Culture & Lifestyle • Food

Wonton

Wonton is a type of Chinese dumpling made from thin dough wrappers filled with ingredients such as meat, seafood, or vegetables.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Wonton is a type of Chinese dumpling made from thin dough wrappers filled with ingredients such as meat, seafood, or vegetables. It is commonly boiled and served in soup, but it can also be steamed or fried. The term is used across Chinese cuisines and is especially associated with wonton soup.

Etymology

The English word *wonton* comes from Cantonese, and related spellings such as *wantan* and *won ton* are also used. Dictionary sources identify it as a transliteration from Chinese culinary terminology.

Preparation and ingredients

Wontons are usually made with a thin dough wrapper filled with savoury ingredients such as meat, seafood, or vegetables. The wrapper is folded around the filling and then cooked by boiling, steaming, or frying.

Culinary use

Wontons are eaten in several forms, including in clear soup, as part of dim sum, or fried as a snack or side dish. Wonton soup is one of the best-known dishes made with them.

Regional and cultural context

Wontons are found in multiple regional Chinese cuisines and have also become common in Chinese restaurants internationally. English-language dictionaries describe them as a standard Chinese food item rather than a single fixed recipe.

Key facts

Wontons are small dumplings made with a thin wrapper and a savoury filling.
They are commonly associated with Chinese cuisine and appear in many regional variations.
Wontons are often boiled in broth and served as wonton soup.
They may also be steamed or fried depending on the dish.
Typical fillings include pork, shrimp, and vegetables.

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Canadian context

Wontons are widely available in Canadian Chinese restaurants and grocery stores, and the term is recorded in Quebec French-language terminology as an established culinary borrowing.

Frequently asked questions

What is a wonton?

A wonton is a small Chinese dumpling made with a thin wrapper and a savoury filling, often served in soup.

What are wontons usually filled with?

Common fillings include pork, shrimp, seafood, and vegetables, though recipes vary by region and cook.

How are wontons cooked?

They are typically boiled, but they can also be steamed or fried.

What is wonton soup?

Wonton soup is a dish in which wontons are served in a broth, usually a clear soup.

Is a wonton the same as a dumpling?

A wonton is a type of dumpling, but it has its own style of wrapper, folding, and common serving methods.

References

Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wonton
Supports: Definition of wonton as a small dumpling filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables and usually served boiled in soup or fried.
Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/wonton
Supports: Definition of wonton as a type of dumpling commonly associated with Chinese dishes, especially soup.
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/wonton
Supports: Definition, Chinese-cooking context, and word origin from Cantonese.
Office québécois de la langue française — https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/fiche-gdt/fiche/26557347/wonton
Supports: French-language Canadian terminology, origin from Cantonese, and use in Quebec.
Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/wonton
Supports: Definition of wonton as a Chinese food made of dough filled with meat or vegetables and often served boiled in soup.