Unique and Delicious! 5 Great Gyoza Restaurants in Ikebukuro Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jan 30 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Unique and Delicious! 5 Great Gyoza Restaurants in Ikebukuro

Gyoza (dumpling) is a representative Chinese dish that comes in many varieties, such as yaki-gyoza (fried dumpling), sui-gyoza (boiled dumpling), mushi-gyoza (steamed dumpling), and bo-gyoza (stick dumpling). Each restaurant has its own specialty, which makes it fun to try out and compare the offerings from different places. Try finding your favorite gyoza on the bustling streets of Ikebukuro!

See full listings of Chinese restaurants found in and around Ikebukuro.

1. Kailaku Main Branch

When mentioning gyoza in Ikebukuro, Kailaku Main Branch definitely comes to mind. Its [Kailaku Special Jumbo Gyoza] is so famous that it has been featured in TV programmes and is well-known among gyoza lovers. Their jumbo gyoza features generous portions of fresh vegetables and high-quality minced meat wrapped in specially-made skin, which are then grilled till crispy. One bite into these filling gyozas will literally send the meat juices flying out your mouth! They also have limited portions of other offerings like their [Kailaku Special Jumbo Coriander Gyoza] and [Kailaku Special Jumbo Prawn Gyoza], which are offered for only a short period, so you will be able to enjoy something different no matter how many times you visit here.

Kailaku Main Branch

Open: [Monday - Thursday] 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:40 pm)
[Friday, Saturday] 11:00 am - 12:00 am (L.O. 11.40 pm)
[Sunday] 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:40 pm)
*If a Sunday falls before a national holiday, it will be open from 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10.40 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: 501 JPY - 1,000 JPY
Address: 1-27-2, Minami Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: hitosara (Japanese)

2. Azumatei

Azumatei is a gyoza specialty restaurant that usually gets queues of people at its doors. Here, you can try freshly-made and piping-hot gyoza, but it's only available during lunchtime, which is only for 2 and a half hours, so you definitely should come early to avoid disappointment! As they specialize in gyoza, it's probably not surprising that their menu consists of only 3 items: [Yaki-gyoza], [Sui-gyoza], and [Shumai] (another type of dumpling). This makes it the perfect place to savor the most authentic gyoza.

A significant characteristic of the gyoza here is its substantial size, which makes it really filling. The most popular dish is none other than the perfectly-fried [Yaki-gyoza], which has a thicker-than-usual skin with a filling full of the goodness from garlic chives and garlic. You are bound to come back for more once you have tried it! As the restaurant only offers takeout for 2 hours from 7:00 pm, that would be a good time to bring some gyoza back as a souvenir.

Azumatei

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm *Takeout only
Closed: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays
Address: 2-50-13, Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: hitosara (Japanese)

3. Yan Second Branch

Yan Second Branch, which is known for its homemade Sichuan cuisine, has been featured in TV programmes as well. Among its signature dishes, the [Shiru-nashi Tantanmen] (Soup-less Tantan Noodles) is a spicy rendition of the dish, accentuated by the flavor of sansho (strong Japanese pepper). For those who can't take spicy food, you will be glad to know that you can request for a toned-down version. As the names of [Kawa mo Tezukuri Sui-gyoza] (handmade boiled gyoza) and [Kawa mo Tezukuri Yaki-gyoza] (handmade fried gyoza) suggest, their gyoza is entirely handmade, from the skin to the filling. You will be torn between choosing the crispy yaki-gyoza, bursting with an abundance of garlic chives, or the sui-gyoza, which is springy and served with a delicious soup.

Yan Second Branch

Open: [Weekdays] 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) *Has afternoon breaks only on weekdays
[Weekends] 11:30 am - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) *No afternoon break
Closed: None
Average price: 1,001 JPY - 1,500 JPY
Address: 3-25-5, Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: hitosara (Japanese)

4. Din Tai Fung Ikebukuro Branch

Din Tai Fung is a dim sum restaurant that's famous for its xiaolongbao (another type of dumpling). It has been selling dim sum in Taiwan since 1972 and was chosen as one of the top 10 most popular restaurants in the world by the New York Times in 1993. Currently, it has more than 110 branches in 10 countries and is a well-loved international brand.

Here, you will be able to eat their steamed gyoza, which contains vegetables, prawns, and pork. Do give this a try and savor the authentic flavors from Taiwan!

Din Tai Fung Ikebukuro Branch

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Closed: Irregular (follows Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro)
Average price: 2,501 JPY - 3,000 JPY
Address: 13F, Spice, Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, 1-1-25, Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: hitosara (Japanese)

5. Ginza Tenryu Ikebukuro Tobu Branch

Ginza Tenryu is a long-established and beloved restaurant which opened in 1949. The large gyoza here, which is about twice the size of a normal gyoza, has become the signature dish over the years. The springy skin of their gyoza is on the thick side, and it is fried perfectly to get a crispy texture. The filling, made up of the crunchy vegetables, is nicely flavored, too. If you're searching for a filling meal consisting of huge gyozas and rice, this is the place that can't be missed!

Ginza Tenryu Ikebukuro Tobu Branch

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Regular (follows Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro's regular closing days)
Access: Around a 3-minute walk from West Exit of Ikebukuro Station
Address: 12F, Dining City Spice, Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, 1-1-25, Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: Official Website (Japanese)

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.