Photo: grape Japan
food

How to turn leftover gyoza wrappers into a tasty lasagna that’s easy to make

11 Comments
By grape Japan

If you enjoy cooking, you may have tried making Japanese gyoza dumplings. If you don't have any Japanese restaurants nearby, you may be able to have some frozen ones shipped but making them is the only way you'll be able to enjoy them fresh. There are several advantages to doing so. Even if you do have dining options where you live, it's cheaper to make them at home. You can also have a gyoza party! Whether your friends or family help you make them or just come to eat them, it can be a fun activity.

However, when you make gyoza, there's an issue that many people experience that can be somewhat frustrating: Due to the fact that packages of gyoza wrappers you buy in stores usually have at least 40 or 50 wrappers in them, you often end up with less filling than you have wrappers and you get leftover wrappers.

Gyoza wrappers have a short shelf life, so you may be wondering what you can do with them when that happens.

Retired professional wrestler and TV personality Akira Hokuto, who runs a popular cooking channel on YouTube, has a great solution to this problem:

Make lasagna!

Akira Hokuto's gyoza wrapper lasagna

In addition to the gyoza wrappers, all you need are two kinds of pasta sauce and shredded mozzarella or other shredded cheese. Of course, it's not authentic lasagna, but it's a quick and easy variation which will help you avoid waste by finding a way to use your wrappers.

Since pasta sauce is usually available in stores, all you have to do is add the ingredients to the plate in layers.

According to Hokuto, the gyoza wrappers impart a chewy texture that goes perfectly with the sauce and cheese.

The recipe was so easy, it received a lot of positive comments from viewers, such as:

"...I just happened to be looking for a way to use some leftover gyoza wrappers. I love lasagna, so I'm glad I tried this recipe!"

"I love lasagna! I'll be sure to try it."

"It looks so fun to make! So many wonderful ideas on this channel."

Some of our readers may even be tempted to buy gyoza wrappers just to try this recipe.

Read more stories from grape Japan.

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© grape Japan

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

11 Comments
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Lay the wrappers on a pan, spread some pizza sauce, add your favorite toppings, not too much, add shredded cheese, and bake in the oven until the gyoza wrappers are lightly browned, and the cheese is melted.

Simple appetizers!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Didn't know there were ever left over gyoza anything. My Kryptonite!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Layers of tomato sauce (with or without meat). White sauce. Mozzarella cheese. At least three layers.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I don’t know any area anywhere in Japan that doesn’t have “Japanese Restaurants” nearby. If you go to Utsunomiya there are at least 4 gyoza places on every block, including frozen gyoza by the station ticket gates. And I’ve never had any unused gyoza wrappers so I’d rather go for actual lasagna.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

In the words of Dr. Evil, "How about NO!"

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I don’t know any area anywhere in Japan that doesn’t have “Japanese Restaurants” nearby. If you go to Utsunomiya there are at least 4 gyoza places on every block, including frozen gyoza by the station ticket gates. And I’ve never had any unused gyoza wrappers so I’d rather go for actual lasagna.

Well, if they weren't needed, no supermarket would sell them! Have to say though, too damn many in one pack! They probably would not make any money if they sold fewer.

There are vending machines that sell gyoza too!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Never been able to find lasagna here. Packets of gyoza wraps are in the stores. I often make my gyoza but I will give this trick a try. I use half a pack of gyoza wraps then freeze the other half for next time

2 ( +2 / -0 )

wallaceToday  05:16 pm JST

Never been able to find lasagna here. 

Lasagna is sold all over in supermarkets in Tokyo.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Instead of using only half a pack, make extra filling, use all the wraps and freeze half. Makes life easy-peasy next time you want to have gyoza on the menu.

Other ways to use up gyoza skins - fill them with apple pie filling, deep-fry and dust with sugar.

Cut the skins in halves or quarters, deep fry and sprinkle with salt n pepper, herb salt, whatever takes your fancy - nibbles for drinks.

Use to line shallow tart tins, fill with whatever veggies, mushrooms etc., you have to hand, pour over mixture of egg and milk or cream, sprinkle with cheese and bake. Mini quiches.

Fill with curry-flavoured potato and deep-fry. Mini samosas.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

cleo

lots of good ideas. I have a large freezer drawer but quite full most of the time. I like the idea of fruit gyoza. Just made a fig pie because this summer we had many of them.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

painkiller

Lasagna is sold all over in supermarkets in Tokyo.

I don't live in Tokyo.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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