James L.
Google
4.5/5 ### Kaminari Gyoza Bar: A Dumpling Devotion in Little Tokyo
Tucked away in the heart of Little Tokyo at 323 E 1st Street in Los Angeles, Kaminari Gyoza Bar is a love letter to Utsunomiya-style gyoza, the iconic Japanese dumplings hailing from the gyoza capital of Japan. Opened in 2022 by Shigemitsu "Shige" Fujii, a native of Utsunomiya who swapped his fried chicken spot for this focused haven, the restaurant channels the purity of hometown specialists—minimal menu, maximum flavor. With bright yellow noren curtains framing the entrance and a sleek, fast-casual interior featuring communal tables and booths, it's the perfect pit stop for a quick, satisfying bite amid the bustle of downtown LA. Open daily from 11 AM, it buzzes with locals and tourists alike, especially during lunch rushes.
What elevates Kaminari to must-visit status is their obsession with fresh, tasty, made-from-scratch fillings that burst with authenticity. Every batch is prepared daily, using high-quality ingredients like ground pork, cabbage, nira chives, and onions for the classic pork gyoza, ensuring a juicy, herbaceous punch in every bite. I started with the Yaki Gyoza (pan-fried, 6 pieces for $8.50)—crispy-edged skins that tear satisfyingly when pulled apart, revealing a steamy, plump filling that's savory without grease, laced with just enough ginger and garlic to dance on the tongue. The Age (deep-fried) version amps up the crunch, while the Sui (boiled in clear pork soup) offers a soothing, brothy embrace, the filling's freshness shining through the light herbal broth. Don't skip the Shrimp Gyoza, where sweet, bouncy seafood mingles with egg white and chives for a delicate, oceanic twist, or the vegan Impossible Pork option, packed with shiitake and enoki mushrooms for an umami bomb that's impressively meaty.
Bentos make it a meal, pairing gyoza with rice, herby roasted potatoes, or even curry-spiced spaghetti—a quirky Utsunomiya nod that surprisingly works. Service is efficient and friendly, with staff eager to guide dipping sauce choices (their homemade chili oil is addictive). At around $12-15 for a full bento, it's a steal for such quality. Yelp's 4.5/5 from over 246 reviews echoes my sentiment: it's the fillings' vibrant, made-that-day magic that keeps folks coming back. Whether you're a dumpling die-hard or just craving fresh comfort food, Kaminari delivers thunderous satisfaction. In a city of fusion spots, this one's a grounding triumph—pure, delicious, and utterly craveable.