Gyoza (2024)

Gyoza (éLŽq, gyōza) are dumplings filled with ground meat and vegetables and wrapped in a thin dough. Also known as pot stickers, gyoza originated in China (where they are called jiaozi), but have become a very popular dish in Japan. The typical gyoza filling consists of ground pork, nira chives, green onion, cabbage, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and sesame oil, but some creative gyoza shops have also come up with a range of other fillings.

Types of gyoza

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    Yaki Gyoza (pan fried)

    Yaki gyoza are by far the most common type of gyoza. They are pan fried in a hot skillet before a mixture of water and cornstarch is poured in and everything is covered for a few minutes. The water and cornstarch mixture helps to steam the gyoza, making them soft and juicy while creating a thin crispy bottom on the individual gyoza. Yaki gyoza are typically served with the crispy bottom side up. Hanetsuki gyoza ("gyoza with wings") is the term used when the individual gyoza pieces are all connected by the thin crispy bottom.

  • Gyoza (2)

    Sui Gyoza (boiled)

    Sui gyoza are boiled gyoza that are often served in a very light broth. They are much less common than yaki gyoza and mainly found at Chinese restaurants and specialized gyoza restaurants.

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    Age Gyoza (deep fried)

    Age gyoza are crispy, deep fried gyoza mainly found at Chinese and gyoza specialty restaurants, but rarely encountered elsewhere.

How to enjoy gyoza

Gyoza are found nationwide at ramen shops, Chinese restaurants, izakaya (casual dining establishments) and a small number of gyoza specialty shops. A typical serving of gyoza consists of about half a dozen dumplings and costs around 300 to 600 yen. Gyoza are usually eaten with a dipping sauce made at the table of equal amounts of soy sauce and vinegar. A bit of chili oil (rayu) is also commonly added.

Gyoza are particularly popular in the cities of Utsunomiya in Tochigi Prefecture and Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, which battle for top gyoza consumption each year. A characteristic of Hamamatsu gyoza is the addition of bean sprouts on top of the gyoza. Both cities have large numbers of gyoza specialty shops some of which offer gyoza with less conventional fillings such as shrimp, mushroom, cheese or shiso leaf.

Gyoza (4)

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Gyoza (2024)

FAQs

What is gyoza usually made of? ›

Traditionally in Japan Gyoza are filled with a mix of finely minced pork, mushrooms and cabbage, which creates a delicious mix of flavours and textures. However, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your own Gyoza.

Is gyoza just potstickers? ›

Gyoza is the Japanese variation on the traditional Chinese recipe of potstickers. They are usually made with thinner, more delicate wrappers, and the filling is more finely textured. The thinner skins mean that gyoza get crispier than chewy potstickers.

What is a gyoza vs dumpling? ›

Gyoza are a type of crescent-shaped Japanese dumpling consisting of thin dough wrappers with a meat (traditionally pork) and vegetable filling. All gyoza are dumplings, but not all dumplings are gyoza, as this term refers to the specific style of dumplings enjoyed in Japan.

Is fried gyoza unhealthy? ›

Steamed dumplings are the best option in terms of fat content, with pan fried the next best. “If they do fry it -- like gyoza which are usually lightly fried -- then it puts the fat content up a little,” Austin said. “You want to avoid ones that have been completely deep fried.”

How many gyoza is a meal? ›

In Japan gyoza are often served as a side dish with ramen or noodle soup. You'll need around 10 dumplings per serving for gyoza on the side. If you want to serve the delicious dumplings as a main course, you'll have to make at least 15 per person.

Is a wonton a gyoza? ›

Compared to a wonton, however, a gyoza tends to have a thicker wrap and a distinct, crescent-style shape. Also, a wonton is more likely to be served in the form of a soup, while gyoza are more frequently enjoyed all by themselves. Give them a try today at Wild Wasabi!

What is the Chinese equivalent of gyoza? ›

Though considered part of Chinese cuisine, jiaozi are also popular in other parts of East Asia, where a Japanese variety is referred to as gyoza, and in the Western world, where a fried variety is referred to as potstickers.

Can you make gyoza with wonton wrappers? ›

Add cabbage, onion, carrot, and garlic; cook and stir until cabbage is limp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add ground pork and egg; cook and stir until pork is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Make the gyoza: Place about 1 tablespoon pork mixture into the center of a wonton wrapper.

How do Japanese eat gyoza? ›

Traditionally in Japanese cuisine, it is eaten with soy sauce and vinegar mixture with some ra-yu chili oil added for taste. Enjoy on its own as a meal or as a side dish!

What is the English word for gyoza? ›

gyo·​za gē-ˈō-zə plural gyoza or gyozas. : a crescent-shaped dumpling consisting of a thin wrapper that is filled usually with meat, seafood, or vegetables.

What ethnicity is gyoza? ›

Gyoza (餃子, gyōza) are dumplings filled with ground meat and vegetables and wrapped in a thin dough. Also known as pot stickers, gyoza originated in China (where they are called jiaozi), but have become a very popular dish in Japan.

Is gyoza similar to pierogi? ›

Pierogi is a square or crescent shaped dumpling of unleavened dough, stuffed with sauerkraut, cheese, mashed potatoes, cabbage, onion, meat, or any combination of these, or with a fruit filling. Gyoza is the Japanese version of something brought back to Japan from China, jiaozi. It is a 🥟 dumpling…!

What is gyoza sauce made of? ›

Whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, green onions, garlic, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and ginger in a bowl. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Are gyoza better steamed or fried? ›

The steaming process is what creates the shiny-looking soft exterior! Steaming is the traditional way of preparing dumplings and has never gone out of style. Many people around the world are loyal to this method of cooking and prefer it over pan-fried dumplings.

Is gyoza made with wonton wrappers? ›

Add ground pork and egg; cook and stir until pork is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Make the gyoza: Place about 1 tablespoon pork mixture into the center of a wonton wrapper. Fold wrapper in half over filling, then seal the edges with moistened fingers.

What dough is gyoza made of? ›

Gyoza wrappers are a thin and round flour pastry that wraps around the filling of gyoza or Japanese potstickers. The dough is made of wheat flour, water, and a pinch of salt. They get crispy when pan-fried or deep-fried and become soft and tender when boiled, just like wonton wrappers.

Is gyoza usually steamed or fried? ›

Steam-frying, or the potsticker method, is employed for dumplings like gyoza and gow gee (also known as jiaozi or guo tie). The dumplings are seared on their base to create a golden, crispy bottom, and then water is added, and they are covered to steam through.

Is gyoza always pork? ›

I've had gyoza filled with lamb and mint, confit duck, even cream cheese and shrimp. They can all be good, but here, our goal is to perfect the classic combo of pork and Napa cabbage.

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