CJ Foods introduced its Bibigo brand to Western supermarkets in June 2023. We were enthused to discover these dumplings, tailored for the Australian market, stocked in the freezer section. Our anticipation stemmed from our positive experience sampling these dumplings during a market research session in November 2022. In contrast, the product intended for the South Korean domestic market did not align with our palate preferences.
The packaging indicated a cooking time of 7 minutes when starting from frozen. However, we found that following these instructions didn’t sufficiently heat the filling for proper food safety. Instead, we opted to pan-fry the dumplings on medium heat until they achieved a golden brown hue on all sides. Following this, we added a small amount of water and covered the pan for a couple of minutes, ensuring the dumplings were fully cooked.
The dumplings measured around 8 cm in length and 4 cm in height. Upon sampling, we noted that the dumpling skins were pleasantly thin yet sturdy enough to contain the fillings. The filling comprised ‘5 kinds of vegetables’ (cabbage, onion, leek, green onion, and garlic), along with dehydrated tofu and glass noodles. We took pleasure in the chewy texture of the skin combined with the substantial filling. The seasoning of the filling was well-balanced, featuring noticeable touches of sesame oil and soy sauce, obviating the need for any additional dipping sauce. Notably, despite containing a lower vegetable content of 30% in comparison to the 46% in the version aimed at the South Korean domestic market, the leek flavour in these dumplings didn’t leave an enduring aftertaste on our palates. We’re enthusiastic supporters of this particular version.
This Bibigo Mandu Vegetable Dumplings contained 280 g. It was produced in South Korea and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.