to China, with evidence of its existence going back to the Qing Dynasty (1644). Wonton soup was enjoyed by wealthy, upper-class families, but after World War II, it became more popular. As the economy improved after the war, this dish moved to Hong Kong, where many street stalls opened to serve the dish to the working class. Due to its popularity, some variations of wonton include medicinal ingredients as a way to cater to those who may not like the strong flavor of the drug. In Cantonese, ‘wonton’ roughly translates to ‘clouds’ – wontons look like clouds floating in soup. taste of homes in their respective Chinatowns. To make Chinese food more accessible to Americans, Chinese chefs have created fusion dishes that feel more familiar and acceptable. This resulted in a repeat that included Crab Rangoon and Wonton tartlets. Read more: Where to bet on logan vs floyd Crab rangoon, also known as fried wontons with cream cheese and crab filling, became popular in the ’50s. In recent years wonton sandwiches have become more popular. should be popular again – toasted wonton sandwiches containing almost anything including bread, caviar or even goat cheese with herbs. Crispy Wonton served with Sweet and Sour Sauce from Tsim Chai Noodle & Restaurant. | Although these two dishes are considered Westernized Chinese food, you will never find these types of wonton on an authentic Chinese restaurant menu. The closest you’ll get to something that’s been Westernized is deep-fried wontons. These wontons are usually served with a sweet and sour sauce or red vinegar. Another popular method for serving wonton is in chili sauce. These are popular in Hong Kong-style cafes and Taiwanese restaurants. Wonton chili sauce from Tsim Chai Noodles. | Photo: Dee de los Santos In Richmond along the Dumplings Trail, there are many places to enjoy a bowl of wonton soup. Two places to note are Tsim Chai Restaurant & Noodles (Westminster Highway 8251) and Vegetarian Restaurant 4 Stones (7771 Westminster Highway) Read more: Where to find prostitutes in san diegoTsim Chai is a busy restaurant located in a strip mall just a few blocks northeast of the Brighouse Canada Line stop. While they have an extensive menu of Chinese dishes, their wonton is one of the most popular items on their menu. Tsim Chai serves bowls of traditional wonton noodles, chili wontons and even deep-fried wontons. Their wontons are bigger than most places and have a good taste to them. Wonton Soup at 4 Stones Vegetarian Cuisine. | Photo: Dee de los Santos A little further on Westminster Highway is 4 Stones Vegetarian – although not a typical place to enjoy wonton as it is a vegetarian restaurant, it is the originality and taste. of vegetarian wontons that made them famous. You’d be hard-pressed to find an all-vegetarian Chinese restaurant, but 4 Stones is just that. They are a small, hole-in-the-wall eatery that can get pretty busy depending on the time of day. With over 800 restaurants in Richmond, there’s plenty to explore. With the Dumplings Trail, Tourism Richmond has helped narrow down some of the great options for dumplings including wontons. Recently, a self-guided tour was introduced on Radio show SoCal Restaurant – a program dedicated to the expansion of culinary knowledge. What is your favorite place to enjoy wontons? Read more: Neo Relic Farm – How to find Neo Altar | Top Q&A