National Dumpling Day
September 26
About National Dumpling Day
National Dumpling Day celebrates one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods, the humble dumpling. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 26 September. The day honours dumplings in all their forms, from Chinese jiaozi and Japanese gyoza to Polish pierogi and Nepalese momos, encouraging people to cook, share, and enjoy these versatile parcels of dough and filling.
How to Celebrate National Dumpling Day
Dumpling Day is all about getting hands-on and tasting as many varieties as possible. Here are plenty of ways to take part:
- Make dumplings from scratch – Try your hand at folding and pleating your own dumplings. The process is satisfying and surprisingly forgiving for beginners.
- Host a dumpling-making party – Gather friends or family around the table to fill and fold together. Many cultures treat dumpling-making as a social, communal activity.
- Explore a new cuisine – Branch out beyond your usual favourite. Sample Korean mandu, Italian ravioli, Russian pelmeni, or Tibetan momos to appreciate the global diversity.
- Visit a local dim sum restaurant – Order a spread of steamed and fried dumplings and enjoy the traditional dim sum experience with friends.
- Try different cooking methods – Steam, boil, pan-fry, or deep-fry the same recipe to discover how the technique transforms the texture.
- Experiment with fillings – Move beyond pork and cabbage to vegetarian, seafood, or even sweet dessert dumplings filled with fruit or red bean paste.
- Learn the history behind the food – Read about how dumplings developed independently across so many cultures and what they symbolise in each.
- Share your creations online – Post photos of your dumplings and swap recipes with others marking the day.
What is National Dumpling Day?
National Dumpling Day is a food-focused observance dedicated to celebrating dumplings in every shape, filling, and cooking style. It appeals to home cooks, food lovers, and restaurants alike, offering a reason to explore a dish that appears in nearly every cuisine on earth. While it began as a United States observance, its appeal is genuinely global, reflecting the universal popularity of stuffed dough parcels.
When is National Dumpling Day?
National Dumpling Day is held on 26 September every year. In 2026 this falls on a Saturday, making it an ideal weekend opportunity to cook and share dumplings with friends and family. The date is fixed, so it lands on 26 September regardless of the day of the week.
The History of National Dumpling Day
National Dumpling Day is a relatively modern creation. It was established by the TMI Food Group, a New York-based manufacturer of Chinese dumplings, dumpling wrappers, and noodles that trades under the Twin Marquis brand. The company arranged for the day to be recognised on the National Day Calendar in 2015, with the inaugural celebration taking place on 26 September that year.
Although the observance is young, the food it honours is ancient. Dumplings have been enjoyed for more than 2,000 years, with some of the earliest examples traced to China’s Han Dynasty, which ran from 206 BCE to 220 CE. Crucially, dumplings were not invented in a single place. They developed independently in many cuisines around the world, from the manti of the Ottoman Empire to the pierogi of Eastern Europe and the gyoza of Japan, which itself adapted the Chinese jiaozi.
The observance has spread well beyond its American origins. Within a few years, the Australian food press began referring to it as International Dumpling Day, and by the end of the 2010s much of the world was marking the occasion as World Dumpling Day. If you enjoy days devoted to comforting, shareable food, you might also like National Katsu Curry Day, another celebration of a much-loved dish.
Fun Facts About National Dumpling Day
- National Dumpling Day was first celebrated on 26 September 2015, established by the Twin Marquis brand of the TMI Food Group.
- Dumplings have a history stretching back more than 2,000 years, with origins in the Han Dynasty.
- In Chinese tradition, jiaozi are shaped to resemble ancient gold or silver ingots and are eaten at Lunar New Year to symbolise prosperity.
- Almost every cuisine has its own version, including gyoza in Japan, pierogi in Poland, pelmeni in Russia, momos in Nepal and Tibet, and ravioli in Italy.
- The same basic dumpling can be steamed, boiled, pan-fried, or deep-fried, producing entirely different textures.
- The day has grown so popular internationally that it is now widely known as World Dumpling Day in much of the world.
Why National Dumpling Day Matters
National Dumpling Day is more than an excuse to eat well. It celebrates a food that connects cultures across continents, showing how a simple idea of dough wrapped around a filling can take on countless forms. The day also honours the communal tradition of making dumplings together, a practice that brings families and friends around the table and keeps culinary heritage alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Dumpling Day?
National Dumpling Day is an annual food observance celebrating dumplings of every kind, from jiaozi and gyoza to pierogi and momos. It encourages people to cook, sample, and share these versatile parcels of dough and filling.
When is National Dumpling Day in 2026?
National Dumpling Day falls on Saturday, 26 September 2026. The date is fixed each year.
Who created National Dumpling Day?
It was established by the TMI Food Group, a New York-based dumpling and noodle manufacturer trading as Twin Marquis, with the first celebration held on 26 September 2015.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best dumpling photos on social media with #NationalDumplingDay and #NationalDumplingDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to take part!
Related Awareness Days
- National Pancake Day – Celebrated on the very same date, another comforting dish made from simple ingredients.
- National Katsu Curry Day – A celebration of a popular dish that, like dumplings, has crossed cultures and borders.
- International Bacon Day – A September food day for fans of hearty, much-loved flavours.
Links
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