A Sticky Situation

According to the legend of potstickers (you'll find that there's a legend about practically every food in China), the origin of this delectable treat was actually the result of an imperial chef's carelessness.

While teaching his apprentice son to make dumplings, instead of minding them as they cooked, he forgot about them until he heard sizzling coming from the wok. Sure enough, it was the potstickers, which were far more browned and crispy on the bottom than usual. Fearing reprisals from the emperor, the chef panicked. But his son — in a show of filial piety that would've done Confucius proud — offered to serve the dumplings to their boss and take the blame himself, rationalizing that because he was only a chef's apprentice, the emperor would cut him some slack rather than cut off his head.

So the young chef purposely served the "dumplings" burnt side up, taking the fall for his dad's inattention. But much to both of their surprise — and relief — the apprentice received praise instead of a death sentence! The emperor inquired as to the dish's name, and quick as a flash, the son labeled them "potstickers," for obvious reasons. And the tag has "stuck" ever since