Gyoza & Yakitori in Melun
At Yoki Ramen, our gyoza and yakitori are far more than simple starters. They are iconic dishes of Japanese cuisine, freshly prepared every day in our kitchen at 31 Rue du General de Gaulle, in the heart of Melun. Golden pan-fried dumplings and precision-grilled skewers: discover the art of Japanese appetizers in Seine-et-Marne.
Our Handmade Gyoza: Japanese Dumplings in Melun
Gyoza are among the most beloved dishes in Japanese street food. Originally from China where they are known as jiaozi, these dumplings were adopted and reinvented by Japan after World War II. The Japanese version stands out for its thinner wrapper, more delicately seasoned filling, and above all its unique cooking method: yaki-gyoza. This technique involves searing the dumplings on one side in a hot pan, then steaming them by adding a splash of water and covering. The result is a striking contrast between a crispy, almost caramelised base and a soft, translucent top.
At Yoki Ramen in Melun, our gyoza are folded by hand every day by our team. We prepare the dough and fillings with fresh ingredients, without any industrial bases or frozen products. Each dumpling is shaped individually, ensuring consistent wrapper thickness and an airtight fold that seals all the cooking juices inside. When you bite into a Yoki gyoza, a burst of meat or vegetable broth escapes and mingles with the ponzu sauce that accompanies it.
Pork & Cabbage Gyoza
The most classic and popular recipe. Our filling combines finely minced pork with shredded cabbage, fresh garlic, grated ginger and a touch of soy sauce. The blend is precisely seasoned to let each ingredient shine without overpowering the others. The cabbage brings freshness and crunch to the filling, while the pork releases a savoury juice during cooking. These gyoza are pan-fried until perfectly caramelised, then served with our citrusy ponzu sauce. This is the quintessential gyoza, the one we recommend to anyone trying them for the first time.
Pork - Traditional - EssentialChicken & Ginger Gyoza
A lighter, more fragrant version, ideal for those who prefer poultry. Our chicken filling is elevated by a generous amount of freshly grated ginger, chopped spring onions and a drizzle of sesame oil. The ginger brings a sharp freshness that contrasts beautifully with the mildness of the chicken. These gyoza are especially popular in summer, but their aromatic balance makes them a delightful option year-round. Pan-frying gives them the same crispy-yet-tender texture as our classic gyoza.
Chicken - Light - FragrantShrimp Gyoza
Our shrimp gyoza are a delicate and refined speciality. Fresh shrimp are roughly chopped to preserve a firm, meaty texture, then mixed with spring onion, ginger and a hint of mild chilli. The result is a dumpling where the briny sweetness of the shrimp takes centre stage without being masked by the seasonings. Pan-frying brings out the natural sweetness of the shellfish and creates a golden base that contrasts with the tender filling. Served with our ponzu sauce, these gyoza are a treat for seafood lovers.
Shrimp - Delicate - SeafoodVegetarian Gyoza
Our vegetarian version proves that you can create gyoza with remarkable depth of flavour without any meat or fish. The filling combines finely sliced shiitake mushrooms, crumbled firm tofu, Chinese cabbage, grated carrot and spring onions. The shiitake provide a natural umami depth, while the tofu adds substance. These gyoza are just as crispy and generous as the meat versions, making them an ideal starter for vegetarians looking to explore the world of Japanese dumplings in Melun.
Plant-based - Shiitake - UmamiExplore all our gyoza on our full menu, alongside our authentic ramen and our sushi and maki.
The Art of Yakitori: Japanese Grilled Skewers
Yakitori is a culinary art form in its own right. The word literally means "grilled bird," but in Japan the term now encompasses all grilled skewers, whether made with chicken, pork, beef or even vegetables. Yakitoriya -- small restaurants specialising in skewers -- are institutions in every Japanese city. The art of yakitori rests on three pillars: ingredient quality, mastery of the flame, and simplicity of seasoning.
At Yoki Ramen in Melun, we set out to honour this tradition. Our Japanese skewers are prepared with fresh meats, cut and threaded onto bamboo sticks by our team. Cooking is carried out with great care: each skewer is turned multiple times to ensure even caramelisation, a slightly crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior. It is this mastery of cooking time that makes the difference between an ordinary yakitori and an exceptional one.
Yakitori Momo - Chicken Thigh
Momo is the most popular yakitori skewer in Japan. Pieces of chicken thigh are grilled until the surface is golden and caramelised. Thigh meat, fattier and more flavourful than breast, stays tender and juicy after cooking. We serve it with your choice of our house-made tare sauce (a sweet-savoury glaze of soy sauce, mirin and sake) or simply with fine salt and a squeeze of yuzu citrus.
Yakitori Kawa - Chicken Skin
Kawa is a yakitori that connoisseurs adore. The chicken skin is folded accordion-style onto the skewer, then slowly grilled until it becomes extraordinarily crispy. The fat in the skin partially renders during cooking, producing a texture that is both crunchy and melt-in-your-mouth. Seasoned simply with salt, kawa is a pure pleasure that reveals the quality of our ingredients.
Yakitori Tsukune - Chicken Meatballs
Tsukune are minced chicken meatballs, seasoned with ginger, spring onion and a hint of miso. They are shaped by hand and grilled until the surface is caramelised and the centre is soft and tender. Glazed with our thick, glossy tare sauce, tsukune are a true delight. At Yoki Ramen, this is the skewer that appeals to adults and children alike.
Yakitori Negima - Chicken & Leek
Negima alternates pieces of chicken with sections of Japanese leek (negi) on the same skewer. The leek caramelises during cooking, becoming sweet and meltingly soft, while the chicken stays juicy. This combination creates a perfect balance between vegetal sweetness and the richness of the meat. Negima perfectly illustrates the Japanese philosophy of flavour harmony.
Grilled Vegetable Yakitori
Our vegetable skewers feature meaty shiitake mushrooms, colourful peppers, courgettes and segments of sweet onion. Grilled at high heat, the vegetables caramelise on the surface while retaining their natural crunch. Seasoned with salt or brushed with tare sauce, these vegetarian skewers are just as satisfying as the meat versions and make the perfect addition to any yakitori assortment.
Our House-Made Sauces: Tare & Ponzu
Every skewer and every dumpling is accompanied by our sauces, prepared on site. Our tare sauce is a sweet-savoury Japanese glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar, slowly reduced to a syrupy consistency. Our ponzu is a citrus condiment based on soy sauce, yuzu juice and rice vinegar, bringing an incomparable freshness to our gyoza.
Gyoza & Yakitori: The Perfect Starters for Sharing
In Japan, gyoza and yakitori are rarely eaten on their own. They are part of a sharing culture that lies at the heart of Japanese gastronomy. At Yoki Ramen, we designed our menu to encourage this convivial spirit. Order several varieties of gyoza and yakitori, place them in the centre of the table, and share them with your companions. It is the most authentic way to enjoy them.
Our gyoza and yakitori are also the ideal complement to our other dishes. Start with a plate of golden Japanese dumplings and a few grilled skewers, then follow with a bowl of steaming ramen or a poke bowl that is fresh and colourful, or even a comforting Japanese curry. This combination of grilled and pan-fried starters with a main course creates a balanced and satisfying meal, true to the spirit of a traditional Japanese dinner.
For meals with friends, family evenings or business lunches, our set menus combining gyoza, yakitori and a main course let you build a complete meal at an affordable price. Whether you dine in at our restaurant at 31 Rue du General de Gaulle or choose delivery in Melun, the quality and generosity of our portions remain identical.
Order Our Gyoza & Yakitori in Melun
Craving crispy Japanese dumplings or authentic grilled skewers? Visit Yoki Ramen at 31 Rue du General de Gaulle in Melun, open Tuesday to Sunday, lunch and dinner. Our team welcomes you in a warm setting to enjoy our freshly prepared gyoza and yakitori.
Prefer to enjoy our specialities at home? We offer gyoza and yakitori delivery in Melun and surrounding towns: Le Mee-sur-Seine, Dammarie-les-Lys, Vaux-le-Penil and Rubelles. Click and collect is also available. Our gyoza are packed in containers that preserve their crispiness, and our yakitori are wrapped to maintain their temperature and texture during transport.
Gyoza & Yakitori: Must-Try Japanese Starters in Melun
Japanese cuisine goes far beyond sushi and ramen. Gyoza and yakitori hold an equally essential place in Japan's culinary heritage. In Melun, in the Seine-et-Marne department (77), Yoki Ramen is the go-to address for enjoying these specialities prepared in accordance with Japanese tradition. Our Japanese dumplings, folded by hand and pan-fried to perfection, and our carefully grilled Japanese skewers, reflect our commitment to authentic, uncompromising cooking.
Gyoza arrived in Japan in the 1940s, brought back by Japanese soldiers returning from Manchuria. The Japanese adapted the Chinese jiaozi to their own palate: thinner wrapper, more subtly seasoned filling, a cooking method combining pan-frying and steaming. Today, gyoza can be found in virtually every ramen restaurant in Japan. This pairing is no coincidence: the crispy, salty character of gyoza contrasts perfectly with the depth and roundness of a ramen broth. At Yoki Ramen, we carry on this tradition by offering our Japanese dumplings as a side to our bowls.
Yakitori, for its part, has been rooted in Japanese culture for centuries. The earliest traces of grilled skewers date back to the Edo period (1603-1868), but it was in the twentieth century that yakitori became a mass phenomenon. Yakitoriya -- small restaurants with wooden counters where diners sit facing the grill -- are convivial gathering places where people enjoy skewers while drinking beer or sake. Every part of the chicken is used and valued: thigh, skin, heart, cartilage, wing. This respectful approach, which aims to waste nothing, is at the core of yakitori philosophy.
For residents of Melun, Le Mee-sur-Seine, Dammarie-les-Lys, Vaux-le-Penil and Rubelles, Yoki Ramen now offers the chance to enjoy authentic gyoza and yakitori without having to travel to Paris. Our restaurant, located at 31 Rue du General de Gaulle in Melun, prepares these specialities every day with the same care and exacting standards as the finest Japanese establishments. Whether you are looking for Japanese dumplings in Melun, Japanese skewers in Seine-et-Marne, or simply a quality Japanese restaurant in the 77, Yoki Ramen meets all of these expectations with a generous menu, fresh produce and artisanal know-how.
Our commitment goes beyond cooking alone. We carefully select our meats, vegetables and seasonings. Our tare and ponzu sauces are made in our kitchen, without resorting to industrial preparations. Every skewer is assembled by hand, every gyoza is individually folded. It is this artisanal approach that makes the difference and explains why our customers regularly return to enjoy our Japanese starters in Melun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Gyoza & Yakitori
What is a gyoza?
Gyoza is a Japanese dumpling of Chinese origin, made from a thin wheat dough wrapper filled with meat, vegetables or seafood. At Yoki Ramen in Melun, our gyoza are prepared by hand every day. They are seared on one side in a pan to achieve a crispy bottom, then steamed under a lid to keep a soft, delicate texture on top. This contrast between crispy and tender is the hallmark of a perfectly made gyoza.
What varieties of gyoza do you offer?
Our menu features four varieties of gyoza: pork and cabbage (the traditional Japanese recipe), chicken and ginger (lighter and more fragrant), shrimp (with a delicate filling of fresh shrimp and spring onion), and a vegetarian version with seasonal vegetables, shiitake and tofu. Each variety is served in portions of five or six pieces, accompanied by our house-made ponzu sauce.
What is a yakitori?
Yakitori is a Japanese grilled skewer, usually made with chicken, cooked over a charcoal grill called a konro. The term yakitori literally means "grilled bird" in Japanese. At Yoki Ramen, our yakitori are prepared in the traditional way: pieces of meat or vegetables are threaded onto bamboo sticks and grilled with precision for a perfect cook, caramelised on the outside and juicy on the inside.
What types of yakitori do you serve in Melun?
We offer a varied selection of yakitori: momo (chicken thigh, tender and juicy), kawa (crispy chicken skin), tsukune (seasoned chicken meatballs), negima (alternating chicken and Japanese leek), as well as grilled vegetable skewers. All our skewers are available with sweet-savoury tare sauce or simply seasoned with salt and yuzu citrus.
Are your gyoza and yakitori homemade?
Yes, without exception. For our gyoza, we prepare the dough from wheat flour, water and a pinch of salt, kneaded and then rolled thin to achieve a texture that is both supple and resilient to cooking. Each dumpling is folded by hand with a precise gesture that creates the characteristic pleats and hermetically seals the filling. As for our yakitori, the skewers are grilled following traditional Japanese technique: high-heat cooking with frequent turning to achieve uniform caramelisation, a slightly crispy exterior and a juicy interior. The tare sauce that glazes them is slowly reduced in our kitchen from soy sauce, mirin and sake.
Can I order gyoza and yakitori for delivery in Melun?
Absolutely. We deliver to Melun and surrounding towns (Le Mee-sur-Seine, Dammarie-les-Lys, Vaux-le-Penil, Rubelles). For delivery, our gyoza are placed in a compartmented box that keeps them upright, preventing the crispy bottom from going soggy in the steam. The ponzu sauce comes in a separate container. The yakitori are individually wrapped in aluminium foil to preserve their heat and caramelisation, with the tare sauce in a pot on the side. Order via our website or call 07 64 51 95 07.
How much do your gyoza and yakitori cost?
Our gyoza start from around 6 euros per portion, and our yakitori from around 3 euros per skewer, depending on the variety chosen. We also offer assortments and set menus combining gyoza, yakitori and other Japanese starters. Check our online menu to discover all our prices and set options.