Gyoza no Umechan — Restaurant in Nikko

A Gem in Nikko: Gyoza no Umechan

We stumbled upon Gyoza no Umechan on a recent trip to Nikko, and it quickly became a highlight of our experience! This charming, family-owned restaurant is everything you could ask for in a local gem.

The warmth of the family who runs the place is truly unmatched. They welcomed us with open arms and genuine smiles, making us feel right at home. It's clear they pour their hearts into this restaurant, and it shows in every detail.

The star of the show, of course, is the ramen.

What truly elevates Gyoza no Umechan is the cozy atmosphere. The restaurant has a warm and inviting ambiance, perfect for a relaxed meal. One of the owners, a talented photographer, even shared some of her stunning photos of Nikko with us. It was a wonderful way to connect with a local and get a glimpse into the city through her eyes.

If you're looking for an authentic and delicious dining experience in Nikko, look no further than Gyoza no Umechan. You won't just get incredible ramen and gyoza, but also a warm welcome and a taste of local hospitality. We highly...

We arrived around 3pm and saw a small waitlist. Before adding our name, we asked if the restaurant was baby-friendly since we had our 10-month-old with us. We were told yes, so we waited outside.

When we were seated, we offered to leave our compact stroller outside, but they said it was okay to bring it inside folded up.

However, while waiting for our order, the owner told my mom that since we had a baby and stroller, we should be more considerate next time and try a “family restaurant” instead. This was confusing and upsetting since we’d asked beforehand if bringing the baby was okay. It would have been better to say no upfront than to create an awkward situation later.

The gentleman also repeatedly referred to my mom as a “guide,” which was confusing—I assume because I was speaking English to my husband, but we’re actually family.

Our baby was calm, didn’t disturb anyone, and even made friends with the couple next to us, who complimented her behavior. Because the unwelcoming feeling overshadowed our visit, we’d prefer not to comment...

¥1200 Gyoza Ramen Set came with 3 freshly made pork gyoza that were juicy and piping hot, served with a small bowl of rice, which I really did not need. The huge bowl of ramen has unique tasty broth that is unlike any other soy sauce ramen I have tasted. The ramen was springy with a light tasty soup that wasn't salty at all. Makes me wonder how they made the base.

We arrived at 2.35pm and the waiting list had 3 other parties of ahead of us. We were finally seated about 5 mins before 3. 2 more groups arrived after us and they continued to accept them in the queue when they place their names on the list at abt 2.45pm. Those after that were told they have closed the reservation.

We were stuffed with a happy belly when we walked out at 3.20pm. You won't regret the small wait if you...