gyoza
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of gyoza
First recorded in 1965–70; from Japanese gyoza, from Chinese dialect (Shandong) giǎoze ( Mandarin jiǎozi ), equivalent to giǎo “stuffed dumpling” + ze “little child” (used as a diminutive suffix)
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Explanation
A gyoza is a Japanese dumpling made of meat or vegetable filling inside a very thinly rolled piece of dough. Whether boiled or fried, gyoza are delicious. The Japanese gyōza is derived from the Mandarin jiǎozi (and the two words are commonly written with the same Chinese characters). The gyoza was first developed during World War II, when Japanese soldiers returned from China with recipes for the traditional Chinese New Year dumpling, jiaozi. The Japanese version is similar but with a more garlicky filling inside a thinner wrapper. Gyoza is usually served with a soy dipping sauce.
Vocabulary lists containing gyoza
Foods from Asia
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5th Grade World Cuisine, List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Venice Ramen is good too, and they do these things called jumbo gyoza that are absolutely delicious.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
Side dishes such as gyoza and ramen offerings were mostly untouched, according to Uttz, adding that the 3.5% price lift is a blended figure of all the increases.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
And if you are a specialist maker of Japanese dumplings, like the brand Osaka Ohsho, then selling a packet of gyoza with some damaged is a big no-no.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2024
Japanese dishes that have become popular in the US, UK and Australia — such as ramen noodles and gyoza dumplings — are a product of the movements of people, foodstuffs and ideas across national borders.
From Salon ● May 30, 2023
The White Center Food Bank presents a family-friendly event and fundraiser with more than 25 restaurants featuring roasted corn, banh mi sandwiches, gyoza dumplings and more 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 23, 2022
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
