From realsimple.com
We have a feeling this one won’t stay in stock for long
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Trader Joe’s new Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers are vegan, ready in 6 to 8 minutes, and cost $3.49 per bag.
Early reviews praise their hearty texture and spicy flavour, though shoppers are divided on the heat level.
Pan-fry them until crisp, then pair with rice, vegetables, tofu, or broth for a complete meal.
- Credit: San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers / Getty Images
When you’ve made the choice to go vegan, there are certain foods you accept you probably won’t be eating as often. Frozen potstickers, which are typically filled with pork or chicken, may be one of them. But Trader Joe’s has a new appetizer that actually tastes like something you’d want to eat over and over, vegan or not. The Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers pair a classic dumpling with the tangy, savoury kick of kimchi. More importantly, they’re 100% plant-based, ready in under 10 minutes, and an easy starting point for a full, satisfying meal.
We scrolled through the social chatter to see what fans are saying—the good and the bad—and picked up plenty of ideas along the way. Here’s what’s actually in the potstickers, the best way to cook them, and a few complete meal ideas that go beyond a side of coconut aminos.
What’s in the Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers?
Mandu are Korea’s dumplings—like Chinese jiaozi and Japanese gyoza—and they come in all sorts of shapes and savoury fillings. Trader Joe’s version takes minutes to cook (6 to 8 minutes total) and makes a random Tuesday night dinner feel significantly more exciting.
The potstickers have a flat, almost envelope-like shape that gives them plenty of surface area to brown evenly in the pan. Inside, there’s a completely plant-based filling of spicy kimchi and chewy glass noodles. More specifically, you’ll find napa cabbage, kimchi seasoned with dried red pepper, garlic, ginger, and green onion, plus chewy glass noodles made from sweet potato starch. Textured soy protein adds a little extra substance and a meatier texture to the filling, while chives, radish, and black pepper round out the umami flavour.
The combination of ingredients has more spice than you might expect, and a surprisingly hearty texture. In fact, some commenters on Reddit thought they saw and even tasted chunks of chicken. To clear up the confusion, one user reassured, “It had textured soy protein in it, so it’s not chicken.”1
Each bag costs $3.49 and includes approximately 18 dumplings, with three mandu counting as one serving. That gives you about six servings per bag, but a few people on Reddit complained that the serving size was too small. Even so, it’s easy enough to include a few extra so you can plan a more substantial meal. At less than 20 cents per dumpling, there’s still plenty of room to load up your plate without blowing your grocery budget.
Why Shoppers Already Love Them
We reviewed several social channels to see what early eaters were saying. Popular YouTuber @veganhacks was especially impressed, noting that kimchi is often made with fish sauce and isn’t always vegan-friendly. After trying Trader Joe’s plant-based version, he declared, “These are easily one of the best new Trader Joe’s items I’ve tried in a long time,” and gave the potstickers a perfect 10 out of 10. He also warned that they pack some real heat, rating the spice level as a seven out of 10 in the video’s comment thread.
Redditors seemed to agree on one thing: Don’t underestimate the spice level. “These are spicy! In a good way, I just didn’t expect that level of spiciness. Pan-fried and dipped in soy sauce—yum!” one commenter shared. Another was equally enthusiastic about both the heat and the texture, writing, “Love them! Spicy! Nice texture outside and in.” Yet another confirmed that these are better (and less mushy) than the Bibigo brand.
For some TJ’s shoppers, one serving apparently wasn’t enough. “They’re amazing! Ate them the last two nights. Yum. Dipped them in Bragg’s Liquid Aminos,” another fan raved. Beyond the glowing reviews, there’s a clear takeaway here: These mandu have enough spicy flavour to be craveable, but a salty, savoury dipping sauce can help counteract the heat.
Of course, not every review was as positive, and the spice level was surprisingly divisive. “I have a fairly high spice tolerance, and all I could taste was black pepper,” one disappointed Redditor said. Another found them “moderately spicy” but admitted, “They are all right. I really prefer the gyoza personally.”
Perhaps most confusingly, one Redditor had the exact opposite experience from many other reviewers: “I’m so surprised by everyone saying they’re spicy; I just made them and was disappointed by the total lack of spice.” In other words, your mileage may seriously vary when it comes to the heat.
Creative Ways to Make Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers Into a Full Meal
Before you turn these mandu into full meals, it helps to get the cooking method right. One Redditor recommended adding a little cooking oil and a small amount of water to a frying pan, then covering it and cooking the mandu over medium heat. The idea is to steam and crisp the dumplings as the water evaporates. “I check after a few minutes and continue until they’re browned,” the commenter explained, recommending a nonstick pan with a clear lid to make the process even easier. Don’t forget to flip the mandu so both sides have a chance to brown.
If your dumplings tend to stick and tear, the same Redditor had a few fixes for that, too. “Try lowering your heat a touch and using a little more oil,” they suggested. You can also gently move the mandu around every so often as they brown, which may help keep the delicate skins from sticking to the pan and ripping. Once they’re golden and crisp, you’re ready to turn them into something more substantial.
Of course, pan-frying isn’t your only option. The YouTuber, @veganhacks, also pressed the mandu in a mini waffle maker for an extra-crispy finish with plenty of browned edges. It’s not the traditional route, but it’s certainly a fun way to try these potstickers.
If you then want to turn a few mandu into a complete dinner, here are a few easy pairings that include more protein and fibre:
- Serve with brown rice and stir-fried vegetables for an easy weeknight bowl.
- Add edamame, cucumber, and shredded carrots for a quick mandu salad.
- Pair with tofu and roasted broccoli for a simple plant-based dinner.
- Drop them into a vegetable broth with bok choy and mushrooms for a soothing dumpling soup.
Whether you find the Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers pleasantly spicy or surprisingly mild, these vegan bites are still one of Trader Joe’s more interesting freezer launches of late. For $3.49 a bag, they’re certainly worth trying at least once—just don’t forget the dipping sauce.
https://www.realsimple.com/trader-joes-shoppers-loving-new-heat-and-eat-vegan-dinner-12012129
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