Craving authentic, juicy gyoza in Tokyo? Discover Juicy Gyoza Dandan in Shinjuku, a local favorite offering delicious, budget-friendly dumplings perfect with a cold beer. Find out why it's a must-visit!
— like gyoza and ramen — actually have Chinese origins.
Japanese gyoza, in particular, are often quite affordable,
and you get a generous portion. This makes them perfect for a casual meal alongside a refreshing beer.
Today, I'll introduce you to a fantastic spot
for enjoying gyoza & beer in Shinjuku, Tokyo: Yukjup Gyoza Dandadan!
My Top Unsponsored Restaurant Pick in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Yukjup Gyoza Dandadan, Otakibashi-dori Branch
Operating Hours: 11:30 AM ~ 3:00 PM. 4:00 PM ~ 12:00 AM
Closed: No Regular Closures
Location: 5-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station
Special Note: After 3:00 PM, an adult seating charge of 198 yen applies.
Yukjup Gyoza Dandadan is a gyoza/Chinese cuisine chain
with branches all over Japan.
As such, it offers reasonable prices and consistent quality,
making it a popular spot among locals.
The Otakibashi-dori branch I visited
is located a 5-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station,
towards the edge of Shinjuku's bustling downtown area.
The exterior of the shop was brightly lit and inviting,
giving it the charm of a traditional izakaya.
Step Inside: The Ambiance of Yukjup Gyoza Dandadan
I visited just after 6 PM,
so there were hardly any customers inside yet.
The interior was more spacious than it looked from the outside, with over 10 four-person tables,
and the whole space exuded a Japanese izakaya vibe.
A dragon painting on the inner wall of the restaurant
also gave it a subtle touch of Chinese flair.
And the phrase written on the wall near the entrance was quite amusing:
餃子を愛し
We love Gyoza,
小滝橋通りを愛す
We love Otakibashi-dori.
それが我等の心意気
That is our spirit.
That is our mindset.
Yukjup Gyoza Dandadan, Otakibashi Branch
You can really feel the passion of the owner for gyoza and Otakibashi Street.
Let's Talk Food: The Yukjup Gyoza Dandadan Menu
📍 Next up, I'll share the menu information with you.
📍Menu (Key Items)
Juicy Gyoza (6 pcs) 614 yen
Boiled Dumplings 647 yen
Today's Horse Sashimi (2 Kinds) 1,307 yen
Chicken Wing Gyoza (1 pc) 329 yen
Yurinchi (Crispy Fried Chicken with Sauce) 900 yen
Jajangmyeon (Black Bean Noodles) 878 yen
Dandadan Highball 548 yen
Draft Beer 658 yen
Prices include tax
I've listed only some of the main menu items here.
With dumplings around 600 yen, and many other dishes typically
under 1,000 yen,
it's easy to order a variety of items without breaking the bank, right?
Beyond the main menu, they also had a separate special menu,
featuring unique options like Mala Tang Juicy Gyoza and Soy Milk Paitan Juicy Gyoza.
You can really try some distinctive dishes here!
What was truly unique was that they even had highballs made with premium spirits like Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Dassai!
If you're keen to try a variety of highballs,
I highly recommend ordering a few.
Just a heads-up, most of the physical menus didn't have pictures,
but if you scan the QR code in the photo,
you can check out the menu complete with visuals!
Our Order and Taste Review
So, let me tell you all about the dishes I ordered
and how absolutely delicious they were!
Since it's a dumpling spot, we found chopsticks and
three essential sauces tucked away on the side of our table: soy sauce, vinegar, and rayu (chili oil).
Personally, I highly recommend mixing about 2 parts soy sauce with 8 parts vinegar
to create a perfectly tangy dipping sauce!
We ordered some beer and a few types of dumplings,
and the beer arrived almost instantaneously after we placed our order!
The beer was incredibly crisp and cool, with a wonderfully smooth foam,
making my thirst vanish in an instant – it was pure bliss!
Next up, our Juicy Gyoza (6 pieces) and Chicken Wing Dumplings arrived!
Both dumpling dishes were a little on the pricier side,
but they certainly looked quite substantial and worth every penny!
First things first, I dove into the Juicy Gyoza,
which is actually one of the restaurant's signature dishes.
Unlike typical pan-fried dumplings, the skin seemed a bit thicker,
The bottom was perfectly crispy, and
the top looked like it had been delicately steamed with vapor alone.
Plus, the dumpling skin had a slightly earthy, yellowish hue,
giving it a unique feel compared to your average gyoza.
With one bite, I discovered tender, chunky meat,
and its rich, savory flavor perfectly complemented the tangy soy-vinegar dipping sauce.
While the 'juicy' part didn't quite gush as much as I'd anticipated,
the dumpling itself was incredibly flavorful.
And oh boy, did the beer just keep flowing down smoothly with every bite!
Next up, it was time to try the Chicken Wing Dumplings.
These came looking like perfectly deep-fried chicken wings, where the filling was stuffed right inside the wing skin,
As expected, the exterior was incredibly crispy, and they weren't too oily either!
While delicious, it felt more like savoring a perfectly cooked meatball
than a traditional dumpling.
I'd definitely recommend trying one to experience it,
but perhaps taste it first before committing to a second order!
It felt a little incomplete to leave after only having gyoza,
so **we decided to add on another beer and some Yuringi (crispy fried chicken with soy-ginger dressing)!**
The Yuringi at the next table looked absolutely mouth-watering,
so I couldn't resist and ordered it too!
It's essentially a mountain of perfectly crispy fried chicken topped with fresh onion slices and drenched in a savory sauce –
seriously, how could something so good *not* be delicious?!
The fried chicken skin was incredibly crispy and crunchy,
The meat itself was wonderfully tender, giving it a fantastic texture,
and paired with the sweet yet slightly tangy sauce,
and some onions, the combination was simply perfect.
The portion size is quite generous, roughly equivalent to half a small chicken,
so I'd recommend ordering this if you're visiting with two or more people.
A Culinary Gem Even Better Than Expected!
We initially went for a casual beer and some gyoza,
but Yukjeup Gyoza Dandan-dan turned out to be so much better
than we had imagined, with truly delicious food and beer.
Overall, the food quality was consistently excellent
and the prices were very reasonable.
What's more, it felt like a true local haunt rather than a tourist trap,
with many more locals enjoying their meals,
which was perfect for soaking in the authentic local atmosphere.
So, whether you're craving some fantastic gyoza and beer, or
you're eager to try authentic Japanese-style Chinese cuisine,
this is a restaurant I highly recommend!
If you find yourself exploring the Shinjuku area, definitely give it a visit!
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause strokes, memory impairment, or dementia. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects.
▼ Discover More Personally Reviewed Shinjuku Eateries in Tokyo ▼
What are the business hours of Jyu-Shi Gyoza Dandadan Otakibashi-dori and are there any charges applied during specific times?
Jyu-Shi Gyoza Dandadan Otakibashi-dori operates from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM, with no closing days. A seat charge of ~$1 per adult is applied after 3:00 PM.
What are the prices for Juicy Gyoza, Chicken Wing Gyoza, and Yurinchi at Jyu-Shi Gyoza Dandadan Otakibashi-dori?
At Jyu-Shi Gyoza Dandadan Otakibashi-dori, Juicy Gyoza (6 pieces) costs ~$4, Chicken Wing Gyoza (1 piece) costs ~$2, and Yurinchi costs ~$6. All these prices include tax.
Does Jyu-Shi Gyoza Dandadan Otakibashi-dori offer any special menu items or highballs other than regular gyoza?
Yes, at Jyu-Shi Gyoza Dandadan Otakibashi-dori, you can enjoy unique menu items such as Mala Tang Juicy Gyoza and Soy Milk Paitan Juicy Gyoza. They also offer special highballs made with premium alcoholic beverages like Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Dassai.
Are there any recommended sauce combinations to enjoy gyoza deliciously at Jyu-Shi Gyoza Dandadan Otakibashi-dori?
Yes, the article recommends a tangy sauce mixed with soy sauce at a 2:8 ratio with vinegar to enjoy gyoza even more deliciously. This sauce is said to pair well with the rich, juicy gyoza.
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