Translation guide
The English word 'dumpling' covers a wide range of filled or unfilled dough-based foods. In Japanese, there is no single equivalent; the best translation depends on the shape, filling, cooking method, and cultural context. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese word for the dumpling you have in mind.
A thin wheat wrapper filled with ground meat and vegetables, pan-fried and often steamed, served with a dipping sauce.
The standard Japanese word for gyoza, typically pan-fried (yaki-gyoza). Also used for boiled (sui-gyoza) or deep-fried (age-gyoza) versions.
Let's make gyoza tonight.
The pan-fried gyoza at this restaurant are the best.
Boiled wheat-flour dumplings with a thicker, chewier wrapper, often served in soup or with a dipping sauce.
Boiled dumplings, often served in a light broth or with a dipping sauce. The wrapper is slightly thicker than pan-fried gyoza.
I like the chewy texture of boiled dumplings.
Small boiled dumplings with a very thin square wrapper, often in soup.
Wontons, usually boiled and served in a clear broth. The wrapper is thinner and more slippery than gyoza.
I'll have wonton soup, please.
A soft, fluffy steamed bun with a savory or sweet filling.
A deep-fried or baked bun with curry filling, often with a bread-like or pastry dough.
Curry bread: a deep-fried dough filled with Japanese curry. Not a traditional dumpling, but sometimes called a 'dumpling' in English.
Freshly baked curry bread is the best.
Small round dumplings made from rice flour, often served on skewers or in sweet soup.
Dango: chewy rice-flour dumplings, typically skewered and served with sweet soy glaze or red bean paste.
Let's bring dango to the cherry blossom viewing.
Shiratama: small, plain rice-flour dumplings often served in sweet red bean soup or with fruit.
Boiled or steamed dumplings like pierogi, pelmeni, or knödel, often filled with potato, cheese, or meat.
Piroshki: Russian-style baked or fried buns with various fillings. Often used generically for Eastern European filled dumplings.
I ate piroshki at a Russian restaurant.
Pelmeni: Russian boiled dumplings filled with minced meat, similar to tortellini.
Pelmeni are eaten with sour cream.
When the exact type is unclear, or you want a broad term for a filled dough parcel.
If you don't know the specific name, describe it: '肉が入った蒸しパン' (steamed bun with meat), '茹でた小麦粉の皮の包み' (boiled wheat-flour wrapped parcel).
What is this dish called? It's like a steamed bun with meat inside.
The loanword 'dumpling' is sometimes used in Japanese, but it's not widely understood and may refer specifically to Western-style dumplings. Use with caution.
Many Japanese people may not know this word; it's safer to use a specific Japanese term.
Never assume 'dumpling' equals one Japanese word. Always consider the dough, filling, and cooking method. Using 餃子 for a Polish pierogi will cause confusion.
If you're unsure of the exact name, describe the dumpling: '小麦粉の皮で包んだ料理' (dish wrapped in wheat-flour skin) plus the filling and cooking method.
I bought a steamed bun at the convenience store.
白玉あんみつが好きです。
I like shiratama with sweet bean paste and fruit.
Do you know what a dumpling is?