Wontons are a central dish in Chinese cuisine, which is good news for you if you enjoy this doughy food. When you visit a Chinese eatery, regardless of whether it's a buffet or has a menu off which you can order, there's a good chance that you'll see at least a few wonton dishes. In addition to the versatility of wontons, one of the things that you'll enjoy is how different Asian eateries offer slightly different variations of the same dishes. This can mean that a standard wonton dish at some restaurant tastes different than the same dish at another eatery — which is something that can enrich the dining experience. Here are some different ways to enjoy wontons at a Chinese restaurant.
Wonton Soup
Wonton soup is arguably the most popular way to enjoy wontons, and is a fixture on Chinese restaurants whether you're ordering from a tiny take-out establishment or dining at a high-end eatery. This comforting soup often has a base of chicken broth, with a number of wontons that are filled with a mixture that can include pork, green onions, and spices. At some eateries, the soup mainly consists of the broth and wontons. In other restaurants, there are such veggies as snow peas and bok choy in the broth, too.
Fried And Stuffed Wontons
A completely different way that you'll find wontons on the menu of a local Chinese restaurant is stuffed and fried. This application is common at buffets, although you may find it listed on other establishments' menus, too. Often, you'll find wontons that are stuffed with cream cheese and served piping hot. While you'll need to take care to allow the wontons and their hot filling to cool off for a moment, you'll likely enjoy the gooey texture of each bite.
Fried Strips
Some Chinese establishments have wontons that are fried, but not stuffed with anything. Instead, the wonton dough is cut into strips and fried, and then served in a basket — often along your choice of dip. The concept of a fried food and a dip translates across many cultures. In Mexican cuisine, corn chips and salsa are the equivalent of this dish. Fried wonton strips can be a good choice as an appetizer, and are ideal to order to share with those at your table. Be sure to scour your local Chinese restaurant's menu for other wonton dishes, as there may be other options to try.
For more information, contact a Chinese restaurant in your area.