Gyozas galore: This Novena eatery fills the Japanese dumplings with curry, salted egg, cheese and more

Photo: Coconuts Media
Photo: Coconuts Media

COCONUTS HOT SPOT — First, a disclaimer. Gyoza purists should look away now, because the dumplings served at new Japanese joint Chao Chao Gyoza are anything but traditional. But if you’ve ever wondered what other weird and wondrous stuffings a gyoza can hold, this chain restaurant — which has outlets in Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines — is where you can nibble your way through all the varieties.

Just a stone’s throw from Novena MRT, the casual izakaya is warm and welcoming with its cozy, red lantern-lit interior, where you can observe the action in the tiny kitchen. (There’s also a little outdoor seating area if you prefer to have your meal in quiet.)

Photo: Chao Chao Gyoza SG/Facebook
Photo: Chao Chao Gyoza SG/Facebook

As its name suggests, the menu is filled with abundant gyoza assortments — to sample them all, make sure you arrive with a couple friends so you can eat your way through the line-up.

You’ve got cabbage gyoza, ginger pork gyoza, curry pork gyoza, vegetarian gyoza with ponzu sauce, yuzu pepper pork gyoza, black garlic pork gyoza, spring onion pork gyoza, red pepper pork gyoza, and fried mushroom pork gyoza, just to name a few. These all come in three-piece or five- to six-piece options, with prices ranging from $3.90 to $6.90 for a plate. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

On the best-seller list ($3.90-$7.90 for three to five pieces), you’ll find ebi (prawn) gyoza, chicken and mozzarella cheese gyoza, salted egg chicken gyoza, and garlic pork gyoza with kimchi sauce.

The signature namesake gyoza. Photo: Chao Chao Gyoza SG/Facebook
The signature namesake gyoza. Photo: Chao Chao Gyoza SG/Facebook

There’s also their signature Chao Chao Gyoza ($4.90/eight, $7.90/sixteen) that claims to be handmade with less oil. It’s essentially a line of little dumplings encasing juicy minced pork stuck together in a row — you’ll have to tear them apart to eat each individual bite-sized one. We’ve had better gyozas elsewhere, but these make for a light snack to wash down with sips of umeshu or sparkling sake. And let’s be honest — you’re probably here for the novelty of it all anyway.

Still, that’s not all. More “creative” gyozas abound with fillings like onsen egg and cheese, cabbage with sriracha and mayo, pork gyoza with ponzu, and kani ebi stick (shrimp and crab) gyoza. Plus, you can get mixed gyoza platters ($7.90-$12.90), fried gyoza croquette ($6.90) stuffed with pork and potato, and even, er, fried chocolate gyoza ($6.90) served with Hokkaido milk ice cream.

Basically, anything that the chefs can stuff into gyoza skin, they will. You get the gist.

Don’t expect plump dumplings here though — these are more like one-bite pieces that don’t quite feel as substantial or fulfilling as they should. But we suppose the idea is for you to make space in your stomach so you can try as many flavors as you’d like. Maybe.

Just take note that the pint-sized gyozas — though decently priced — may result in quite a few re-orders, which can easily add up to a heftier bill than you expected. So keep an eye on that tab if you’re on a budget.

Photo: Chao Chao Gyoza SG/Facebook
Photo: Chao Chao Gyoza SG/Facebook

Oh, and if you thought that was it for the menu, we’re not even halfway there. Surprisingly, the tiny space whips up quite an extensive list of items, from snacks like quail egg ($3.90) and the deliciously gooey potato mochi cheese ($6.90) to soba noodles, salads, yakitori sticks, grilled seafood, and sushi. But we suppose the eatery’s namesake dish should be your first priority before you look elsewhere.

So yeah, if those baby gyozas don’t do the trick, just dig into your wallet and keep adding to the bill. (Or perhaps go next door to Two Men Bagel House, where you’re guaranteed to be well fed.)

 

FIND IT:
Chao Chao Gyoza is at #01-05 Royal Square @ Novena, 103 Irrawaddy Rd.
6352-0200. Daily 11am-midnight.
MRT: Novena



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