Gyoza no Ohsho - CHEAP AND AUTHENTIC GYOZA
🥟 Introduction to the chain
Gyoza no Ohsho (餃子の王将) is a famous Japanese restaurant chain specializing in Japanese-style Chinese cuisine, particularly gyoza (a type of dumpling). Since its creation in Kyoto in 1967, it has become a must for a quick, tasty and economical meal.
Nationwide presence
With over 700 locations across Japan, Gyoza no Ohsho is present in almost every major city. In Kyoto, you’ll find branches near main railway stations, shopping malls and shopping streets.
What can we eat?
The signature dish is of course the plate of grilled gyoza, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. But the menu also includes stir-fried rice (chahan, similar to what we call “riz cantonais” in France), ramen, mapo tofu, stir-fried vegetable or meat dishes, and very popular fixed-price menus.
Ordering at Gyoza no Ohsho
Orders are taken at the table by calling the staff. Menus are generally illustrated and sometimes available in English. Some establishments also offer take-away. Dishes arrive quickly, making the place ideal for an express lunch or a simple dinner.
What is Chinese food in Japan?
Chinese cuisine in Japan, known as “chuka ryori” (中華料理), refers to Chinese-inspired dishes that have been adapted to Japanese tastes. Although inspired by traditional Chinese cuisine, it is distinguished by milder flavors, more moderate use of spices and typically Japanese presentation.
Among the most popular dishes in Japanese Chinese cuisine are :
Ramen (ラーメン): noodle soup inspired by northern China, incidentally sometimes also called “chuka soba”.
Gyoza (餃子): Japanese-style grilled ravioli, often with garlic.
Chahan (チャーハン): stir-fried rice.
Ebi chili (エビチリ): shrimp sautéed in a spicy tomato sauce.
Chuka” has become an integral part of Japanese culinary culture, and can be found in specialist restaurants as well as family-run chains.
Personal experience
Gyoza no Ohsho is a chain of Chinese restaurants that is very popular in Japan, especially with young men, wage earners and families, because it offers good food at low prices. On a weekday in June, at around 2pm, we went to a Gyoza no Ohsho restaurant located less than 10 minutes’ walk from the Shijo-Kawaramachi crossroads. Although the restaurant was quite busy, we were able to get in without waiting. It’s in a small alleyway slightly off the main avenue, and it’s not a very large establishment.
Inside, there’s a retro-style counter facing the kitchen and several tables. A few lone customers sat at the counter, while foreign tourists and Japanese occupied the tables. An illustrated menu is available on each table. Once you’ve made your choice, you place your order directly with the staff. The menu is very varied, including gyoza, ramen, stir-fried rice (chahan), as well as a wide choice of à la carte dishes. There are also a number of reasonably-priced combination menus.
The restaurant’s ambience is typical of Japanese working-class neighborhoods, with a simple, friendly atmosphere. All dishes are generally quite hearty, so those with small appetites should be careful not to order too much. For those wishing to discover the atmosphere of Japanese-style Chinese cuisine, a visit is certainly worthwhile.
Actual cost (example)
Supreme Fried Rice Set (Goku-Ō Chahan Set): ¥1,204
Mapo Tofu Set: ¥1,094
Draft Beer (medium size): ¥451×2
Total: ¥3,200 ≈ $19.81
(based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 161.5 yen)
Basic information
Basic information Location: Kyoto Station, Shijo, shopping malls
Average price: ¥500 – ¥1,000
Opening hours: 11:00 – 22:00
Recommended for: small budgets, students, quick meals
Official website: https://www.ohsho.co.jp/
Highlights
– Cheap and delicious gyoza
– Fast service
– Ideal for simple, hearty meals
Note
– Simple atmosphere, noisy depending on the time of day
– Few vegetarian options
