What is it about Asian food that makes it so irresistible? The flavors are bold, the spices are robust, and there’s just something about all that garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and chili oil that can’t be replicated anywhere else. But who has time to go to a restaurant every time you want to make some Asian-inspired dishes?
Thankfully, grocery stores stock an almost endless variety of pre-made ingredients for home cooking enthusiasts, including wonton wrappers and gyoza wrappers.
If you’ve ever looked at the two packages next to each other and wondered what they have in common, we can guarantee you aren’t alone. Both of these items are used as a wrapper for various Asian dishes (i.e., gyoza and wonton). But what exactly do they both have in common?! Keep reading to find out!
What is a Wonton Wrapper?
Wonton wrappers are a type of dumpling wrapper, which is basically a dough that is formed into small pockets and pleated. They are typically made with wheat flour, eggs, salt, and water, and are often lightly seasoned. Wonton wrappers are a standard ingredient in Chinese cuisine, where they are the basis for making dumplings, buns, and other dishes.
They’re available in packages, both refrigerated and frozen, and can typically be found in any grocery store with a decent Asian food section. Wonton wrappers are ideal for making dumplings, as well as some Chinese baked buns and desserts, such as sesame balls.
Other uses for wonton wrappers include making appetizers like the classic wonton tacos or wonton soup. You can use wonton wrappers to make any filling of your choice, as they are quite versatile.
What is a Gyoza Wrapper?
Gyoza wrappers are a type of Asian dumpling wrapper, and are very similar to wonton wrappers. They are typically made with wheat flour, eggs, water, and salt, though other variations may contain other ingredients.
Gyoza wrappers are almost always made with all-purpose flour, which makes them ideal for those with gluten allergies. They are a very versatile ingredient that can be used to make all sorts of Asian dumplings, such as gyoza, shu mai, and potstickers.
Gyoza wrappers can also be used for making spring rolls, sushi rolls, and even desserts like honeycomb or sesame balls. Gyoza wrappers are made fresh and are often sold refrigerated in packages of 10 to 20. They are available in many supermarkets with a large Asian food section, as well as Asian grocery stores.
Gyoza wrappers are easy to use and are a great option if you are new to making Asian dumplings at home. They are consistent, fairly inexpensive, and are easy to find. Gyoza wrappers are definitely worth trying if you enjoy making dumplings.
How are Wonton and Gyoza Wrappers Different?
We’ve established that both wonton and gyoza wrappers are Asian dumpling wrappers, but what about the two is different? Well, for starters, both are made from different types of dough. Gyoza wrappers are made from all-purpose flour, while wonton wrappers are made from wheat flour.
Additionally, the two are often seasoned differently. While some brands of wonton wrappers do contain seasonings, most gyoza wrappers are seasoned.
Finally, while both types of wrappers are typically round, gyoza wrappers are larger. This is because they are used to make gyoza, which are larger dumplings. As such, if you’re making both gyoza and wonton, you will need a different amount of each.
Which One Should You Use?
Wonton wrappers are definitely the more versatile of the two. This is because gyoza wrappers are specifically designed to make gyoza, so there isn’t much you can do with them outside of that. Wonton wrappers, on the other hand, can be used to make a bunch of different Asian dishes, which is why they are also called all-purpose dumpling wrappers.
They’re an incredibly easy ingredient to work with, and are a great starting point for any home cook who is interested in making Asian dumplings. Gyoza, on the other hand, are just a type of dumpling that is made with a specific wrapper.
While it’s possible to use a wonton wrapper to make gyoza, it may be a bit trickier. And even if you do follow a recipe for gyoza using a wonton wrapper, it won’t be the same as using a gyoza wrapper. That’s why we recommend starting out with wonton wrappers.
Summing up
All in all, there are a few things that distinguish wonton wrappers from gyoza wrappers. For starters, gyoza wrappers are larger than wonton wrappers, which means that you’ll need different amounts depending on what you’re making.
Additionally, gyoza and wonton wrappers are made from different types of dough and are often seasoned differently. Finally, while both are used to make dumplings, you can do more with wonton wrappers than you can with gyoza wrappers. This is because gyoza wrappers are just designed to make gyoza, whereas wonton wrappers are all-purpose dumpling wrappers.