Dumplings fit into the category of dim sum, which is a type of Chinese cuisine that is prepared as bite-sized portions cooked in a steamer and served onto small plates.
My sister and I saw the bamboo steam at the Asian market and both said “Overcooked!” so we each bought one to try it out just like the game.
Up to this point in my life, now an adult gamer, inspired by recipes from video games, I had no idea how fun and easy it was to use a bamboo steamer much less make dumplings or even pot stickers, fish, or steamed vegetables for that matter!
So here is another video game inspired recipe, I hope you enjoy!

Nintendo Game Inspiration: Dumplings from Overcooked! | Erica Robbin
Dumplings are so easy to make!
So much easier than I ever thought to make!
Credit: ericarobbin.com
Ingredients
- NINTENDO GAME INSPIRATION: DUMPLINGS FROM OVERCOOKED!:
- A plate
- 1-2 lbs meat or vegetables of choice such as beef, shrimp, pork, fish, or shiitake mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, chopped (I used cooked pork belly)
- 1-2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 2-4 tablespoons scallions, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1-2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dumpling wrappers (I made homemade ones using this recipe for Dumpling Wrappers)
Directions
- NINTENDO GAME INSPIRATION: DUMPLINGS FROM OVERCOOKED!:
- Soak your steamer a few hours or overnight.
- Mix meat and vegetables of choice, coat them with the flour (mixer!).
- Add scallions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper.
- Add a dollop of filling onto dough wraps and shape.
- Place parchment/lettuce/bok choy/cabbage lined bamboo steamer in shallow skillet filled with water to about 1-2″ high (don’t allow water to touch food).
- Place dumplings onto lined steamer, cover, and bring to a boil.
- Cook by steaming about 10-15 minutes.
- Plate the dumplings.
- Take the plate to the service delivery window on time, you want a good tip from your customers!

Let me know if you have ever tried making these! You can also make pot stickers and steam any fish or plain vegetables in much the same way. These were tasty, next time I’ll make my dumpling dough much much thinner though!








Here is a how to basic video about using a bamboo steamer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACkyk7LmzvM
And here are 10 Ways to Fold Dumplings.
I also didn’t realize that Simply Ming from back in the 90s Food Network era has a YouTube channel as well, so here is his recipe for pot stickers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27jeVa6ZJHc
We were reminded of the days of Yan Can Cook and his motto “If Yan can cook, so can you!” Here is his video, so much joy in cooking!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBKLwNSyvoI
