How to Make the Perfect Pan Fried Gyoza
Japanese · Medium · 45 min · 4 servings
Gyoza are Japanese dumplings filled with a savory mixture of ground pork and cabbage wrapped in thin dough and cooked until crispy on the bottom. The combination of pan frying and steaming creates a wonderfully textured dumpling that is crispy underneath and tender on top.
Why this recipe works
This Pan Fried Gyoza recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 310 calories with 18g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 20 pieces gyoza wrappers
- 200 g ground pork
- 1 cup napa cabbage finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Filling
Combine ground pork, finely chopped napa cabbage, minced garlic, soy sauce, and half the sesame oil in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until everything is well incorporated and the mixture is uniform. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to help the flavors meld.
Step 2: Fold the Gyoza
Place a gyoza wrapper in your palm and add one teaspoon of filling to the center. Dampen the edges with a little water and fold the wrapper in half. Pleat the front edge of the dumpling toward the back to seal securely. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
Step 3: Pan Fry and Steam
Heat remaining sesame oil in a non stick skillet over medium high heat. Arrange gyoza flat side down in a single layer and fry for 2 minutes until golden brown on the bottom. Add a quarter cup of water to the pan and immediately cover with a lid to steam for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Remove the lid and allow any remaining water to evaporate completely. Continue cooking for 1 additional minute until the bottoms are crispy again. Slide gyoza onto a plate crispy side up and serve with soy sauce or ponzu dipping sauce.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- ground pork → ground chicken or firm tofu crumbled for a lighter or vegetarian option
- napa cabbage → green cabbage works well and is more widely available
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overfilling the gyoza wrappers which causes them to burst open during cooking
- Not adding enough water during the steaming step which leaves the filling undercooked
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 310 calories, 18g protein, 28g carbs, 14g fat, 2g fiber.
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