gyoza

American  

[gyoh-zuh, gyaw-zah] / ˈgyoʊ zə, ˈgyɔˈzɑ /

noun

1. a Japanese dish consisting of dumplings typically filled with ground meat and vegetables and pan-fried, then steamed.

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gyoza British  

/ ɡiːˈəʊzə /

noun

1. a Japanese fried dumpling

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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)

Compare meaning

How does gyoza compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• gyoza vs. dumpling

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.

Example Sentences

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

There’s also tteokbokki, a traditionally spicy dish of stir-fried rice cakes, gyoza, fried spring rolls, shrimp tempura and Korean street toast.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2023

From soup dumplings to gyoza and ravioli: Here’s a guide to Los Angeles’ best dumplings, with many highlighted in video series “The Bucket List: Dumplings.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2023

And more variety, too: Korean mandoo, Japanese gyoza, Chinese baos and shumai, etc.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2022