
Any place that advertises beer and dumplings is already a winner in my mind. Harajuku Gyoza not only combines these two delicacies, but has some awesome gyoza logic on its website:
"You are like a hungry salaryman in a Japanese izakaya. You are thirsty and your appetite is big like Godzilla. So try grilled gyoza."
Like Godzilla, we swung on down to try the brand new Harajuku Gyoza in Brisbane's South Bank. How did it fare with our monster appetites? Let's find out.
"You are like a hungry salaryman in a Japanese izakaya. You are thirsty and your appetite is big like Godzilla. So try grilled gyoza."
Like Godzilla, we swung on down to try the brand new Harajuku Gyoza in Brisbane's South Bank. How did it fare with our monster appetites? Let's find out.
Stepping into Harajuku Gyoza is like stepping into an alternate quirky universe. The lights dim and brighten at a slow pace, you find yourself suddenly grooving to some J-POP and you get a chorus of "Irasshaimase!" from all staff on deck. All of these elements combined cannot help but put a smile on your face.
Being a gyoza place, we decided this would be a good starting point, and kicked off with:
These little parcels of goodness were amazingly tasty. I loved the gamey flavour of the duck which was really nicely peppered. The gyoza wraps themselves were fresh and delightfully crispy on the outside.
Being a gyoza place, we decided this would be a good starting point, and kicked off with:
- Grilled duck gyoza
These little parcels of goodness were amazingly tasty. I loved the gamey flavour of the duck which was really nicely peppered. The gyoza wraps themselves were fresh and delightfully crispy on the outside.
The menu at Harajuku Gyoza does extend from dumplings though. Below we had:
Each of these dishes were stellar. The eggplant was crisp on the outside but nice and soft on the inside, and was served up with a really tasty sweet soy sauce.
The ramen was fantastic as well, with a broth that you knew must have been stewing away for hours with all of the flavours it had going on. The pork itself was top quality and the egg had a perfectly runny yolk that just made this dish.
I loved the white sesame salad, which was kind of like a Japanese coleslaw, but with a nutty, sesame dressing that was very, very moreish.
- Tempura Eggplant
- Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen
- White Sesame Salad
Each of these dishes were stellar. The eggplant was crisp on the outside but nice and soft on the inside, and was served up with a really tasty sweet soy sauce.
The ramen was fantastic as well, with a broth that you knew must have been stewing away for hours with all of the flavours it had going on. The pork itself was top quality and the egg had a perfectly runny yolk that just made this dish.
I loved the white sesame salad, which was kind of like a Japanese coleslaw, but with a nutty, sesame dressing that was very, very moreish.
We got the Japanese beers flowing for us too, ordering some Sapporos and Kirins throughout the night. For a token health option, tried out the iced green tea too which was unsweetened and very refreshing.
What I was really excited about though, was the prospect of dessert gyoza:
This salted caramel gyoza was decadent. The caramel was dark and rich, which was offset nicely by the vanilla ice cream. The gyozas themselves reminded me of fried wontons, except without any residual oiliness. Instead, they had a nice flaky pastry finish to them.
What I was really excited about though, was the prospect of dessert gyoza:
- Salted Caramel Gyoza with Vanilla Ice Cream
This salted caramel gyoza was decadent. The caramel was dark and rich, which was offset nicely by the vanilla ice cream. The gyozas themselves reminded me of fried wontons, except without any residual oiliness. Instead, they had a nice flaky pastry finish to them.
If you're ever after a fun and quirky night out in Brisbane-town, you would be hard pressed to find a place that surpasses Harajuku Gyoza. Fueled by tasty Japanese treats and beers, you will develop a new taste for happy electronica before you know it.
As the guys from Harajuku Gyoza say:
"It must be perfect or we get your sad face. We want your happy face."
You have my happy face, you skyscraper-Godzilla-beer-and-dumpling-land-of-my-dreamy-time.
As the guys from Harajuku Gyoza say:
"It must be perfect or we get your sad face. We want your happy face."
You have my happy face, you skyscraper-Godzilla-beer-and-dumpling-land-of-my-dreamy-time.