Koran Utsunomiya Main Store

Koran Utsunomiya Main Store is in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. Founded in 1959, this gyoza specialty restaurant closed once before making a comeback in 2010. It now has three locations in Utsunomiya City. The main store is in a residential neighborhood, about a 7-minute walk from Tobu-Utsunomiya Station.

The menu has three types: pan-fried gyoza, deep-fried gyoza, and boiled gyoza. Each dumpling is wrapped in a thicker skin made from a blend of several kinds of flour and filled with a vegetable-packed filling before being cooked. The filling is kneaded with sesame oil, which brings out its rich aroma. The limited-quantity deep-fried gyoza are made by frying fresh dumplings, giving them a crispy outside and pleasantly chewy inside. At Koran, the classic way to enjoy the gyoza is with the restaurant’s house-made sesame chili oil, chili oil made with sesame oil, or rock salt.

The shop’s exterior stands out with its large bright red sign. Inside, there are 24 seats in total, with both counter and table seating. It draws solo diners and groups alike, including both locals and tourists. Nearby spots such as Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine also make it easy to stop by before or after sightseeing.