A Guide to Japanese Gyoza Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Aug 31 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Everyone loves gyoza (dumplings), right? “Wanna going to eat some gyoza?” is a common phrase that can be heard all over Japan as families go to eat out, people go for a drink on their way home from work, and couples on dates. But did you know that the gyoza you know, and love may take on a little different form in different parts of the country? Allow this article to introduce the places which sell the local gyoza of their area!

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1. Gyoza no Terui

A plate full of Fukushima’s enban gyoza.
Enban gyoza are fried in the shape of the frying pan used. Each serving comes with a generous amount of 20 - 30 gyoza. The filling is primarily made with vegetables instead of meat, meaning that 20 - 30 gyoza can be easily consumed alone. The locals commonly eat it as an accompaniment to alcohol rather than with rice.

Characterized by its crispy thin skin. The dough for this skin is left to rise for three days.

The menu also includes ramen (noodles), vegetables cooked on a teppan (iron griddle), and much more!

Gyoza no Terui

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm *Open while gyoza are still in stock
Closed: Wednesday
*Open if it falls on a national holiday.
*Might close on event days.
Average price: 1,500 JPY
Access: Exit Iizaka Onsen Station and head towards Hotel Juraku. Turn left at Aoi-kan. Gyoza no Terui is 40m from there on your right-hand side.
Address: 1-21, Aza Nishiki-cho, Iizaka-machi, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima Map
More Details Reservation

2. Hakata Taki Gyoza Ikeda Shoten

Taki gyoza, the new specialty of Hakata alongside tetsunabe gyoza.
It consists of gyoza filled with chicken and vegetables floating inside ramen soup. While tonkotsu (pork bone) is the most commonly eaten soup flavor in Hakata, there are apparently restaurants selling taki gyoza in chicken broth. Seasonings include yuzu kosho (citrus pepper) and miso-mustard.

The [Black Pig Cartilage Stew] is also popular.

When you think of Kyushu, you’ll no doubt think of shochu (Japanese alcohol). A wide range of shochu is available here, from the classics to the rarer bottles.

Hakata Taki Gyoza Ikeda Shoten

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 6:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Monday] 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY
Access: Walk down Takamiya Street towards the Yakuin area. Turn right at the Hirao Kita traffic light and go straight through the Nishitetsu underpass. It is on the right-hand side.
Address: 2-1-26, Omiya, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Map
More Details Reservation

3. Taito

This dish was founded by Hamamatsu Gyoza Shodai Shige, who won the Hamamatsu Gyoza Grand Prix in 2011. The bean sprouts were originally added to the disk-shaped dish to fill the gaps on the plate. But their refreshingly crispy texture soon become loved as a great accompaniment to the gyoza.

Szechuan-inspired Chinese cuisine can also be enjoyed here at very affordable prices.

The spacious interior ensures that every seat has plenty of space around it.

Taito

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm (L.O.) *Only items on the lunch menu are available, Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday, Beginning and end of the year
Average price: [Dinner] 1,100 JPY *Course meals can be reserved, starting from 2,500 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY *Eat the gyoza that won the 2011 Hamamatsu Gyoza Grand Prix!
Access: 8-minute drive from the Hamamatsu-nishi Interchange
Address: 630-3, Wako-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka Map
More Details

4. Moriya

Deliciously crispy Hakata tetsunabe gyoza are served piping hot in a black cast iron pot. The crisply fried skin of these bite-sized gyoza will no doubt whet your appetite. There is even the [Omu-Gyoza] at Moriya - a unique take on the Hakata tetsunabe gyoza, which is wrapped with egg and topped with cheese!

Wrapped with eggs, the [Omu-Gyoza] is a unique creation of Moriya.

This stylish restaurant has an interior similar to that of an Italian restaurant!

Moriya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am
*Open on Sunday as well.
*Closes when stocks of gyoza diminish.
*Contact the restaurant for more information about opening times and lunch service.
Closed: Irregular
*Open during Obon (August 11 - 16)
Average price: 2,001 JPY - 2,500 JPY
Address: B1F, Hakata Kowa Bldg., 3-23-12, Hakata Eki-mae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka (Map)
Source: hitosara (Japanese)

5. Kinnabe

This roughly 15cm, extra-large gyoza of Tsu City in Mie Prefecture is as big as the palm of your hand and deep-fried. It was created to improve work efficiency when making gyoza for school lunches. The large, deep-fried gyoza ended up becoming a huge hit with the children. It was even said to have contributed to the revitalization of the town in 2008!

The signature dish of Kinnabe is [Chanko Nabe] (stew commonly eaten by sumo wrestlers), cooked by a chef who once worked at Oshima Stable, a famous sumo wrestling training room.

The huge [Sumo Croquette] is another large item on the menu alongside the popular [Tsu Gyoza]!

Kinnabe

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
*Only open for lunch on weekends for pre-reserved groups of 10 people or more.
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY / [Lunch] 500 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Tsu-shimmachi Station. Walk along Iga Road towards the Iwata River, turning right at the third corner. Kinnabe is located approx. 130m down this road on your right-hand side.
Address: 9-43, Minami Marunouchi, Tsu-shi, Mie Map
More Details

6. Shibuya Gyoza

This gyoza specialty restaurant tries to draw out the full original taste of gyoza. With their crispy thin skin and succulent interior, this large platter of gyoza will no doubt go great with a beer in the summer. What’s more is that the price will make you smile!

Shibuya Gyoza

Open: 11:00 am - 5:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Address: 2F, Umekichi Bldg., 30-3, Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: hitosara (Japanese)

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.