Chuka joint (中華食堂 / chuka shokudo) means Japanese-Chinese restaurant. It’s got a vibe. Like people don’t call diners restaurants, chuka joints are always chuka joints (calling shokudo / 食堂 “joint” is a big compromise).
A chuka joint must have four items: ramen, fried rice, karaage fried chicken, and gyoza. Gyoza is the ultimate Japanese comfort food. Given the fact that Kyoto is the birthplace of Japan’s biggest gyoza-focused Chinese chain Gyoza no Ohsho (餃子の王将), gyoza business competitions are tense in Kyoto.
Gyoza at Mr. Gyoza.
Gyoza business competitors such as gyoza specialty restaurants, 24/7 self-checkout gyoza stores, and gyoza vending machines are working everywhere. Above all is Mr. Gyoza. He is the one. The joint is believed to be a consensus among gyoza lovers in Kyoto.
Mr. Gyoza.
Mr. Gyoza’s menu.
Mr. Gyoza is a good and old hole-in-the-wall chuka joint. A chronic waiting line outside the joint proved its fame. Inside the joint was filled with garlicky and soy saucy air. Japanese J-pop songs (Kobukuro, JUJU, Hikaru Utada, etc) never stopped entertaining my ears. Neither did gyoza.
Gyoza with two sauces: vinegar soy sauce and miso sauce.
Cabbage, garlic, ginger, and pork.
It was the texture that was freaky good. Thin, crispy, and moist. All that happened in ethereally balanced integrity. Or I could just say “what just happened?” One sure thing was that only their kitchen can execute that way. That’s when I I understood the waiting line.
100% chuka joint style karaage fried chicken was authentically overcooked.
Mr. Gyoza (ミスター・ギョーザ) | 42 Karahashi Takadacho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 〒601-8464, Japan
Gyoza: ¥306 / $2.20 / £1.90 / €2
Karaage fried chicken: ¥612 / $4.40 / £4 / €3.80
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Mr. Gyoza (ミスター・ギョーザ) | 42 Karahashi Takadacho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 〒601-8464, Japan
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