Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (2024)

by Jana 6 Comments

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This pork gyoza recipe with dipping sauce is absolutely amazing! Traditional fried Japanese dumplings made using store-bought wrappers. So simple anyone can make it!

Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (1)

Pork Gyoza or Japanese Potstickers are one of my favorite dumplings. Next to Tonkatsu, it’s one of the things I miss the most from my trip to Japan. I could eat pork gyozas everyday!

If you never had them, you are in for a treat!

These savory dumplings are a party favorite. Have it out as an appetizer for Super Bowl and watch them disappear!

Gyozas are crunchy and delicious and served with an easy sauce – it’s an explosion of flavors. And the best part of it is, this recipe makes a lot of them and they freeze really well.

Gyozas are similar to Chinese dumplings except that Japanese Potstickers are made with thinner dough. Both can be steamed, boiled or pan-fried and the fillings are similar. I ate it in both Japan and China and both were delicious!

Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (2)

For this gyoza recipe, I will be using store bought wrappers, but if you want to make your own, it’s not hard. The only hard part is getting it so thin. I am a fan of using ready made products when I need lots of it and since this recipe makes 40-50 gyozas, I preferred to buy the wrappers at my grocery store.

There are several different fillings for gyozas and you can experiment with different flavors that are not necessarily Asian, but for this gyoza recipe, I stayed true to the traditional pork gyoza that I ate while visiting Japan.

Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (3)

Although gyozas are absolutely delicious and you can’t ever just eat one, they are labor intensive. Prepping and mixing the ingredients for the filling takes 10 minutes, but wrapping them takes 45-60 minutes if you are by yourself.

A trick is to get the family to help. Have a gyoza wrapping party and it will get done in no time. It also gets easier as you get used to it.

Thankfully, they freeze amazingly well, so next time you make gyozas, make a double batch and freeze them for another day.

There are two methods of pinching the gyoza wrapper closed. One is to pinch it from the middle towards the ends and the other is to pinch it from one side to the next. I found the latter to be easier. Once I did about a dozen, the rest went pretty quickly.

It also helps to not overfill the gyoza wrapper as it will leak out and sometimes causes the wrapper to tear. You also don’t want to skimp on the filling – the best gyozas have a good ratio of dough to filling. You will know pretty fast after wrapping a few Japanese dumplings what is the right amount.

Now on to the good part- the recipe!

Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (4)

Enjoy!

Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (5)

Print Recipe

Pork Gyoza Recipe

This pork gyoza recipe is absolutely amazing! Traditional fried Japanese dumplings made using store bought wrappers. So simple anyone can make it! It's delicious with the easy to make dipping sauce!!

Prep Time1 hour hr

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Party Favorites, Snack

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: appetizers, dinner, dipping sauce, dumplings, easy dinner recipes, fried, gyoza, homemade, japanese, lunch, pork, simple, traditional

Servings: 40 gyozas

Calories: 67kcal

Ingredients

Gyoza Filling

  • 1 package gyoza wrappers
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 3 green onions chopped finely
  • 1-2 garlic cloves chopped finely
  • 2 tsps grated ginger
  • 1 tsp red miso paste substitute for soy sauce if not available
  • 3 cups chopped napa cabbage chopped finely

For frying

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or sesame oil

Gyoza sauce

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • drops chili oil optional

Instructions

Making Gyozas

  • Mix all the filling ingredients into a bowl and mix it with your hands until it is well combined.

  • Open the gyoza wrappers and place a small amount of the pork mixture in the center of the wrapper. Dip your fingers in water and run it around the wrapper’s edge so it will stick together. Fold the wrapper in half, forming a half moon and with your fingers, create pleats around the edge to close the gyoza. See pictures above.

Cooking Gyozas

  • Turn heat to medium low on your stove. Place half of the oil in a frying pan.

  • Wait a few seconds until the oil is warm and place the gyozas flat side down. Fry it for 2 minutes minutes without moving them.

  • Pour water into the pan and close it with a lid to steam the gyozas.

  • Cook for 8 minutes until the skin becomes soft and the water is all evaporated.

  • Remove cover and let any remaining water evaporate. Add the extra oil and let the gyozas fry to 2-5 minutes. It’s important not to try to move them before at least 2 minutes as the bottom may be stuck to the pan and the skin will tear.

  • Once the gyozas can be removed from pan. Let it rest for a couple minutes as you make the gyoza sauce.

Gyoza Sauce

  • Add soy sauce, vinegar and chili oil to dipping container. Taste it for acidity and heat. Add more vinegar and oil if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

If you liked this recipe, you might also like Beef Gyudon!

What recipe should I make next?

For more recipes, click here or follow my Recipe Board on Pinterest.

Don’t forget to follow my travel or lifestyle accounts on Instagram and to subscribe to my YouTube channel for videos.

Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (6)
Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (7)

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This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Pork Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Potstickers) - Good Life Xplorers (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Japanese gyoza and potstickers? ›

Gyoza is the Japanese variation on the traditional Chinese recipe of potstickers. They are usually made with thinner, more delicate wrappers, and the filling is more finely textured. The thinner skins mean that gyoza get crispier than chewy potstickers.

What are the three types of gyoza? ›

There are usually three types of gyoza that are found and enjoyed in Japan. That is yaki gyoza, age gyoza, and sui gyoza. The traditional method of steaming isn't so often seen in Japan unless dining in a Chinese food establishment.

What is Japanese gyoza made of? ›

Traditionally in Japan Gyoza are filled with a mix of finely minced pork, mushrooms and cabbage, which creates a delicious mix of flavours and textures. However, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your own Gyoza.

Are gyozas Japanese or Chinese? ›

Gyoza (餃子, gyōza) are dumplings filled with ground meat and vegetables and wrapped in a thin dough. Also known as pot stickers, gyoza originated in China (where they are called jiaozi), but have become a very popular dish in Japan.

Are gyoza better steamed or fried? ›

Gyozas gained popularity in the Tokyo area during the Meiji period, when they started to be steamed instead of fried. This new cooking method made them lighter and healthier, which helped them to become even more popular. Today, gyozas are enjoyed all over Japan and can be found in both restaurants and homes.

What is Japan's number 1 gyoza? ›

N°1 GYOZA IN JAPAN: Ajinomoto gyoza are the best-selling gyoza on the Japanese market.

What's the difference between pork dumplings and gyoza? ›

The simple answer: there is no difference; since gyoza is a dumpling. The complicated answer: there are so many differences since not all dumplings are gyoza. The most significant differences between traditional dumplings and gyoza are their shape, wrappers, and method of cooking.

What does gyoza mean in Japanese? ›

gyoza. / (ɡiːˈəʊzə) / noun. a Japanese fried dumpling.

What kind of oil do you use for gyoza? ›

Tip: If you're cooking frozen gyoza, steam them for an extra 1–2 minutes. Remove the lid to evaporate any remaining water. Drizzle 1 tsp toasted sesame oil around the gyoza in the frying pan. Cook uncovered until the gyoza is browned and crisp on the bottom.

Is gyoza made of pork? ›

The simplest recipes have you knead together pork, minced cabbage, and aromatics like garlic, ginger, and nira (Japanese garlic chives; scallions will do just fine). Without know-how, these don't produce particularly good dumplings.

Are gyoza dumplings unhealthy? ›

The wonton skins you buy from the store, or make at home, are made from all-purpose flour, water, and a little salt. The dough is roughly equivalent to what you'd use to make a pastry, minus the fat. No, regular steamed or pan-fried gyoza aren't that unhealthy.

Is gyoza junk food? ›

Gyoza is not a novelty food item to begin with. Gyoza is a junk food. TEN-TEN 点天 of Osaka is the only gyoza I buy and consider worthwhile.

Are pork gyozas healthy? ›

Packed with protein and fiber, with fewer calories and less fat (no saturated) than conventional and competitor meats, it's the healthful way to be kinder to our planet. Lower in fat. No saturated fats. Fewer calories.

What is the real name for potstickers? ›

Potstickers, or jiaozi, are crescent-shaped Chinese dumplings that are first pan-fried and then steamed, which results in a dumpling that is crispy on one side and soft and chewy on the other. Fillings vary but are usually a combination of minced meat and/or vegetables, plus aromatics for enhanced flavor.

What is the difference between potstickers and dumplings? ›

Potstickers are always dumplings, but not all dumplings are potstickers. The biggest difference between these two are how they are cooked, but the cooking method has also changed the kinds of ingredients and preparation of both potstickers and dumplings over time. Potstickers are dumplings that are also pan-fried.

What is a Japanese gyoza? ›

gyoza. / (ɡiːˈəʊzə) / noun. a Japanese fried dumpling.

What do they call potstickers in Japan? ›

Gyoza are the Japanese version of jiaozi, or Chinese potstickers.

Are potstickers Chinese or Japanese? ›

For starters, potstickers are Chinese while gyoza are Japanese. And beyond that distinction, gyoza tend to be smaller than potstickers, with thinner and slightly more delicate wrappers. They also may be fully steamed, boiled, or fried, rather than cooked using a combination of pan-frying and steaming.

What is Japanese gyoza called? ›

In fact, gyoza is the Japanese pronunciation of jiaozi! There are a few theories of where the name “jiaozi” originated. One of the most popular theories is that jiaozi was named because of its unique horn shape since the Chinese word for “horn” is jiao.

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