Menu Lineup Revealed! 'Craft Gyoza Fest® SAITAMA 2026' Returns After Two Years! Discover Your Favorite Gyoza in Saitama-Shintoshin!

From Wednesday, October 7 to Monday, October 12, 2026 (6 days), the 'Craft Gyoza Fest SAITAMA 2026' (https://craftgyoza.jp) will be held at Keyakihirano in Saitama-Shintoshin, and the full vendor menu has been officially announced. Featuring 12 gyoza vendors plus a fried rice booth and 3 craft beer breweries, the event brings together the latest frontier of craft gyoza—from nationwide hits that caused lines in 2026 to exciting new debuts. Returning to Saitama-Shintoshin after a two-year hiatus, this autumn-only lineup invites visitors to fully enjoy gourmet gyoza paired with craft beer.

Additionally, a new initiative launches this year: the 'Reserve Seat' will be available for three days only—Saturday, October 10, Sunday, October 11, and Monday, October 12 (a national holiday). These pre-reserved seats offer a comfortable and stress-free dining experience, complete with a special wristband granting unlimited access to the fast lane for priority ordering.

The Cutting Edge of Gyoza Evolution! Must-Try 'Neo Gyoza' Where Creativity Meets Innovation!

【GYOZA SHACK】, making its debut at the Craft Gyoza Fest series this year, appears for the first time in Saitama. Their 'Ultra Coarsely Ground Pork Gyoza with Korean Seaweed & Cream Sauce' features thick, chunky pork, topped with nori cream sauce and crispy Korean seaweed—an eye-opening new taste sensation. Pair it with the 'Italian Tomachii Gyoza,' layered with vibrant tomato & basil sauce and melty cheese, delivering a pizza-like experience in gyoza form. 【Gyoza no Miya Denden】's 'Rich Cheese & Bursting Juicy Round Gyoza' features a chewy, tapioca-flour-infused skin that releases a flood of fatty pork juice upon biting, perfectly complemented by a smooth blend of cheddar and parmesan cheese sauce. Also featured is the locally inspired 'Koedo Black Pork Garlic Butter Pan-Fried Gyoza,' made with Koedo Black Pork from Kawagoe, Saitama, featuring a crispy 'wing' and rich garlic butter aroma.

【Gyoza to Wine: Kawa to An】's 'Umami-Packed Chewy Beef Tongue Gyoza,' marinated overnight in Hokkaido kelp and salt koji, became a 2026 hit across Japan. The fragrant, sesame-oil-kneaded filling pairs perfectly with a special scallion-salt sauce and craft beer. Another Hokkaido specialty, the 'Fried Butter Soy Corn Gyoza' made with sweet Tokachi corn, delivers a crispy texture and rich butter-soy glaze—a true taste of Hokkaido.

Evolved Local Gyoza: Regional Pride and Artisan Craftsmanship Captivate Gyoza Lovers!

No local gyoza festival is complete without Utsunomiya. 【Utsunomiya Gyoza Hachiman Gyoza】's signature 'Juicy Explosion Gyoza' uses additive-free wrappers filled with fresh vegetables, best enjoyed with their recommended salt-vinegar-pepper sauce. For those who prefer lighter flavors, the 'Perilla-Infused Grated Ponzu Gyoza' is a standout—featuring 1.5 shiso leaves per dumpling in a chicken-based filling, topped with a special ponzu sauce approved by the Utsunomiya Gyoza Association. This is their first appearance in Saitama. 【Kyoto Gyoza Miyako Panda】's 'Refreshing Lemon Gyoza' dazzles with its sparkling lemon jelly topping. The filling blends fresh lemon peel with 'Murayama Zo-shu'’s authentic Chidori vinegar, creating a delightfully crisp aftertaste. Another Kyoto specialty, the 'White Vinegar Miso Nine-Negi Kyoto Gyoza,' generously uses Kyoto’s famed Kujo negi in both filling and topping, enhanced by a mild white vinegar miso sauce that highlights the scallion’s natural sweetness.

【Hakata Yassuke】's 'Hakata One-Bite Gyoza' is known for its round, bite-sized form, bursting with the sweetness of Japanese cabbage and juicy pork—Hakata’s classic. Don’t miss the pink 'Spicy Cod Roe & Cheese Gyoza,' where the spicy richness of mentaiko meets creamy cheese in perfect harmony. 【Jagena】's 'Shinshu Wasabi Beef Gyoza' features a beef-based blend with naturally infused wasabi flavor, delivering a clean, refreshing finish. Pair it with the 'Shinshu Miso Sauce Negi Gyoza,' steamed then fried for a flaky, pastry-like texture, topped with crunchy scallions and a sweet-and-tangy house-made miso sauce—perfect with beer.

Artisan Gyoza: Where Expertise and Technique Shine! A Lineup of Masterful Creations That Inspire Awe!

【Tamagawa Seinikuten】's '100% Japanese Black Beef Coarsely Ground Gyoza' resembles a mini hamburger, showcasing rich meatiness from two types of coarse grind—only possible from a trusted butcher. Their 'Chunky Meat Keema Curry Gyoza' blends 20 spices including turmeric and cumin, with a filling of slowly sautéed pork, chicken, and onions for deep umami and lingering spice. 【Hong Kong Dim Sum Lou】's 'Plump Shrimp Thin-Skinned Baked Xiao Long Bao' is handcrafted by skilled dim sum chefs. Each bite releases juicy shrimp flavor, accented by crunchy bamboo shoots. Also featured is the 'Luxury Abalone Baked Gyoza,' packed with abalone, coarsely ground pork, and wood ear mushrooms—offering both chewy texture and rich flavor.

Debuting at the festival, 【Yoichi Gyoza Daioh】 presents the 'Thin-Skinned Vegetable Gyoza with Rock Salt,' highlighting the natural sweetness of high-Brix vegetables with nothing but rock salt—minimalist elegance at its finest. Their 'Sticky Yam Gyoza' features domestically grown yam marinated in soy sauce for two days, delivering a uniquely sticky texture, enhanced with crunchy vegetables and aonori, served in an okonomiyaki-style with sauce and mayo. 【Nikutama Soba Ochi × Asakusa Kaikarou】's 'Premium Umami Meat Juice Gyoza' blends ramen-style back fat and house-made soy sauce into Chiba’s premium 'Butsumi Hokuso Pork,' creating a gyoza with both chewy resilience and a crisp sear. Complement it with the 'Honkarebushi & True Kombu Soup Ginger Gyoza,' featuring aromatic Kochi ginger, yuzu zest, Kujo negi, and a deeply savory dashi from honkarebushi and kombu.

【STANDIONE】, making its Saitama debut, offers a 'Housemade Pan-Fried Gyoza' that balances chewy skin, crisp sear, and juicy filling in perfect harmony. The meaty filling resembles nikuman, paired with a custom 1.8mm-thick wheat-flavored wrapper—so flavorful it needs no dipping sauce. Their 'Red Ginger Gyoza' features generous red ginger with katsuobushi and kombu dashi, lightened with yam powder for a fluffy, juicy texture and refreshing finish. 【Craft Hotel: Gyoza & Chahan】's 'Zaku Swamp! Vegetable-Packed Gyoza' delivers addictive crunch from four coarsely chopped vegetables blended with savory pork. Pair it with their 'Specialty Fried Rice' or bold 'Garlic Rice'—perfect as a side or a meal closer.

Craft Beer and Desserts to Enjoy with Gyoza!

Three distinctive breweries converge for this edition. 【hokkaido brewing】 from Otaru, Hokkaido, offers colorful, fruit-based beers that pair perfectly with gyoza and casual dining.