It’s WORLD DUMPLING DAY!!!

And yes, this deserves 3 exclamation marks. 

Can’t think of a better celebration to end a week. September 26 is a day set aside to honour the humble yet noble dumpling and all its wonderous incarnations. If there is one thing the stamp world does well, it’s food stamps. Mind you, they’ve let me down by not having a stamp dedicated to World Dumpling Day. We’ll have to content ourselves with individual offerings from around the world. Check these out and go find a dumpling restaurant to enjoy. 

Iron Pot Dumplings
From Japan Post’s first Delicious Japan series – Fukuoka
Designed by Yoshikawa Ayumi (吉川 亜有美)

 

Kibbeh
This wonderful dish was part of Lebanon’s entry into the delicious Euromed 2020 : Traditional Gastronomy series
That series created a lot of mouth watering stamps

This will be controversial to some, enlightening to others. Is a dumpling steamed? Boiled? Dare we fry it or bake it? What defines a dumpling depends very much on which culture is making them. They are the ultimate comfort food that can be found on all continents.

Manti
Uzbekistan’s 2021 issue was part of their Traditional Cuisine set
Designed by Zakirova Kh 

 

Kueh Tutu
From SIngapore’s 2012 Local Tea Time Snacks series
Designed by Sherman Lim

China is credited with creating dumplings as a hardship food that sustained a starving population.

The invention of dumplings is often credited to Zhang Zhongjing, a Chinese medicine practitioner from the Eastern Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). According to legend, during a harsh winter, many people suffered from the cold. To combat this, Zhongjing prepared a mixture of mutton, herbs, and chilis, wrapping them in dough and steaming them to provide warmth and nourishment. National Dumpling Day 2024: More Than Momos, Know About 8 Unique Dumplings From Around The World You Should | Food News – Times Now

 

Aeroplane Olive, Siu Mai and Stinky Tofu
Of course the lovely siu mai in the upper right is our focus, but the entire stamp is wonderful.
From Hong Kong’s 2022 Traditional Snacks of Hong Kong (series 2)
Designed by Raymond Wong and Shirman Lai

But, as the article points out, dumplings pop up in ancient cuisine around the world independently. Perhaps its because of the simplicity of the ingredients and the way they make food go further. They are versatile and lend themselves to innovation.

There are multiple points of origin for dumplings, beyond the Chinese type. They appear in the Ancient Roman Cookbook Apicius. Although dumplings existed in various forms for centuries, they did not receive their name until the 17th century. The term “dumpling” first appeared in an English text from 1600, possibly of German origin. While Zhang Zhongjing initially crafted dumplings to help people endure harsh winters, other cultures developed them for different purposes, such as to preserve meat or to make use of excess grains. [ibid]

Cepelinai (Stuffed Potato Dumplings)
Lithuania 2025’s Lithuanian Culinary Heritage set
Designed by Daria Podluzhna

 

Bhog Prasad – Modak
India’s Cuisine released in 2017 
and designed by Brahma Prakash

 

Preparing Banku
Ghana 1981
This stamp was issued for World Food Day

Can we eat our way around the world for World Dumpling Day?

The Tasting Table lists 50 types from around the world, and they are only scratching the surface. They also offer a definition of what makes a dumpling:

What is the definition of a dumpling? The image that comes to your mind may be of dim sum and baskets of shumai, but don’t restrict yourself to Chinese dumplings, as delectable as they are. There are many types of dumplings around the world, utilizing different shapes, sizes, and techniques on all continents. In fact, most cultures have some form of dumpling that serves as a staple in their cuisine.
stampsSo again, we ask: What is the definition of a dumpling? A dumpling usually entails a pocket of dough stuffed with a filling — but then, how do you explain such wonderful dumplings as dango or matzo balls? To fully answer this question, we created this list of dumplings. Its vast variety and deliciousness — encompassing all sorts of dumplings from all reaches of the world — are for you to explore. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of what dumplings are … and you’ll probably be ready to eat a whole plate of them.
Read More: https://www.tastingtable.com/1197662/types-of-dumplings-explained/

The page is essential reading for any fan of dumplings.

Empanadas – Cebolla de Verdeo
Argentina 2003
Part of their Argentine Food set

 

Ravioli and Cappelletti
San Marino issued these tasty treats in 2003 as part of 
their multi stamp Gastronomy Specialities set.
Designers Franco Filanci and Paolo Candelari created 
an outstanding 16 stamp issue 

 

If you are looking for an A to Z listing (though not complete), Wikipedia has a good list that could use some input.  List of dumplings – Wikipedia. Alas they leave off Maple Dumplings. Then again, so does Canada Post.  Oh the tragedy.  Maybe we need a World Dumpling Day database?

If you are in Toronto, stop in at Mother Dumplings for a heart stopping array of well.. dumplings. Or, if you are in time, reserve your ticket for the  KONG TOURISM BOARD CELEBRATES WORLD DUMPLING DAY. They are giving away 2,000 dumplings today. So, if you are looking for entertainment, just pop down and watch the crowds grow. Dumplings are serious business here in Toronto! As they should be everywhere. 

Last year’s SOD featured Hungarian composer and pianist Béla Bartók – food for the soul