Chao Chao Gyoza - Sanjo Kiyamachi — Restaurant in Kyoto

Chau chau was on my list of places to try in Kyoto. Before I review the food, I do want to make it known that the wait time is incredibly long. We stood in line for close to two hours before we got in. Had we known the wait time would be so long, we would’ve got there before opening to ensure we could be in and out. Just putting that out there for travel plans if youre interested in this place.

After we got in, we were surprised by the enthusiasm and joy of the workers. They work incredibly hard at a very fast pace all while staying upbeat. You can hear them unanimously saying goodbye to each person who leaves the restaurant. It makes a little celebratory feeling in the line which keeps spirits high as you wait.

My partner and I are vegans, so I can only speak to the two vegan gyoza options they had. One was the Yube option, and one was a standard veggie gyoza. The veggie gyoza was nothing special and lacked anything that made it stand out from store bought. But the Yube was really delicious and flavorful. If I was going again, I would only order the Yube. They have a fun little sauce bar for every couple seats. I really enjoyed their miso chili paste.

Overall, I would not say for vegans it was worth the 2 hour wait-time. But the people working really did make a great time once we got in. If you are desiring some “drunchy” gyoza with pleasant atmosphere this place could be a good bet, and possibly a great bet...

BEST CHICKEN WINGS IN THE WORLD!!!

I love Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi so much that was overcome with excitement when dining for the second time during our visit and if we had more time we would be going a third, fourth and fifth.

Not only is it some of the best food in Kyoto and possibly Japan, but the environment was retro and fun with great energy and a compassionate staff. You are greeted with smiles, kindness, and most importantly prompt and attentive service. Kanpai!

The chicken wings are the best I've ever had with no exaggeration and a repertoire of trying wings all over the place. Just go and get them. You'll love them.

Don't just stop at the Chao Chao gyozas and chicken and cheese gyozas. Although they are phenomenal there are even more MUST trys to get: Chicken, mozzarella, with peperoncini sauce gyozas with crispy garlic were savory and juicy with a depth of flavors. The pork mozzarella, tomato sauce with itialian inspiration should be everywhere as i dont understand how that was also so amazing. For dessert, the chocolate gyoza had a delicious filling that gooed perfectly inside a crispy gyoza that paired well with the smooth vanilla icecream. Oishii!

Calling all Youtuber foodies: Mikey Chen (Strictly Dumpling), Watcher, Try Guys, Paolo from Tokyo! Get here and get Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi on the map internationally!

Thank...

There's no denying this place is popular. It's helped by the fact it's in guidebooks and there's always a queue outside. Make sure you fill your name out on the list as you join the queue. It's not a front of line system. The food was good and we'd been desperate to have gyoza by this point in the holiday. We had a set menu which gave a good variety and included a chicken wing and a quantity of 3 different types of gyoza as well as a drink. Like most places in Japan it's very cozy, which I like but others may not. The downsides to this place are:- it didn't completely fill me up, the food was tasty but I felt like the restaurant had become a little bit industrialised to maximise output and it was reaping in the rewards of it's popularity (a bit like McDonald's is popular but they don't make the best burgers!). The service was fine too, nothing amazing. Finally I'm not sure whether the queue outside is a clever bit of marketing as often there was clean, free tables when people were waiting and it makes the place look more popular. Or maybe it's just that if you're queuing outside you expect a wait, whereas if your sitting the wait for food often seems worse. Overall go here for gyoza if you want but don't make it your primary focus over other places that do gyoza, they may be just as good, we had better...