Beef and pork dumplings at Mandu. Photo by Plantains and Kimchi.

Dish of the Week: Mandu
Where: Adam Express, Mandu

When everything outside is squishy and soggy from a stretch of gloomy weather, there’s nothing like tucking into a plate of scalding hot and crisp mandu. It seems like every country has their take on the dumpling, and mandu are Korea’s answer to the genre of filled pasta. Steamed or fried, stuffed with meat, veggies or seafood, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

Mandu aren’t too different from their Chinese (potstickers) and Japanese (gyoza) counterparts. A few twists include fillings like kimchi and cellophane noodles, as well as a greater variety of shapes, from a round, tortellini-type ball to a flat, rectangular envelope. Mostly though, I love how bubbly and crunchy the mandu skins get when pan-fried; it’s superior to anything I’ve gotten when ordering delicate gyoza or making my own jiaozi at home.

The aptly-named Mandu in Dupont Circle and City Vista offer $3 plates of mandu during happy hour. Pair them with one of their froofy (but delicious — try the aloe) sojutinis while you wait out the rain. For something more casual, pick up an order of mandu from Adam Express, where they deep fry the dumplings whole.

Got a favorite place to get your mandu fix? Let us know in the comments.

Small Bites

H Street, Bake Street
H Street Bakes will be hosting their monthly pop-up bake sale this Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Pug. Pick up some artisan breads and croissants from biscuit or get your buzz going early with a liquor-soaked Crunkcake.

Sneak Peek at Pearl Dive
Logan Circle’s newest restaurant and bar pair, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and Black Jack, is on the verge of being ready for prime time. You can get a first look at their pre-opening charity bash on Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the new Washington Nationals Care Complex at Children’s National Medical Center.

A Stomping Good Time
If you’ve ever wanted to re-enact that episode of I Love Lucy with the grape stomping, Café du Parc has you covered. The restaurant will be hosting their annual Vendanges celebration in the Williard InterContinental courtyard on September 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In addition to grape stomping, there will be French wine, beer, charcuterie, crepes and live music. Tickets are $25 at the door and get you four food or drink items.