Gyoza – those soft little Japanese dumplings filled with goodness. This dish has to be one of the most Asian popular snacks around.
What is gyoza?
Gyoza, also known as pot stickers, are Japanese dumplings and they are absolutely delicious. They are either filled with ground meat, such as pork or chicken or vegetables and are wrapped in a thin dough. A typical gyoza is filled with ground pork, chives, green onion, cabbage, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Different types of gyoza
There are three main types of gyoza: Yaki gyoza, Sui gyoza and Age gyoza.
Yaki gyoza – are pan-fried and the most common type of gyoza served at restaurants. These gyoza are pan-fried in a hot skillet and then water is corn-starch is poured over them and they are covered for a few minutes. This allows the gyoza to steam, keeping them soft and juicy, while also creating a crispy layer on the outside.
Sui gyoza – are boiled and served in a light broth. These gyoza aren’t as common, but are popular among those who still enjoy dumplings but are watching their waistline!
Age gyoza – are deep-fried and have a super crispy exterior.
History of gyoza
History can safely say that the gyoza came directly from the Chinese jiaozi dumpling. The jiaozi was invented by a Chinese man named Zhang Zhongjing in around the year 150 AD. He wanted to create food for people that they could eat in the freezing cold that would warm them up. He is also said to be the same man who founded Chinese herbal medicine. When Zhang created the jiaozi, it is said that these dumplings warmed people’s core, right up to their ears, which is why they are an ear shape.
These days, the Chinese eat jiaozi a lot during Chinese New Year. After many years of war between China and Japan during the occupation of Manchuria (an area in China that Japan occupied during World War II) many Japanese soldiers were exposed to the jiaozi. The Chinese people taught them how to make the dumpling and when the Japanese returned home, they taught their families how to make it. The Japanese altered the dumpling to suit their tastes and the gyoza was born.
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Where to find gyoza in Singapore
There are lots of restaurants and cafes in Singapore that serve juicy, plump gyoza. Check out Gyoza-Ya and the Gyoza No Ohsho. They both serve gyoza at a moderate price and are rated highly on foodpanda. Find these restaurants and other delicious dumplings here on foodpanda!
