Take the west exit from Yoyogi Station and less than a minute’s walk away is Sosan no Mise, a two-storey Taiwanese gyoza and ramen restaurant that has been a local favourite for 15 years. The gyoza here will appeal to those who like their dumplings on the heftier side.
The yakigyoza, which are shaped like round cushions, are steamed before pan-fried, providing a contrast between the soft skin and crisp base. The boiled dumplings, however, are soft and succulent throughout. The filling for both types of gyoza (¥590 for six) is a combination of pork, nira, onion, hakusai and pork stock for a rich finish. The wrappers, made in-house, are thicker than average, creating a mochi mochi (chewy) texture.
The condiment options, in addition to the usual soy sauce, chilli sesame oil and white vinegar, include black pepper and karashi (Japanese mustard) too, so you can experiment with flavour combinations. The crunchy tataki cucumber is a popular side dish, or for something more hearty, four types of Taiwanese spicy ramen are available. Place your order at the vending machine outside to save time; otherwise, you can order directly from the staff.