Gyoza, or Japanese dumpling, is a favorite choice for lunch for everyone regardless of age and gender.

Many people order gyoza as a side place that goes along with an ever-popular Japanese ramen. But for me, gyoza has just enough charm and volume that it can serve as a whole lunch solo.

The mighty gyoza! Fried version. (I don't ever go for boiled ones...

You can enjoy this tasty meal in just any Chinese restaurants around town, but I always go to this shop called “Tokyo Gyozarou” near my neighborhood, Sangenjaya, that serves exclusively Japanese dumplings.We Japanese people often times go for fried ones, while its originator Chinese people eat them boiled in hot water. You may enjoy the two different ways of enjoying the meal. There’s also a choice of free-garlic and free-leek for those who would not like to be smelly or the newly established couple who might worry about the breath.

My favorite way to enjoy the meal is:

1: Order a glass of draft beer, and boiled sprouts with minced meat sauce over it as an appetizer. Savor them while waiting for gyoza.

2: Make the sauce for the dumpling. Mix soy sauce, Chinese chili pepper oil, and vinegar. My favorite proportion is 1:0.2:1.

The process of making a sauce.

3. Dip the freshly fried/boiled dumplings into the sauce, and pop it in your mouth. But be careful as they are often quite hot!

In Japan, it is customary to enjoy the meal with a bowl of rice.

As for the price, one plate containing 6 pieces is 290 yen(The photo shows a total of 12 dumplings, which is two plates), and a bowl of rice with a cup of soup is 180 yen. A glass of draft beer is 500 yen, being the most expensive item of all!