Chinese and Indian dumplings become pop culture icons for artists far and wide

A Hong Kong-based artist puts dumplings on mugs. A Taiwanese-American artist creates ceramic dumplings. An Indian artist makes momo-decorated key rings

The dumpling ‘has historical and cultural value across all Asian countries’, says Yiying Lu, who designed a dumpling emoji available to all phone users

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From emoji to key chains to mugs, art and designer objects based on various kinds of Asian dumplings have been gaining prominence in pop culture worldwide in recent years.

Published: 7:15am, 20 Jan 2021Updated: 7:22am, 20 Jan 2021

Dumplings are Elizabeth Fry’s ultimate comfort food. The designer, entrepreneur and founder of the Hong Kong-based Liz Fry Design company says the steamed variety are her favourite.

Fry, 38, has lived in Hong Kong for the past six years; her mother was born in the city and moved to Britain as a child.

“Dumplings are such an integral part of Hong Kong’s identity and culinary heritage,” she says. “I have friends who are obsessed with them.”

In 2019, Fry created a range of Hong Kong-themed merchandise, and the dumpling took centre stage. “Identity and heritage took on new meaning after the Hong Kong protests,” Fry says. “Exploring that identity through local food and culture became important to me.”

Elizabeth Fry of Liz Fry Designs says dumplings are her ultimate comfort food. Photo: Jonathan Wong

A black ceramic mug dotted with multicoloured dumplings was the first of her themed pieces. Released in 2019 and priced at HK$160 (US$21), it sold quickly and is still one of her most popular designs. The following year, Fry released a red ceramic mug with the same dumpling theme in time for the Lunar New Year.

Her 2021 range features the siu mai – a dumpling with a chewy texture and a Hong Kong street food favourite. Siu mai in Hong Kong is typically filled with shrimp and pork, and wrapped in a yellow sheet of lye water dough.