“Gyoza matches excellently to a beer.” Let’s explore Marusan Gyoza in Fukuoka. It is a hidden restaurant a bit away from Nakasu. Nakasu is Hakata’s night town. Marusan Gyoza is a place locals love to visit many times.
Fukuoka gourmets enjoy ramen noodles and Motsunabe. They also enjoy Mizutaki and delicious Gyoza. Hakata Gyoza is often called bite-size Gyoza. Many are small so ladies can eat them easily.
Marusan Gyoza offers soft chewy crispy dumplings. Juices flow out of the ingredients. It is Hakata’s iron pot Gyoza. The gyoza looks similar to Tetsunabe’s gyoza. Some people prefer the gyoza here.
Yuzu Kosho and chili oil are available. It may be a good idea to compare them. A recommended combination is Yuzu Kosho and gyoza sauce.
Fukuoka is the largest city on Kyushu. Kyushu is Japan’s southwestern island. Fukuoka flips the script on the idea that bigger is better when it comes to gyoza. One of Fukuoka’s culinary claims to fame is hitokuchi gyoza. Hitokuchi means bite-sized. This is not restaurants skimping on portion size. An order of hitokuchi gyoza comes with more dumplings than regular orders elsewhere.
Hitokuchi gyoza reflects Fukuoka’s special appreciation. You can pop these gyoza into your mouth whole. They are an iconic symbol of food culture. One restaurant has been using the same recipe for over 70 years.
Hountei proudly proclaims “Birthplace of Hakata hitokuchi gyoza”. The restaurant Hountei opened in 1949. Its founder returned to Japan after living in Manchuria. Hountei created Hakata hitokuchi gyoza. Hakata is Fukuoka’s downtown. They are still serving them up today.
There is no hard science behind the appeal of hitokuchi gyoza. Common logic says their bite-size makes them a great side dish. A larger gyoza means doubling up on flavor. Or you must return to the remaining half after it gets cold. With hitokuchi gyoza you can alternate between gyoza and something else. You still enjoy the dumplings at their optimal deliciousness. You can order 10 hitokuchi gyoza by themselves. You can also get them in sets with ramen or other Chinese dishes.
Their one-bite size makes them an excellent snack with a cold beer. Hountei’s hitokuchi gyoza are different from other gyoza in Japan. They use minced pork onion and leeks. They do not contain any garlic. The result is a delicious flavor. It does not overstay its welcome. Their smaller size and cleaner aftertaste let them play nicely. They complement whatever else you might be eating or drinking.
Hountei has three branches. The original location is between the Hakatagawa and Nakagawa rivers. Another branch is in the Hakata Deitos shopping center. It is attached to Hakata Station. The Shinkansen stops here in Fukuoka. If you’re pressed for time it’s a great place to try Fukuoka food history. Hitokuchi gyoza don’t take very long to eat.
Marusan Gyoza offers a taste of this culinary history. It is a place to enjoy the local favorite. This is Hakata’s unique gyoza culture. Enjoy the crispy chewy and juicy flavors. Savor the combination of Yuzu Kosho and gyoza sauce. It is a culinary experience you won’t want to miss.