Eat the fried dumplings around Kamata. A gourmet writer carefully selects the best restaurants, including the top three!

What are the "big three" of Kamata, the city where fried dumplings were born?

You can find dumplings with crispy wings in Chinese restaurants all over Japan. In addition to their striking appearance, the contrast between the crispy wings and the juicy filling makes this a fun dish. In fact, these gyoza dumplings with wings are said to have originated in Kamata, at a restaurant called "Ni Hao" that was founded in 1983.

The fried dumplings, which were invented by Isao Yagi, the founder of "Nihao", inspired by the grilled meat buns of Dalian, China, became an instant hit when they were introduced. Following the success of "Nihao", restaurants offering fried dumplings with crispy wings began to open one after another in the city of Kamata. Gradually, the city came to be known as the city of dumplings.

The boom-starting "Nihao" and the two other stores run by Yagi's brothers and relatives are commonly known as the "Big Three," and are visited by many customers every day as they offer affordable and delicious food for the common people. This time, we have picked out five recommended stores, including the Big Three, which are essential when talking about gyoza in Kamata.

[Nihao Main Branch] A well-balanced and gentle flavor. The originator of fried dumplings with crispy wings

Let's start with Nihao, the top of the Big Three. The main store, located right next to Keikyu Kamata Station, is the headquarters of Nihao, which has 11 stores in Tokyo. Renovated in 2016, both the exterior and interior are stylishly decorated in chic colors. There is also a takeout window.

Their specialty "fried dumplings with crispy wings" (5 pieces for 330 yen, tax included) are made entirely by hand, without the use of machines, from preparation to cooking. They use lean pork and fat in a ratio of about 7:3. The only vegetables they use are cabbage, Chinese cabbage, and green onions, with no chives or garlic. The crispy wings and chewy thin skin, as well as the juicy yet gentle flavor, create a unique balance.

The experience of tasting the original fried dumplings while feeling the deep history behind them is truly special.

Nihao Main Store

[Konparu Main Building] Plump and extremely satisfying. Chewy Chinese cabbage-based gyoza

The second of the three great fried dumpling restaurants is Konparu. It is located in the arcade shopping street right next to Keikyu Kamata Station, and its glittering exterior catches your eye. The restaurant has two separate entrances on the upper and lower floors, and the first floor is a more casual restaurant. The second floor is equipped with round tables and private rooms in addition to regular table seating, making it an authentic Chinese restaurant.

The chewy "Fried Gyoza with Wings" (6 pieces for 330 yen, tax included) is wrapped in skin and cooked after an order is placed, and is a dish filled with filling, plump, and covered with crispy wings. The filling also does not contain garlic, and Chinese cabbage is used instead of cabbage, making it refreshing and juicy. On the other hand, green onion oil is added to the vegetables and Shaoxing wine is added to the ground pork to add richness. In addition to the vinegar and soy sauce on the table, there is also a sauce with plenty of garlic, so you can change the flavor to your liking.

By the way, all three of the gyoza restaurants in Kamata are run by relatives of Isao Yagi, the founder of Nihao, but the ingredients and seasonings are different. It would be interesting to try all three restaurants and compare the tastes.

Konparu Main Building

[Welcome Main Branch] Overflowing meat juice. Impressive and skillful gyoza

The third of the three is "Huang Yong". The shop is located on the first floor of the Consumer Life Center in Ota Ward, about a three-minute walk from Kamata Station on the JR and Tokyu lines. Although the store is spacious, it is so popular that it is always full of customers.

The "Fried Gyoza with Wings" (5 pieces for 300 yen, tax included) is made with a filling of minced pork belly and chicken, as well as a variety of other ingredients such as Chinese cabbage and Chinese chives. It is also mixed with a soup made from boiled Chinese herbs and ginger, giving it a distinctive, impactful flavor. The meat juices overflowing from the dumplings are irresistible, to the point that you'd think they were Xiaolongbao dumplings. There is also a garlicky gyoza sauce available, but the gyoza itself is well seasoned, so try eating it without any sauce first.

By the way, none of the three Gosanke restaurants specialize in gyoza, but are popular Chinese restaurants. There are multiple branches in the area, and they offer a wide variety of other dishes on the menu besides gyoza, so why not try a few?

Welcome Main store

[Shunkaen Kamata branch] Dumplings with plenty of filling and a variety of other dumplings

Don't miss out on Shunkoen Kamata, which was opened by the son of the founder of Konparu. It is conveniently located just a three-minute walk from Kamata Station. The bright and spacious restaurant has table seating, round tables, and private rooms with TVs, making it suitable for a variety of occasions.

The "fried gyoza" (5 pieces for 352 yen, tax included) has beautifully cut golden brown wings and an impressive round shape. The inside of the handmade dumpling skin is generously packed with ingredients, giving the gyoza a taste of the Konparu lineage. When you put your chopsticks into it, you can taste the juicy meat. The bean paste is made with carefully selected ingredients and the amount of cabbage and Chinese cabbage used changes with the seasons. Another unique feature is that sugar is added to the ingredients.

In addition to the standard fried and boiled dumplings, the restaurant also offers a lineup of nine different types of dumplings, including "steamed dumplings with shrimp" (605 yen, tax included). You can enjoy a wide variety of dumplings, which have many repeat customers.

Shunkaen Kamata store

[Korakuen Kamata West Exit Store] Great value fried dumplings with crispy wings packed with the delicious flavor of meat

The last recommended gyoza restaurant is the Chinese-style izakaya "Kourakuen," located just a one-minute walk from Kamata Station.
"Kamata West Exit Store". Here you can enjoy authentic Northeastern Chinese cuisine prepared by a chef from Dalian, China. The interior of the restaurant is calming with a natural and deep green color, and has a homey atmosphere. It is an atmosphere where you can enjoy yourself with easy.

The "handmade fried dumplings," which are carefully prepared every day, are an incredible price of 275 yen (tax included) for five pieces. The chewy skin is filled with a rich, meaty filling. The direct flavor of the meat and the sweetness of the vegetables are condensed into this dish. It is a very cost-effective option.

The dumplings are small and easy to eat, and the price is reasonable. What's more, the izakaya is open until the morning and has a wide selection of drinks. So, you'll likely find yourself enjoying the golden combination of beer and gyoza over and over again.

Kohakuen Kamata West Exit Store

Winged dumplings have developed uniquely in Japan. All of the restaurants in Kamata introduced here are casual, but each one has its own history and story to share. They are the perfect accompaniment to rice and beer, or an unpretentious main dish. Enjoy them in any way you like, and dig into these piping hot, crispy, juicy dumplings!

*Some content was updated on September 7, 2022.

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