Let’s Make Dumplings!: A Comic Book Cookbook

In this fetching follow-up to the illustrated cookbook Let’s Make Ramen, chef Amano and comic artist Becan tackle the art of dumpling-making. As they note in their genial introduction, filled doughy treats appear in cuisines across the planet (think the Polish pierogi or Mexican tamales), but here they dial in on Asian choices, such as Cantonese shumai, Tibetan momos, and Korean mandu. Solid recipes (calling for either handmade and store-bought wrappers) and entertaining stories—including one about a forgetful cook who accidentally invented pot stickers—showcase the authors’ detailed yet playful approach to their craft. They even offer a chapter of their own “riffs,” featuring a Chinese takeout–inspired sesame chicken dumpling and breakfast baozi filled with bacon and scrambled eggs. Ending on a sweet note, Malaysian buns are offered with coconut jam filling, while Cambodian rice dumplings get a fragrant finish from steamed banana leaves. Thorough instructions combine the quirky and the functional (including how to freeze dumplings, since “you may as well go big and stock for your future self”), while the primer on folding techniques for seven different shapes is surprisingly simple. Those previously too intimidated to attempt dumplings at home owe it to themselves to pick up this stellar guide. (June)