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Gyoza: 30 Days of Japanese Food

December 2, 2018 | Michael Turtle | 8 Comments

JAPANESE FOOD

Day 11: Gyoza

These precious little bundles of dumpling goodness originally came from China many centuries ago but have been appropriated into Japanese cuisine and called gyoza. (The name uses the same characters as the Chinese word but is pronounced differently.)

Although the ingredients inside the dumplings can vary based on restaurant or region, the standard filling is a combination of minced pork, cabbage, chives, garlic and ginger.

In fact, the Japanese variety can normally be differentiated from its Chinese original because it’s got a lot more garlic in it.

gyoza, japanese food, japanese dishes, asian dumplings

The gyoza are normally dipped in a vinegar-soy sauce before being eaten, which helps offset all that garlic inside it. The Japanese version of the dumplings are also normally lightly flavoured with soy and salt, so the combination with the sauce works well together.

Gyoza tend not to be eaten as a full meal in Japan. They are commonly eaten as a starter or a side dish at noodle restaurants – or as a snack to go along with some beer or sake drinking.

It’s a pity because they’re so tasty I sometimes think I could eat a whole plate of them for dinner!

gyoza, japanese food, japanese dishes, asian dumplings

These ones are from a noodle bar in the city of Kawasaki, an hour south of Tokyo. For five dumplings it cost 350 yen (US$3.55) and they went perfectly with the bowl of soupy ramen I had with them.

>> You can check out the whole list of Japanese food dishes here <<

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Jessica Korteman |

    April 11, 2013 at 10:32 pm

    Reply

    The best! I had a serving with tonkotsu ramen last night. Think it offset the gym session I did before that, but it was worth it!

    • Michael Turtle |

      April 16, 2013 at 11:18 pm

      Reply

      I am convinced every single Japanese dish is good for you. Especially gyoza! I won’t hear a single person say otherwise!!

      • Jessica Korteman |

        April 16, 2013 at 11:36 pm

        Reply

        Thank you, kind sir!

  2. Caitlyn |

    April 12, 2013 at 1:15 am

    Reply

    In all my travels around Japan I made sure I had gyoza at least once daily… I was never disappointed! (Massive craving right now, thanks!)

    • Michael Turtle |

      April 16, 2013 at 11:22 pm

      Reply

      Daily?! Wow, that’s commitment. But I don’t really blame you. They’re pretty oishi!

  3. zoomingjapan |

    April 12, 2013 at 11:01 am

    Reply

    I love gyoza! I just love the taste of it and whenever I have the chance to, I eat them! ^___^

    • Michael Turtle |

      April 16, 2013 at 11:28 pm

      Reply

      So yum!

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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