Gyoza Douraku

Great small dishes Japanese restaurant. Gyozas are the speciality, but there are lot of interesting choices like sashimi, mini lobster burguers, takoyaki, tatakis… Very large drinks menu, from Japanese beer to sake, sochu, umeshu or high balls. You feel as you were a bit in Japan. Prices quiet unexpensive and fast service. Only negative aspect is the music which doesn’t fit and is quite to loud.

$ 10 lunch special was the bomb. Veggies, miso, salad, karaage and soba noodles served promptly with all the sauces you could hope for. Didn’t try the soy matcha ice cream for an extra $ 3 but next time I will!

It’s weird that they make such a big deal about all the sauces. They give you this little tray with soy sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and vinegar, and they tell you to mix your own sauce. I’m not sure this is such a good idea. Sure it’s good to have options, but in my opinion, the sauce can have a huge effect on the food. Japanese food can have a very delicate balance of flavours and deciding which sauce best complements which dish should be up to the chef.
I’ve only been here a couple times, so I haven’t had a chance to try everything on the menu, but the few dishes I did try were really good. The croquettes were nice and crunchy and creamy on the inside, and the gyoza I ordered were as good as any I’ve had before. I think the $ 6.50 price tag for all the menu items is pretty good.
What isn’t good is the lunch time special. The $ 15 special I ordered was nothing more than two menu items and a few tiny (very tiny) bowls of pickled cabbage, tofu, and either rice or soba noodles. Totally not worth it if you ask me. You’d be much better off ignoring the specials and just ordering items from the menu.
Gyoza Douraku isn’t the kind of place you go to if you’re hungry, because the serving sizes are kind of on the small side; they’re all about quality, not quantity.
Good food, hit-​and-​miss service, and unusually dim lighting, makes for an interesting meal.

We wish we could have ordered one of everything… We made sure to keep enough place for the dessert, the chocolate and strawberry parfait is to die for! Great place, and the staff are very nice and friendly!

This place is unreal. Such great value and delicious food. Fantastic service as well. The Kimchi Gyoza, porterhouse and soba are great!

So I’ve already broken my «try somewhere new rule» but it was a dinner with friends and I LOVED it here last time & they wanted Izakaya style japanese so had to bring them here.
All dishes are $ 6.50 (current special is $ 3.50 for pork & garlic gyoza after 3pm), and even though they’re named for their gyoza, there’s massive range of other dishes equally as delicious. We had some teriyaki chicken skewers, Takoyaki, Karaage chicken, oysters with ponzu, pork & garlic pan fried gyoza, duck gyoza, edamame, wagyu & red onion gyoza, vegetable tempura and a few other things I can’t remember but could not fault a single thing.
Everything was quick, tasty and service was so friendly!
Fun fact — the Gyoza come in serves of 6, either pan fried, steamed or in soup, and you get a tray of condiments to create your own sauce

This is a pretty good little spot on Bourke street just after Russel.
They have two lunch specials available for $ 10 and $ 15 respectively.
I recommend going for the order a bunch of dishes and sharing them. Most
come in at $ 6.50 and there is a choice of hot and cold dishes. Beef Tataki salad,
oysters, chicken with rice noodles or various Sashimi’s.
There’s a whole page for steamed Gyoza and pan fried, depending on what you’re in the mood for. Beers are available on tap too. Once you have ordered,
you are then presented with a little tray of flavorings; white vinegar, soy sauce, chilli oil, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Most of the dishes are light and delicate or are flavorsome enough without having to butcher them in overt flavorings, but they are good for the Gyoza’s. It’s a really cool little fit out; very nice settings, and interior design and all the table-​ware crockery is pretty neat.

I’m not a massive fan of Japanese food, but this place is cute and they do a good lunch special. Be sure to try the sweet potato dish, it’s yummy!

After a well reviewed Japanese place was closed for a function, I decided to give the alternative a go.
What a great little place! As soon as I walked in the door I experienced the warmth of Japanese hospitality; greeted with a smile, shown to your table and explained your eating options.
I’ve eaten a few Gyoza in my time, including all over Japan. Gyoza Douraku offers a point of difference to other local Japanese eats, by allowing you to mix your own dipping sauce.
An aged old tradition in Japan, I’ve never experienced this in Australia. Selecting from soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, chilli oil, garlic and sesame seeds to make suit your tastes!
While Gyoza is their specialty there are other options and daily specials! You could also select from one of the many Sake they have on offer!
The relaxed atmosphere and contemporary Japanese décor offer a great experience. While small on first glance, an upstairs area allows for larger group bookings and parties.
The next time I travel to Melbourne, I’ll definitely try to make my way back.

I can not remember every being made to feel more welcome at an asian restaurant. From the friendly greeting at the door to having the menu options cheerfully explained to me was a warm and enticing experience.
This restaurant specialises in Gyoza (japanese fried and steamed dumplings) but also other selections of superb Japanese food. They have fried, steamed and even fried and covered with cheese!
Rather than just being give one sauce to go with your gyoza, you get a whole tray of sources plus garlic, ginger and sesame seeds and your encourage to mix your own. What fun!
Even when busy the staff were attentive and happy to take the time to talk to you and see if everything was to your liking. So different to my usual asian restaurant experience of broken English and pointing at photos on a menu.
And one more thing that to me sums up the class of this place — tea pots that don’t leak. Yes, you read that correctly, tea pots that don’t leak! I thought that was just a given for all asian restaurants.
I’m almost afraid to post this review as I don’t won’t this place to get too busy such that I can’t get a table!
Do yourself a favour and come in and enjoy this place.