Which traditional Chinese physician is credited in folklore with inventing jiaozi?

The traditional Chinese physician credited in folklore with inventing jiaozi is Zhang Zhongjing.

Zhang Zhongjing was a physician associated with the Eastern Han period (AD 25–220). A famous origin story says that, during a harsh winter, he saw poor people suffering from frostbitten ears. He prepared lamb, warming herbs, and seasonings, wrapped the mixture in dough, and boiled the parcels in broth. The dumplings were supposedly shaped like ears and originally called “tender ears.”

This is a cherished folk tradition rather than a firmly documented invention by one individual. Dumplings existed in China long before surviving evidence clearly connects them to Zhang, and archaeological finds show that dumpling-like foods were eaten centuries ago. Written references also indicate that jiaozi became established over time rather than appearing suddenly.

Zhang should not be confused with Sun Simiao, Hua Tuo, or Li Shizhen, all famous figures in Chinese medical history. The association with Zhang is specifically the popular jiaozi origin legend.