Oh-hora Mandu (Oh-la Mandu)
Perfect for a Late-Night Snack! ‘Oh-hora Mandu’ Recipe from Happy Together’s Night Restaurant
Dumplings are always a great emergency food stash in the freezer! When you crave something late at night, heating them up or pan-frying them is delicious. Remember the popular ‘Happy Together Night Restaurant’ segment that featured various dorm-cooking recipes using frozen dumplings? I personally loved Ji Sung’s ‘Mandu-bap’ (dumpling rice), and I was also intrigued by Seo Ha-jun’s ‘Oh-hora Mandu’ recipe, which I’ll share today. Back then, Seo Ha-jun, who was popular from the drama ‘Aurora Princess,’ apparently mashed his dumplings to prevent them from bursting, mixed them with ketchup and pizza cheese, and microwaved them. The taste is somewhat like a ‘dumpling gratin,’ but it was quite good. Personally, I found the kimchi dumpling version tastier than the meat dumpling one.
Ingredients- 300g frozen dumplings
- 3 Tbsp ketchup
- 80g pizza cheese
- A pinch of parsley
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
I used kimchi dumplings I had at home. I prepared 6 small-sized kimchi dumplings and 3 tablespoons of ‘Chumak’ ketchup in chili flavor. The chili-flavored ketchup adds a nice spicy and sweet kick, making it even more delicious.
Step 2
Microwave the frozen dumplings for about 2 minutes to thaw them. This process helps to make the dumpling filling moist and tender, which makes them easier to cook.
Step 3
Once thawed, cut the dumplings into bite-sized pieces. Cutting them into 2-3 pieces each, rather than keeping them too large, allows the ketchup and cheese to blend well.
Step 4
Add 3 tablespoons of ketchup to the cut dumplings. If you really enjoy ketchup, feel free to add more to your preference. The sweet and tangy flavor of ketchup surprisingly pairs well with dumplings.
Step 5
Gently mix the dumplings with the ketchup, ensuring they are evenly coated. Toss them lightly so that each piece of dumpling is well-covered with the sauce.
Step 6
Lightly grease the microwave or oven-safe dish with a little oil to prevent the food from sticking. A small amount of cooking oil or butter will make cleanup easier and help prevent the dumplings from burning.
Step 7
Arrange the ketchup-coated dumplings nicely in the greased dish.
Step 8
Generously sprinkle pizza cheese over the dumplings. As the cheese melts, it will envelop the dumplings, creating a richer flavor. Finally, sprinkle a little dried parsley for a nice visual appeal and an added aromatic touch.
Step 9
If using an oven, bake at 200°C (392°F) for 8-9 minutes, or until the pizza cheese is golden and melted. If using a microwave, cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and slightly browned. Be careful when removing it as it will be hot!
