Tokyo’s most famed gyoza is no secret by now, as they rank high on most travel guides you’ll stumble upon. What doesn’t though is probably the real reason why you should visit Gyoza Lou at Harajuku area.
We tried a couple of times to catch this place out of the ordinarily busy times of the day but with no luck. Then on one late afternoon and with no particular will we found ourselves around Omotesando, minutes away from the small alleys of Harajuku, we struck gold. The place had no queue, still a bit busy, and we quickly made it to one of the tables for feasting over some delicious dumplings… and more!
The restaurant is an all gyoza establishment with a choice between steamed or fried – we got both of course- but also features what we thought of the best dishes of all. Minced meat over fresh steamed beansprouts… yum! Patrons come and go fast in this place as we watched tables roll over, with some brave ones sitting at the counter next to where the actions takes place.
The smells and aroma of an open kitchen are undoubtedly a strong feature at Gyoza Lou so be prepared – this is not the place for a dress-up dinner! The gyoza were crispy on the outside with a hot pork filling inside, just enough to make your palate tingle. The steamed ones were more tender and soft, leaving a more chewy feeling. Prices are quite low for Tokyo standards with both portions coming in 6 pieces each.
Minced meat sauce over steamed beansprouts
