Today, let me teach you how to fold gyoza or Japanese pan-fried potstickers at home! I’ve been folding gyoza since middle school and probably can make them with my eyes closed. My mom and I spent many evenings wrapping gyoza in her kitchen and I have a fond memory of our time. I hope you get to have those kitchen moments with your family and friends. This simple task brings us together and it’s a wonderful way to connect them.
Gyoza Recipes on JOC
Gyoza are very popular in Japanese cooking! You can customize different gyoza fillings with pork, shrimp, and napa cabbage and season with green onions (scallions), nira (garlic chives), and ginger. They include recipes for simple dipping sauces with vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, miso, and/or chili oil (ra-yu or layu), to your taste. I have several gyoza recipes (one for vegans, too) with helpful cooking tips that are popular among my readers. If you haven’t tried them yet, please check out the full recipes:
Classic Gyoza Vegetable Gyoza (vegan/vegetarian) Napa Cabbage Gyoza Gyoza with Wings Gyoza with Miso Dipping Sauce
How To Fold Gyoza
While Chinese pan-fried dumplings are folded several ways, Japanese gyoza use just two methods. One is to fold pleats toward one side (method 2 in the recipe card below) and the other is toward the center (method 1). I’ve been mostly using Method 1 for over 30 years!
Method 1: Pleats toward the Center
Method 2: Pleats to One Side
How To Store Gyoza
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or sprinkle it with potato starch (or cornstarch) so that gyoza won’t stick to the baking sheet. Place the gyoza flat side down and space them out. Cover with plastic wrap. Flash-freeze until they are firm and frozen. Then, take them out from the freezer and transfer them to space-efficient resealable freezer bags. You can store them for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
How To Make Gyoza Wrappers at Home
If you can’t get gyoza wrappers in Japanese or Asian grocery stores, make homemade gyoza wrappers. It’s fun and quite satisfying to be able to make your own wrappers at home with just 3 ingredients—flour, salt, and water! Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
