Japan’s famous gyoza chain with over 140 outlets is now in M’sia—are they really that good?

If you’re a gyoza lover like me, brace yourself because Japan’s famous gyoza chain, Gyoza Izakaya Dandadan, has finally made its way to Malaysia. Now open in Mont Kiara, KL, these crispy, juicy, sauce-free dumplings have earned their reputation as some of the juiciest gyozas in Japan. With over 140 outlets in Japan, this is their very first international expansion, and the excitement is real. What’s surprising, though, is that the opening came with barely any fanfare—perhaps because demand is already so high, they didn’t need to shout about it?

As a self-proclaimed gyoza connoisseur who survived on frozen dumplings while studying abroad (I know, desperate times, right?), I’m more than ready to dive into these sauce-free, flavour-packed beauties and see if they really live up to their claim of being the juiciest in Japan. Will they deliver the ultimate combo of crispy perfection, juicy goodness, and mouthwatering flavour, or will they fall flat and leave me craving something more?

But first, a little backstory

Image Credit: King Tolentino

Founded in 2001, Dandadan started with a vision to create a casual yet stylish restaurant centered around gyoza, a dish the founder loved deeply. After experimenting for a year to perfect the flavour and texture of his handmade gyoza, the first Dandadan restaurant opened in Chofu in 2011, under the name “Nikujiru Gyoza Seisakusho Dandadan Sakaba.” The aim was simple: to serve delicious dumplings that everyone could enjoy.

The name “Dandadan” was chosen for its catchy, rhythmic quality, hoping it would spread globally, much like the excitement of eating their signature gyoza. The name was meant to evoke a sense of movement and excitement, much like the rhythm of “Hop! Step! Jump!”

Their gyoza are crafted with a special whole wheat flour wrapper to enhance flavour and nutrition, designed to hold the delicious meat juices without feeling too heavy. Dandadan’s commitment is to provide a timeless dining experience that will be loved by locals for years to come, with a focus on quality, style, and customer satisfaction.

MFT’s review

What sets Dandadan’s gyozas apart is their recommendation to enjoy them plain, as they’re supposedly incredibly juicy and flavourful on their own. Let’s put that claim to the test.

Grilled Gyoza Dumpling (RM17)

These gyozas truly speak for themselves—juicy, piping hot, and bursting with flavour. The claims are spot on: they’re so tender and packed with meat juices that you really don’t need a dipping sauce. Still, Dandadan offers three sauces; soy sauce, chili oil, and vinegar. I mixed all three, and the combination added a delightful burst of flavour that perfectly complemented the gyoza. The pork filling was fresh, and the dumpling wrapper was the ideal thickness, holding its shape without being too dense. These simple, yet perfectly crafted gyozas definitely hit the spot, and I can understand why they recommend enjoying them plain.

Gyoza with Chili Oil and Chopped Green Onion (RM22)

This version featured a savoury twist with a dried shrimp topping, adding a unique depth to each bite. While the gyoza itself remained tender and juicy, I found that the shrimp didn’t enhance the experience as much as I’d hoped, and it lacked the element of spice I was looking forward to. The gyoza is good enough on its own, making the topping feel somewhat unnecessary. It reminded me of the prawn-filled chee cheong fun rolls you often find at dim sum shops. If you’re looking for variety, this could be an exciting option, but personally, I preferred the simplicity and flavours of the plain grilled version.

Gyoza with Spicy Cod Roe and Mayonnaise (RM22)

This one was the least memorable of the three. It had just a thin drizzle of what resembled mentaiko sauce, and while it was light and subtle, it didn’t really add much oomph. The saffron on top felt more like a decorative touch and didn’t contribute to the overall flavour profile. Maybe it’s just me being picky—hey, I had high hopes—but while I did enjoy it, for RM22, I was expecting a bit more punch from the sauce and toppings, and it didn’t quite hit the mark.

Juiciest gyozas in KL?

Now, I’ve never been to Japan, so I can’t exactly compare Gyoza Izakaya Dandadan’s gyoza to the real deal, but I can say with confidence that these gyozas are top-tier and very satisfying. Personally, I’d skip the ones with toppings and go straight for the Grilled Gyoza Dumpling, but that’s just me. The gyozas are incredibly juicy, rich in flavour, and the fillings are perfectly tender. I’m already craving more, and you can bet I’ll be back soon for round two.

Were these the juiciest gyozas I’ve ever had? Not quite. Surprisingly, I’ve had gyozas with even more depth at a little hole-in-the-wall spot in Korea. But here in KL? These are definitely the juiciest I’ve come across—so I’d say we’re still pretty lucky.

That said, if you’re planning to fill up on gyozas alone, it might be a bit of a splurge. For anyone who truly appreciates a well-crafted gyoza, Dandadan in Mont Kiara is definitely worth the visit.