【Food Review ● Japan】Unryutei Doza Branch, Nagasaki | Famous Gyoza Spot for Japanese-Chinese Dumplings with Chive and Egg

Nagasaki is one of Japan’s earliest open ports and has long been a hub for East-West cultural exchange. During the Edo period, it served as a major trading point between China and Japan. As many Chinese immigrants settled in the area, communities gradually formed—Shinchi Chinatown being one of the most iconic examples.

Today, Shinchi Chinatown is one of the most recognizable commercial districts in Nagasaki, with many Chinese restaurants nearby. Unryutei, the restaurant I visited this time, is among the more well-known establishments in the area and has even been featured in Japan’s popular gourmet site “Tabelog’s Top 100 Restaurants.”

Unryutei Doza Branch – Atmosphere & Interior

The main Unryutei restaurant is located near Shianbashi Station on the Nagasaki streetcar line, but I visited the Doza Branch near Kankodori Station.

The exterior is minimalist yet elegant—it gives off a quiet upscale vibe. Without prior research, one might easily mistake it for a high-end restaurant.

Unryutei functions similarly to an izakaya (Japanese pub). Many office workers drop by after work with friends or coworkers for drinks and small plates.

Photography of the kitchen is not allowed, and space inside is limited. The restaurant was also fairly crowded, so to avoid disturbing other guests, I only snapped a quick photo of the celebrity autograph board on the wall.

Each table is equipped with various sauces and condiments for customers to help themselves.

Unryutei Doza Branch – Menu

Menu as of March 25, 2025The ordering process is simple—just point to the wooden menu boards on the wall. However, the menu is written only in Japanese, and it’s unclear if they offer a printed English version.

If needed, you can look up photos of the menu online or take a screenshot of it and use your phone’s translation app to assist with ordering.

Unryutei Doza Branch – Food Review

Oolong Tea ★★★☆☆

Since I don’t drink alcohol, I went with oolong tea to complement the meal.

Gyoza (Pan-Fried Dumplings) ★★☆☆☆

The gyoza is Unryutei’s signature dish, but it’s quite different from the crispy “hanetsuki” dumplings commonly found at ramen shops. These had a soft, slightly sticky skin with very little crispiness. The size is similar to bite-sized dumplings often sold at Taiwanese street stalls.

Perhaps due to its pairing with alcohol, the dumplings were quite oily. Without a drink, it felt overly greasy.

The filling was mainly cabbage and ground meat, but it lacked a firm texture and tasted rather bland—unlike the seasoned fillings commonly found in Taiwan.

Because the dumplings were so lightly seasoned, I had to rely heavily on soy sauce and chili oil to enhance the flavor. Overall, I was not impressed with this dish.

Niratama (Chive & Egg Stir-Fry) ★★☆☆☆

“Niratama” is a common dish in Japanese izakayas, consisting of stir-fried garlic chives with soft scrambled eggs. The strong aroma of the chives makes it a popular drinking dish among locals.

“Toji” in Japanese cooking refers to a technique where ingredients are enveloped in softly cooked beaten eggs—similar to the style seen in rice bowls. “Nira” means garlic chives.

Though its exact origin is unclear, the dish seems to be a fusion of Chinese-style stir-fried eggs and chives with Japan’s soft egg preparation, making it a Japanese-Chinese hybrid dish.

The dish was simple and lightly seasoned, relying solely on the flavor of the chives. I added soy sauce to enhance its taste.

The chives had a strong aroma, and the egg was soft and silky. However, similar to the gyoza, the dish was overly oily.

In terms of flavor, nothing really stood out, and personally, I wouldn’t recommend this dish.

Sujipon (Beef Tendon with Citrus Soy Sauce) ★★★★☆

Sujipon is a classic izakaya appetizer made of tender beef tendons served with ponzu sauce and lots of chopped green onions. It’s a refreshing and delicious dish that pairs well with drinks.

The beef tendons were perfectly cooked—soft, gelatinous, and slightly chewy without being too hard or mushy. The tangy ponzu sauce balanced the richness nicely. It was the only dish I truly recommend from Unryutei.

Unryutei Doza Branch – Final Thoughts

Overall, neither the food nor the atmosphere at Unryutei Doza Branch gave me a reason to return.

The restaurant lacked proper ventilation, and the smell of grease filled the space, making me feel slightly unwell after staying for a while.

Aside from the beef tendon dish, the gyoza and chive & egg stir-fry were underwhelming. I honestly don’t understand how this place made it onto Tabelog’s Top 100 Restaurants list.

In conclusion, I wouldn’t personally recommend this restaurant. There are definitely better places nearby to enjoy Chinese cuisine or izakaya-style dining in Nagasaki.

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===Overall Rating===
Food: ★★☆☆☆
Service: ★★★☆☆
Atmosphere: ★☆☆☆☆

Tabelog: 3.72  (As of March 25, 2025)

Address: 13-11 Dozamachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture

Access: 3-minute walk from Kankodori Station (Nagasaki Electric Tramway)

Opening Hours: 18:00 – 23:00 (except Fridays)｜18:00 – 01:30 (Fridays)

Phone: 095-824-1311