wonton
Definition
Noun: 1. A type of small, filled Chinese dumpling, typically made with a thin wheat wrapper and containing a seasoned filling, most commonly minced pork. These dumplings are often served boiled in a clear broth soup. 2. A soup dish featuring these dumplings as the primary ingredient.
Usage
The word "wonton" is used to refer to both the individual dumpling itself and the soup dish containing them. It is a countable noun when referring to individual dumplings (e.g., six wontons) and can be uncountable when referring to the dish or concept (e.g., a bowl of wonton).
Examples
- As a dumpling: "The chef carefully folded each wonton by hand."
- As a soup dish: "For lunch, I ordered wonton soup."
- Countable usage: "She ate ten wontons."
- Uncountable/Dish usage: "This restaurant makes the best wonton in the city."
Advanced Usage
- "Wonton wrapper": Refers to the thin, square sheets of dough made from flour, egg, and water, used to make the dumplings. These can be purchased separately to make wontons at home.
- The term is sometimes used more broadly in culinary contexts to describe dishes or cooking styles that incorporate these dumplings, such as "wonton noodles" (noodle soup with wontons) or "fried wonton" (a crispy appetizer version).
Variants and Related Words
- Won ton: An alternative, less common spelling.
- Wonton soup: The full name for the soup dish, often used interchangeably with "wonton" when context is clear.
- Dumpling: A general term for a broad category of filled dough dishes, of which the wonton is a specific type.
Synonyms
- Dumpling (general term)
- Ravioli (an Italian pasta dish with a conceptually similar structure of filled dough, though different in ingredients and preparation)
Related Phrases/Idioms
- "Like a wonton in soup": An informal, non-standard simile sometimes used to describe something that is submerged, floating, or bobbing gently in a liquid. (e.g., )
Noun
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a soup with won ton dumplings
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a Chinese dumpling filled with spiced minced pork; usually served in soup
