Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture is famous nation-wide for its Chinese fried dumplings known as gyoza in Japan. The capital city boasts over 200 gyoza shops many of which are densely located near Utsunomiya Station in what is known as “Gyoza Town.”

Our reporter, Usagi, braved the imminent threat of deliciousness and boarded a Tochigi-bound train. Next stop: Gyoza Town!

There were many shops lined up side by side about five minutes from the station, but Usagi had her sights on Iki Iki Gyoza in particular. This shop offers over 600 different kinds of gyoza beyond your standard meat and nira (Chinese leek) flavor. The line-up of novelty dumplings is simply too much to process in one visit.

Usagi perused the menu sliding her finger past names such as “Angry Monkey Gyoza,” “Gyoza of Many Children,” and “Swimming Gyoza.” However one name instantly jumped out at her: “First Love Flavored Gyoza.” She wondered what “first love” tasted like – nostalgic and bittersweet perhaps?

Determined to find out she ordered a plate. Fifteen minutes later the dumplings arrived, but they didn’t look like anything special. They were just the same oily, browned, crescents of rice paper that she’s seen countless times before.

When she took a bite however, her taste buds were taken straight to tangy town. Although not bittersweet, these gyoza were definitely an intense sensation of sweet and sour. It might have actually been a little more intense than Usagi’s first love, but she got the idea.

Inside the dumpling were pieces of apple, lemon, and black sesame. The result was a taste more similar to candy than a savory side dish usually served with dinner. Still, it was delicious nonetheless.

Unfortunately, as they’re served in plates of 10 dumplings per order, it was impossible for Usagi to make a dent in the entire 600 item menu and try everything as much as she wanted to. Iki Iki Gyoza offers take out, but even then she was limited by how much she could carry. One thing was for sure – this would not be her last visit.

Information
Iki Iki Gyoza
1-12-12 Shukugo, Utsunomiya, Tochigi
Telephone: 028-634-6448
Saturday and Sunday 5:00pm – 4:00am
Weekdays: Noon – 4:00am
Website

(Information is current as of December 2013)

Original Article by Usagi Yumeno
Photos: RocketNews24

▼ Gyoza Town was particularly festive this time of year.

▼ Iki Iki Gyoza

▼ “Delectably Interesting”

▼ The menu was overwhelmingly large!

▼ And most items you couldn’t figure out by the name.

▼ The sign outside says 400 kinds, but the menu ups it to 600 types of gyoza.

▼ Usagi ordered the First Love Flavored Gyoza for 1,250 yen (US$12)

▼ At first it looked like regular gyoza.

▼ But was extremely tangy!

▼ Inside were pieces of apple, lemon, and black sesame.

▼ This is a mixed gyoza combo for 1,050 yen (US$10)

▼ It has five regular meat gyoza and five mystery flavors.

▼ The meat dumplings were delicious as expected.

▼ These are the Dim Sum Gyoza for 1050 yen ($10)

▼ Here are 10 sweet gyoza with flavors like chocolate and yogurt.

▼ The chocolate was really good.

[ Read in Japanese ]