What are Gyoza? A Japanese dumpling guide (2024)

What are the main different types of Gyoza served in Japan?

Yaki-Gyoza

The most comon type of Gyoza in Japan is Yaki-Gyoza. This style of Gyoza is very similar to the Chinese ‘potsticker’ dumplings. The prepared dumplings are placed in a pan and fried for a short time, water is then added to the pan and a lid placed on top, to steam the dumplings. When the steaming process is complete the lid of the pan is removed and the Gyoza are left to continue to crisp.

Age-Gyoza

The Age-Gyoza method of preparing Gyoza results in a very similar result to the Yaki-Gyoza, a crispy dumpling. What differs in this method is that to produce Age-Gyoza, the dumplings are simply deep fried rather than steamed.

Mushi-gyoza

Mushi-Gyoza results in a much healthier alternative to Age-Gyoza and Yaki-Gyoza. To create Mushi-Gyoza the dumplings are cooked in a bamboo steamer, without the need for frying.

See Also
Gyoza

Sui-Gyoza

This slightly different version of Gyoza involves boiling the dumplings in a soup or water. This results in a much different texture to the other common methods, a chewier and more tender dumpling with no crispiness.

When it comes to what to put into your Gyoza, the choices are endless, you could make a delicious and healthy vegetable gyoza using fresh seasonal vegetables cooked in a delicious soy-based broth. 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. Other popular fillings in Japan include seafood or prawns, minced lamb and vegan versions utilising tofu.

When eating Gyoza, they shouldn’t be eaten on their own, a good dipping sauce is essential. This can be as simple or as complicated as you’d like. Many eat their Gyoza with just soy sauce for dipping, if you wanted to be a little more adventurous you could pick a Ponzu sauce for an additional citrus tang.

To create an amazing soy sauce dip, mix Kikkoman Soy Sauce with vinegar and a dash of chilli oil. Or if you prefer a tangy flavour, mix Kikkoman Ponzu Citrus Seasoned Soy Sauce with some sesame oil for the perfect Gyoza accompaniment.

Try our Gyoza Recipes

Want to try your hand at making Gyozas at home? We have a great gyoza recipe that is sure to go down a treat. Just make sure you create a flavoursome dip to pair them with.

What are Gyoza? A Japanese dumpling guide (2024)

FAQs

What are Gyoza? A Japanese dumpling guide? ›

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.

What is Japanese gyoza? ›

If you have visited a Japanese restaurant or eaten Japanese style street food, you may have noticed a popular dish called 'Gyoza' on the menu. These delicious treats are Japanese dumplings, made with a variety of different fillings.

What is the difference between Japanese dumplings and gyoza? ›

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.

What are the three types of gyoza? ›

There are usually three types of gyoza that are found and enjoyed in Japan. That is yaki gyoza, age gyoza, and sui 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 gyoza dough made of? ›

What Are Gyoza Wrappers? 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.

Is gyoza good for you? ›

It depends on the type of dumplings. As a general rule, deep-fried dumplings are the least healthy. Normal, pan-fried gyoza are probably slightly better for you.

Are gyozas meant to be cold? ›

After it has been cooked it is best to eat it straightaway while it's still hot, though some people like a cooler, or even cold, gyoza, however you don't just eat it as it is. If you are eating in a restaurant then they will provide a dipping sauce, and if you buy it in a supermarket it will normally come with a sauce.

Is gyoza a fried dumpling? ›

Gyozas are Japanese dumplings that are typically made with a pork and vegetable filling. They are pan-fried or steamed, and are often served with a dipping sauce. Dumplings, on the other hand, can be found in many different cuisines.

How do you eat gyoza? ›

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.

What is the most popular gyoza in Japan? ›

Pork gyoza is Japan's most common and popular gyoza filling, consisting of minced pork, cabbage, Chinese chives, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings.

Are gyoza better steamed or fried? ›

Steamed Dumplings

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.

What is another name for 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.

How many folds should a gyoza have? ›

Using your right thumb and index finger, start making a pleat about once every ¼ inch on the top part of the wrapper from the center toward the right. Once you make 3–4 pleats, continue with the left side of the gyoza.

Why is it called gyoza? ›

Their origin stems from China with the invention of Jiaozi. In fact, gyoza is the Japanese pronunciation of jiaozi! There are a few theories of where the name “jiaozi” originated. One of the most popular theories is that jiaozi was named because of its unique horn shape since the Chinese word for “horn” is jiao.

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 version of gyoza? ›

Jiaozi. One of the most ubiquitous types of Chinese dumplings, jiaozi (饺子) are usually steamed or boiled and have been enjoyed across China for millennia. They often have a mixture of minced pork, shrimp, vegetables, mushrooms, and aromatics, along with a paper-thin dumpling wrapper.

What is the difference between mandu and gyoza? ›

Mandu and Gyoza have different tastes, depending on the ingredients and cooking methods. Mandu tend to have a stronger and richer flavor than Gyoza, due to the use of more meat, kimchi, and spices. Gyoza tend to have a lighter and fresher flavor than Mandu, due to the use of more vegetables, garlic, and ginger.

How healthy is gyoza? ›

By using hot air to cook off the dumplings, you get that sought-after crunch without the oily pay-off, keeping the calorie intake low. So it turns out store-bought gyozas are actually as healthy as everyone says. The only downside of this craze is that they keep selling out.

How many gyoza per person? ›

Side or main – how many gyoza dumplings do I need? 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.

Can I use wonton wrappers for gyoza? ›

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.

Can you eat gyoza as a meal? ›

This is one such recipe. OH HELLO Gyoza Soup (or Sui Gyoza). My kids love the frozen bags of gyoza, but they're not a full meal (more like a snack or starter with dips), so I decided to make a soup, adding vegetables and noodles too to make sure it's a fully filling lunch or dinner.

Are dumplings junk food? ›

Just like anything else dumplings are a great source of food and nutrition when taking moderation in mind. They can even offer health benefits with their fillings and multiple options. There are many different types of dumplings ranging from fillings, spices, and even how they are cooked.

How many dumplings is a meal? ›

What counts as one serve? Our tasters found out you can fill up on dumplings fairly quickly. Make a meal of your dumplings, and make them go further, by serving them with a plate of fresh, steamed greens. We recommend 120g, or about six dumplings, as a good serving size.

What do you eat gyoza with? ›

Serve alongside brown rice or rice noodles for a more filling, nutritious dinner.

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.

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.

What is gyoza in a bento box? ›

Crispy Japanese pan-fried dumplings make a delicious boxed lunch in this Gyoza Bento. In this guide, I'll show you how to pack last night's gyoza leftovers with tamagoyaki, hot steamed rice with furikake, and fresh vegetables for your lunch to go.

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