📝 About This Recipe
While pan-fried gyoza are famous for their crunch, the 'Sui-Gyoza' style celebrates the delicate, slippery texture of a perfectly boiled dumpling. Originating from the Chinese 'shui jiao', this Japanese variation features a thinner skin and a juicy, ginger-forward pork filling that creates its own savory broth inside the wrapper. It is a comforting, soul-warming dish that highlights the purity of the ingredients and the elegance of the boiling technique.
🥗 Ingredients
The Filling
- 1/2 lb Ground Pork (at least 20% fat for juiciness)
- 2 cups Napa Cabbage (finely minced)
- 1/2 bunch Nira (Garlic Chives) (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger (grated into a paste)
- 1 clove Garlic (finely grated)
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce (Japanese style)
- 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 tablespoon Sake
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon White Pepper (ground)
Assembly and Cooking
- 35 pieces Gyoza Wrappers (round, preferably 'thick' style for boiling)
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch (for dusting the tray)
The Dipping Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Chinkiang Black Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon La-Yu (Japanese Chili Oil) (with crunchy bits)
- 1 piece Scallions (thinly sliced for garnish)
- 1 sprig Cilantro (optional garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
-
1
Place the minced napa cabbage in a bowl and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture, then squeeze the cabbage firmly with your hands to remove as much liquid as possible.
-
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, squeezed cabbage, chopped nira chives, grated ginger, and garlic.
-
3
Add the soy sauce, sake, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper to the meat mixture.
-
4
Using your hand or a spatula, mix the filling vigorously in one direction until it becomes pale, tacky, and develops a paste-like consistency. This 'kneading' step is vital for a juicy texture.
-
5
Prepare a small bowl of water for sealing and dust a large tray with cornstarch to prevent the finished gyoza from sticking.
-
6
Place a gyoza wrapper in your non-dominant hand and put about 1 rounded teaspoon of filling in the center.
-
7
Dip your finger in the water and moisten the outer edge of the top half of the wrapper.
-
8
Fold the wrapper over the filling and create 4-6 pleats along one side, pressing firmly to seal. Ensure there are no air bubbles trapped inside, as these can cause the gyoza to burst while boiling.
-
9
Place the finished gyoza on the dusted tray and repeat until all filling is used.
-
10
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Do not add salt to the water, as the wrappers already contain sodium.
-
11
Carefully drop the gyoza into the boiling water in batches of 8-10. Stir gently with a slotted spoon to ensure they don't stick to the bottom.
-
12
Once the gyoza float to the surface, continue to boil them for an additional 2-3 minutes. The wrappers should look slightly translucent and the filling should be firm.
-
13
While the gyoza boil, whisk together the black vinegar, soy sauce, and chili oil in a small serving bowl.
-
14
Use a slotted spoon to remove the gyoza from the water, draining well, and transfer them immediately to a serving plate or individual shallow bowls.
-
15
Garnish with sliced scallions and cilantro, and serve immediately while piping hot with the dipping sauce.
💡 Chef's Tips
Always squeeze the cabbage thoroughly; excess water will make the filling soggy and tear the wrappers. If you are using store-bought wrappers, look for those labeled 'Gyoza' or 'Potsticker' rather than 'Wonton' for the correct thickness. Don't overfill the dumplings; a teaspoon is usually plenty to ensure a perfect seal. When boiling, work in batches to prevent the water temperature from dropping too significantly. You can freeze these gyoza on the tray before boiling; just add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time when boiling from frozen.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of smashed cucumber salad (Pai Huang Gua) to provide a cooling contrast to the ginger. Pair with a crisp Japanese lager or a chilled Oolong tea to cleanse the palate. For a heartier meal, serve the boiled gyoza inside a light dashi or chicken broth as a dumpling soup. Drizzle with extra toasted sesame oil and a sprinkle of toasted white sesame seeds for added aroma.