Eiraishan Sakae Honten: A Pioneer who Spread the Deliciousness of Grilled Gyoza to Nagoya!

​Long-established Chinese restaurant “Eiraishan Sakae Honten” was established in 1955. The famous grilled gyozas are crispy on the skin and fluffy on the inside.

If you look at the history of the restaurant, it turns out that it was a pioneer who spread grilled gyozas in Nagoya. Enjoy the taste of the shop's pride where you can feel the history.

*Information at the time of interview in April 2023

Crispy Skin, Fluffy Inside
Grilled Gyoza with Plenty of Vegetables

Eiraishan Sakae Honten is located on a small alley lined with restaurants, one street away from Nagoya's main street Hirokoji dori. The food samples lined up in front of the store give off a really good taste.

The interior of the restaurant has a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere, with white tablecloths, linear chairs, and a tag that conveys the order to the kitchen.

Grilled gyoza (450 yen for 10 pieces for 1 person *Photo shows 2 servings). Vermicelli served in the center

When you visit "Eiraishan", the must-order is the "grilled gyoza". It is beautifully arranged in a circular shape and has an impressive appearance. The skin is crispy and the inside is fluffy.

The bean paste contains plenty of cabbage and onions. Only a small amount of garlic is used. Both minced meat and vegetables are domestically produced, and the ratio is 2:8, which is plenty of vegetables. The skin is thin and each one is small. Even if you visit after drinking at the first restaurant, the taste and texture will make you want to gobble it up.

Another thing worth mentioning is the way the gyoza is wrapped, commonly known as "Eiraishan Nigiri." In order to save time and serve more gyoza in one day, the special feature is that the skin is not wrapped tightly like usual. They say they sometimes make 12,000 pieces in a day, so it seems like a logical way to wrap them.

When you watch the work, the staff will wrap the dumplings rhythmically at a good speed. She has been wrapping gyoza for nearly 50 years (!). This is exactly what "professional skill" means.

Unraveling the History of "Eiraishan"

Founder Shinichiro Ogata

"Eiraishan" is said to be the first Chinese restaurant in Nagoya to offer grilled gyoza.

The founder, Shinichiro Ogata, entered Meiji University, later worked as a driver for members of the imperial family, and during the war he traveled to China as an Imperial Guard.

A scene from "Eiraishan" in the 1950s. The store's name comes from the song "Eiraishan" sung by actress Li Xiangran, whom Ogata met while staying in China.

After returning to Japan, he opened a shoeshine shop, bar, and eel restaurant. "Eiraishan" began in 1955 when a building that used to be a bar was renovated into a Chinese restaurant.

At that time, there were boiled gyoza restaurants in Nagoya, but there were no grilled gyoza restaurants. Mr. Ogata traveled to Osaka and Tokyo with his employees to study grilled gyoza, which was rare at the time. At the end of this process, Nagoya's first grilled gyoza was born.

The Charm of “Eiraishan” is Not Limited to the Gyoza!
Hospitality with a Rich Menu

In addition to the specialty dumplings, there is a full line-up of “Chinese classical dishes”. It's fun to spend time wondering what to eat with the menu on the table.

Eiraishan set meal (1,000 yen)

One of the recommended dishes is the "Eiraishan Set Meal." One plate is filled with Happo-sai (Stir-fried Vegetables and Meat in Starchy Sauce), Bang bang chicken (Szechuan dish of chicken in a spicy sauce), sweet and sour pork, and pickles. I'm surprised that this volume costs only 1,000 yen! It's a set meal, but it's also perfect to go with beer, and it's great value for money.

Eiraimen (650 yen)

“Eiraishan” is actually good at noodle dishes! One of these, "Eraimen (noodles)," is a dish topped with plenty of vegetables. The noodles made from a combination of carefully selected wheat are rich in flavor and rival those found at ramen specialty restaurants. The good thing about the soup is that it has just the right thickness and doesn't feel heavy.

Eiraishan'' is a long-established store that has been loved in the city of Nagoya for nearly 70 years. Many of the staff, including the mother who wrapped the gyoza, have been working there for a long time, and the unpretentious, homely atmosphere attracts people. I left the store with both my stomach and my heart satisfied.