What's a Chinese Rolling Pin?
Hsiao-Ching Chou
I've been teaching a lot of potsticker-making classes this year. My classes at Hot Stove Society sell out well in advance. One of the important tools you need to make dumplings – whether they're pan-fried as potstickers, steamed or boiled – is the Chinese rolling pin.
Chinese rolling pins are smooth wooden dowels that are usually about 10-12 inches long and about 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter. (Some are even smaller in diameter.) The size makes it easier to maneuver one-handed.
You maneuver the rolling pin with one hand and the dumpling dough with the other hand.
Many years ago, I taught potsticker-making on board a Holland America cruise through Asia. I had brought my own rolling pin, but then I realized the ship's demonstration kitchen probably wouldn't be stocked with rolling pins for the students. Home port was Hong Kong and that's where we first looked for rolling pins. None of the little shops in town had rolling pins – which was so odd. One of the shopkeepers was surprised that we were looking for rolling pins. Apparently the average Hong Kong resident doesn't make dumplings at home and therefore doesn't need to buy rolling pins. (I find that hard to believe.)
At the next port in Shanghai, we found a Carrefour (a French "big box" store with a location in Shanghai) that sold rolling pins and I bought about a dozen. That got a lot of stares from other shoppers. But the students got proper rolling pins to use during class and to take home with them.
The selection of rolling pins at Asian Food Center, located at 130th and Aurora in north Seattle.
In the Seattle area, you can find Chinese rolling pins at 99 Ranch. But the largest selection is available at Asian Food Center. Most cost less than $2. I can't tell you how tickled I was to see such a selection!