Juicy Gyoza Dandadan Shinjuku: Tokyo's Must-Try Dumplings & Beer

Tokyo Shinjuku's Best Gyoza Spot

Juicy Gyoza Danda-dan: My Honest Review!

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Text/Photos ©HiBooboo

Interestingly, many famous Japanese dishes,

like gyoza and ramen, actually have Chinese origins.

Japanese gyoza, in particular, is often budget-friendly

and generously portioned, making it perfect to enjoy with a casual beer.

Today, I'll introduce you to Juicy Gyoza Danda-dan,

a fantastic spot in Tokyo's Shinjuku that's just perfect for enjoying gyoza and beer!

My Top Pick in Tokyo Shinjuku: An Honest Review!

Juicy Gyoza Danda-dan Otakibashi-dori Branch

Opening Hours: 11:30 AM ~ 3:00 PM. 4:00 PM ~ 12:00 AM Closed: None Location: 5-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station Special Note: A seating charge of 198 yen applies for adults after 3:00 PM

Juicy Gyoza Danda-dan is a gyoza and Chinese food chain

with branches all over Japan.

It's a popular spot among locals, thanks to its reasonable prices

and consistently good taste.

The Otakibashi-dori branch I visited is just a

5-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station,

located at the edge of Shinjuku's bustling downtown area.

The bright, sparkling exterior of the shop even gave off a vibe

reminiscent of a traditional izakaya.

Juicy Gyoza Danda-dan: Inside the Restaurant

I visited just after 6 PM,

so there were hardly any customers inside yet.

The interior was surprisingly spacious, with over 10 four-person tables,

feeling much larger than it appeared from outside, and truly embracing that Japanese izakaya atmosphere.

What really stood out was the dragon painting on the back wall,

which added a subtle touch of Chinese flair.

And the slogan written on the wall near the entrance was quite charming:

餃子を愛し

To love gyoza,

小滝橋通りを愛す

to love Otakibashi-dori.

それが我等の心意気

That is our spirit.

그것이 우리들의 마음가짐이다.

That is our resolve.

Juicy Gyoza Danda-dan Otakibashi Branch

You could really feel the owner's passion for both gyoza

and the Otakibashi area.

Juicy Gyoza Danda-dan: The Menu

📍 Next up, I'll share the menu details with you.

📍The Menu (Main Dishes)

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Juicy Gyoza (6 pieces) 614 yen

Boiled Dumplings 647 yen

Today's Horse Sashimi (2 kinds) 1,307 yen

Chicken Wing Gyoza (1 piece) 329 yen

Yurinchi 900 yen

Jajangmyeon 878 yen

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Danda-dan Highball 548 yen

Draft Beer 658 yen

Prices include tax

I've listed just a few of the main menu items here.

With dumplings around 600 yen and many other dishes often

under 1,000 yen, it's fantastic for trying out a variety of items without breaking the bank, wouldn't you agree?

Beyond the standard menu, they also have special dishes!

You can try truly unique options like Mala Tang Juicy Gyoza and Soy Milk Paitan Juicy Gyoza.

What's especially cool about their highballs is that they offer options with

premium spirits like Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Dassai. It was really interesting to see them using such high-end liquors!

If you're keen to try a variety of unique highballs,

I highly recommend ordering a few.

Just a heads-up: most of the physical menu items didn't have pictures,

but if you scan the QR code in the photo,

you can explore the menu with images!

My Order & Taste Review

So, let me tell you all about the dishes I ordered

and what I thought of them!

Since it's a dumpling house, you'll find chopsticks tucked away

at each seat, along with three essential sauces: soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil (rayu).

Personally, I highly recommend mixing a tangy sauce with about 2 parts soy sauce

and 8 parts vinegar!

I ordered a beer and a couple of dumpling varieties, and the beer

arrived almost immediately after I placed the order.

It was incredibly cold with a smooth foam,

and it felt like my thirst vanished instantly!

Next up were six pieces of juicy Gyoza and the Chicken Wing Dumplings.

Both dumplings were a bit on the pricier side,

but they certainly looked substantial and impressive.

First, I dove into the restaurant's signature dish:

the juicy Gyoza.

Unlike typical fried dumplings (gunmandu), these had a slightly thicker wrapper,

crispily fried on the bottom, while the top part appeared steamed.

What also caught my eye was the wrapper's slightly earthy, yellowish hue,

giving them a unique feel compared to standard gyoza.

With one bite, I noticed the chunky meat filling,

and its richness paired perfectly with the soy-vinegar sauce.

While it wasn't as explosively juicy as I'd imagined,

the dumpling itself was quite delicious.

The beer just flowed down so smoothly with it!

Next, I tried the Chicken Wing Dumplings.

These looked like chicken wings with the filling stuffed inside the skin,

then deep-fried until wonderfully crispy.

True to their appearance, they were perfectly crispy on the outside and surprisingly not too greasy.

They were tasty, but it felt more like eating a meatball

rather than a traditional dumpling.

I'd recommend trying one for the experience,

but if you're thinking of ordering more, make sure you really like it first!

Since it felt a bit incomplete to leave after just having gyoza,

I decided to order another beer and some Yu Lin Ji.

I saw someone at the next table enjoying the Yu Lin Ji,

and it looked so delicious that I had to try it myself!

It's a dish piled high with perfectly fried chicken,

topped with onion slices and drizzled with sauce –

there's just no way it could taste bad!

The fried chicken skin was incredibly crispy,

while the inside was delightfully tender, creating a fantastic texture.

And with the sweet and slightly tangy sauce alongside the onions?

A match made in heaven!

The portion size feels like almost half a small chicken,

so I'd recommend ordering it if you're visiting with two or more people.

A restaurant that tasted even better than expected!

We popped into **Yukjeup Gyoza Danda Dan**

**for a casual gyoza and beer, and both the food and the beer were so much better than we anticipated!**

Overall, the food quality was excellent,

and the prices were very reasonable.

What's more, it felt like a real local gem –

less known to tourists and filled with locals,

which made for a wonderful atmosphere.

If you're looking to enjoy gyoza with a refreshing beer, or if you want to try Japanese-style Chinese food,

I highly recommend this spot.

Make sure to visit if you're exploring the Shinjuku area!

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to stroke, memory impairment, or dementia. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects.

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▼ Discover more of my personally-funded Shinjuku Tokyo restaurant finds ▼

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