Hello friends,
Today (October 6, 2025) is the Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival in China and throughout Asia. Given my love for this part of the world, it was only natural for me to celebrate it.
So, I’m suggesting a delicious Chinese dumpling and red curry soup for the occasion!
The Moon Festival
Before diving into the details of this recipe for Chinese dumpling soup with red curry, let me share a bit about this particularly significant festival in China…
The Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese) is one of the most important traditional celebrations in China (second only to the Chinese New Year) and in several Asian countries, including Vietnam, Korea, and Singapore. It occurs on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, typically in September or October, when the moon is full and shines particularly bright.
Originally, this festival was linked to agricultural rituals: people gave thanks to the moon for bountiful harvests and prayed for prosperity and family unity. It is also associated with legends, notably that of Chang’e, the Moon goddess, who is a beloved figure in Chinese culture.
Traditions include appreciating the full moon, a symbol of reunion and harmony, and sharing mooncakes, round or square pastries filled with bean paste, lotus seed, or salted egg yolk. Colorful lanterns illuminate the streets, creating a festive and poetic atmosphere.
Today, the Moon Festival remains a wonderful moment of togetherness, where families and friends come together to celebrate unity, gratitude, and the beauty of nature. It’s a bit of Chinese poetry that you can experience through this celebration!
The Dumpling Soup
In China, dumpling soup is a cherished part of culinary and family culture. Jiaozi (the Chinese word for dumplings) are much more than just a dish: they symbolize prosperity and unity. During celebrations, such as the Chinese New Year or the Moon Festival, families gather to prepare them together, thus continuing a ritual of sharing and togetherness.
Served in a hot broth, jiaozi in soup embody warmth and comfort, especially during winter. Their shape, reminiscent of small gold ingots, is associated with wealth and luck, enhancing their symbolic significance.
It is also a beloved everyday dish enjoyed in many regions of China, particularly in the north. When I lived in Beijing, I had the chance to savor numerous variations of broths enriched with dumplings.
More broadly in Asia…
Similar dishes are also found in Korea and Japan, particularly in gyoza soups. Often enjoyed pan-fried with a bit of oil, gyoza reveal their finesse and flavors when they float in a savory broth!
Let’s return to my recipe for Chinese dumpling soup with red curry!
We’re working with a very simple recipe that doesn’t require many utensils.
Depending on the season, you can customize the vegetable selection. Here, I’ve chosen root vegetables (carrots and turnips), but you could also use butternut squash, zucchini, potatoes, or Napa cabbage! It really depends on your preferences and the time of year. It would indeed be a shame to reserve this soup for just the Mid-Autumn Festival! 😉
I’m also offering a tasty, mildly spicy version. If you prefer something spicier—or if you’d like it milder—just adjust the amount of red curry to your liking.
Of course, you can make your own dumplings or gyoza, or simply buy them ready-made.
My Chinese dumpling and red curry soup, a versatile recipe
You can see that this recipe is customizable. You can easily make it vegetarian (and even vegan) by using vegetable dumplings or gyoza.
If you prefer it with meat, chicken is an excellent choice, which is what I’ve done here. However, pork or beef dumplings are also highly appreciated.
Feel free to share your delicious variations in the comments section of this article.
And for more ideas, check out my tom yum kai soup with coconut milk or my Thai vegetable broth.
The Necessary Utensils:
A large frying pan or sauté pan,
A cutting board,
A good paring knife,
A wooden spatula,
And a small saucepan.
Here you go, now you know everything! All that’s left is to put on the apron and prepare a delicious Chinese dumpling soup with red curry!
The recipe awaits you, Chef!
Chinese Ravioli Soup with Red Curry
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Loading...Ingredients
- 1/2 chicken (or vegetable) stock cube
- 1/2 liter of water
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (sunflower or rapeseed)
- 2 cm of ginger
- 1 teaspoon of red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon of sweet (or salty) soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of peanut butter
- 1 lemongrass stalk
- 2 carrots
- 1 turnip
- 200 ml of coconut milk
- 15 Chinese dumplings
- 1/2 lime
- A few leaves of fresh coriander
- 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds (golden or black)
Instructions
Make a broth by mixing the half broth cube with the boiling water. Set aside.
Put the oil, grated ginger, curry paste, soy sauce, tomato paste, and peanut butter in the pan. Mix.
Heat over medium/high heat for 2 minutes.
Add the vegetables cut into small cubes.
Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the broth and coconut milk. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Finally, add the dumplings and cook for 4-5 minutes covered.
Serve with fresh coriander, sesame seeds, and lime juice.
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