About Time: You Discovered London’s Best GyozaBy Alicia Grimshaw
There ain’t no party like a gyoza party. Looking for the best gyoza in London? We’ve got all the answers.
These bite-sized pockets originated in China, but have become a popular dish throughout the world. The dumplings are filled with ground meat and vegetables and wrapped in a thin dough, before being either steamed or pan-fried. The real joy to the ludicrously delicious morsels are the variety of fillings, with each venue putting their own spin on this classic Asian snack. London is home to some incredible gyoza creations, and we think it’s about time you discovered the best gyoza in town. Go on, have a little scroll:
1. For a Classic Gyoza: KOI Ramen Bar
Order: Pork gyoza (£6.25)
The Run-Down: Everyone comes here for the ramen (and really, we can’t blame them), but if you’re heading to Pop Brixton, make a bee line for Koi Ramen’s gyoza. The concise menu features three different gyoza, but our top pick is the pork gyoza – simply served with chilli oil and a handful of spring onions. The gyoza are luscious, flavourful and just so darn near perfection, it’s painful.
Where: 49 Brixton Station Rd, Brixton, London SW9 8PQ
Photo Credit: thediggersltd
2. For All the Gyoza: The Gyoza Guys
Order: Chicken, cabbage and corn dumpling (£5)
The Run-Down: Amir and Kien are the dynamic duo behind The Gyoza Guys, a street food stall banging out handmade, freshly cooked to order gyoza filled with inventive flavour combos. Take their chicken, cabbage and corn creation – an East/West mash up that you’ll wolf down in no time. And that casing. Man, that juicy soft casing. One of the best gyoza in London without a doubt.
Where: Every Saturday and Sunday at Maltby Street Market, 37 Maltby St, London SE1 3PA
3. For a Prawn Gyoza: Tonkotsu
Order: Prawn with spring onion and ginger gyoza (£5.25)
The Run-Down: Tonkotsu is, obviously, thee place to come for ramen. But goyza? Now you’re speaking our lingo. We appreciate the accoutrements on the table where you can mix up your own sauce to lovingly drown your gyoza into. Mix up the likes of soy, vinegar and chilli oil – and get dipping these squishy bites of pure happiness.
Where: Locations here
4. For Quirky Flavours: Rainbo Food
Order: Duck and hoisin gyoza (£5)
The Run-Down: Rainbo Food have been slinging their Japanese wares all over town for the past six years, and now you can find their permanent home in Camden Market. Their vibrant gyoza are devilishly good, with each perfectly formed dumpling an ode to Japanese flavours with a modern twist. Try their duck and hoisin gyoza, and tell us that is doesn’t taste dreamy.
Where: The Stables, Camden Market, Camden Lock Pl, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF
Order: Pork gyoza (£5)
The Run-Down: A BYO Japanese joint serving up Asian small plates like pork gyoza, karaage and prawn tempura, Hinata are masterfully skilled in the art of the perfect gyoza. These plump pouches of meaty joy are not to be missed – and the soft, silky sides and crispy bottom crust are heavenly.
Where: Unit 74, 29 Tooting High Street, London, SW17 0RJ
6. For a Gyoza Party: Ugly Dumpling
Order: Spinach and tofu gyoza (£4)
The Run-Down: The restaurant fuses Western/Eastern flavours together, transforming the humble dumpling from an Asian street snack into a dining sensation. Co-founder and chef, Ping Wong has created a unique combination of artisan dumplings with a bold fusion of flavours like satay chicken, prawn and chive, and the vegan special, spinach and tofu. One of the best gyoza in London, for sure.
Where: 1 Newburgh St, Soho, London W1F 7RB
7. For a Pan Fried Gyoza: Sakagura
Order: Pork gyoza (£8)
The Run-Down: Inspired by the old-style drinking houses of Japan known as izakayas, Sakagura just off Heddon Street is a slice of Japan in the heart of the capital. The pan fried pork gyoza are juicy on the inside, yet crispy and golden brown on the outside – and the yuzu soy sauce adds a lovely tangy taste to proceedings.
Where: 8 Heddon St, Mayfair, London W1B 4BU
8. For a Tetsunabe Gyoza: Shoryu Ramen
Order: Tetsunabe gyoza (£7)
The Run-Down: At Shoryu the kitchen gang serve an amazing handmade Hakatan version of these juicy, pork filled pot-stickers called ‘tetsunabe’ gyoza. Tetsunabe gyoza originates from the Nakasu area of Hakata and are lacy, crispy, bite size gyoza served in a sizzling tetsunabe cast-iron skillet, the only place to do so in London.
Where: Locations here
