If there is one recipe I always felt like I could never quite replicate from my parents, it is this dumpling dipping sauce. It is incredibly simple, yet surprisingly delicate. A perfect balance of Chinese black vinegar and soy sauce, brought together by freshly smashed garlic and a sprinkle of cilantro, this sauce has been passed down in my family for generations to enjoy hoemade dumplings with. Everyone knows how to make it, but no one has ever written down the recipe.

Until now.

A small dish of dumpling dipping sauce with garlic cilantro soy sauce, black vinegar, sesame oil on a plate along with rice paper dumplings that appear to be crispy golden brown on the outside.

After years of trying to recreate that familiar taste, I finally got the secret from my parents.

No more gatekeeping. It’s time for you to try the dumpling sauce that has been on our family table for as long as I can remember.

The Secret to the Best Chinese Dumpling Sauce

Every great recipe has that one ingredient that quietly does all the heavy lifting. It may seem small, but without it, the whole dish just doesn’t taste the same.

For this dumpling sauce, that ingredient is garlic.

Growing up in China, one of my kitchen jobs was peeling garlic cloves and crushing them with a traditional stone mortar and pestle. To this day, I still believe the flavor released from smashed garlic is incomparable to garlic that’s simply chopped with a knife. Crushing the garlic releases more of its natural oils, giving the sauce a richer, more aromatic flavor.

Fast forward many years to my own kitchen in America, and I’ve made countless batches of dumpling sauce trying to recreate my parents’ version. It was always good… but never quite right.

Besides using smashed garlic, I couldn’t figure out what made theirs taste so special.

Now I finally know.

And today, I’m sharing that little bit of family magic with you.

How to Make Dumpling Sauce

Making this sauce couldn’t be easier.

Finely smash or mince the garlic and cilantro. Add them to a small bowl
Pour in the Chinese black vinegar, soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and sesame oil, if using.
Homemade Chinese dumpling dipping sauce made with garlic, cilantro, soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, and sesame oil in a white bowl.
Stir everything together.

For a spicier version , add a little crispy chili oil. It brings the flavor to a whole new level.

Always taste and adjust the vinegar or soy sauce to your preference.

Can You Make this Dumpling Sauce Ahead?

Absolutely!

In fact, I think this sauce tastes even better the next day.

Growing up, my parents never wasted a single drop of dumpling sauce. Whatever was left after dinner went straight into the refrigerator alongside the leftover dumplings. I actually remember looking forward to the sauce even more the next day.

As the sauce sits overnight, the garlic and cilantro slowly infuse every bite with even more flavor. The sharpness of the raw garlic mellows while the flavors become deeper, more balanced, and incredibly fragrant.

If you’re planning ahead, make it the night before. You’ll be rewarded with an even better dipping sauce.

Hand dipping a crispy homemade Chinese dumpling into a garlic cilantro dumpling sauce made with black vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

What to Serve with Garlic Dumpling Sauce

Although this sauce was made for dumplings, it’s far too delicious to stop there.

My mom often serves it alongside simple blanched or steamed vegetables for an easy side dish. It also makes a fantastic dipping sauce for all kinds of plain vegetables. And of course my dad uses this dipping sauce for a bowl of simple noodles.

Try it with:

Whether you’re making homemade dumplings from scratch or picking up a bag of frozen potstickers for a quick weeknight dinner, this sauce will make them taste extra special. I hope it becomes one of those recipes you keep in your refrigerator at all times—just like we always have in our family.

Homemade Chinese dumpling dipping sauce made with garlic, cilantro, soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, and sesame oil in a white bowl.

Get the recipe:Chinese Dumpling Dipping Sauce {Family Recipe}

Yield: 1 small dish
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
This authentic Chinese dumpling dipping sauce comes together in just 5 minutes with garlic, cilantro, soy sauce (or coconut aminos), Chinese black vinegar, and optional crispy chili oil. The flavors get even better as it sits, making it the perfect make-ahead sauce for dumplings, potstickers, wontons, and more.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3-4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp coconut aminos, or low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (陈醋), Or rice vinegar
  • ½ tsp toasted sesame oil, optional
  • 1 tsp crispy chili oil, or to taste (optional)

Instructions 

  • Finely mince the garlic and chop the cilantro.
  • Add the garlic and cilantro to a small serving bowl.
  • Pour in the coconut aminos (or soy sauce) and Chinese black vinegar.
  • Stir in the sesame oil, if using.
  • For a spicy version, add crispy chili oil to taste and mix well.
  • Serve immediately, or let the sauce rest for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor, refrigerate overnight so the garlic and cilantro can infuse the sauce.

The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.

Author: Shuang Shuang Liang
Course: sauce
Cuisine: Chinese