Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/are-gyoza-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Are Gyoza Vegetarian? (Pork & Garlic-Chive Filling)

Gyoza are small pan-fried dumplings, and the classic filling is pork. The wrapper and the dipping
sauce are usually vegan, which is why it is easy to miss the meat inside. Here is how to find
vegetarian gyoza.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Classic gyoza are not vegetarian: the filling is ground pork with cabbage and chives.
> - The wrapper is usually flour and water (vegan), and the dipping sauce is usually vegan.
> - Vegetable gyoza (cabbage, mushroom, tofu) are the vegetarian option.
> - For vegan, check the wrapper for egg and the sauce for oyster sauce.

**TL;DR: Gyoza are usually not vegetarian**: the classic Japanese dumpling filling is ground
pork with cabbage, garlic chives and ginger. Vegetable gyoza exist, but check the wrapper and
dipping sauce too.

## What's in classic gyoza

- **Filling:** ground **pork**, cabbage, garlic chives, ginger, garlic, soy.
- **Wrapper:** wheat flour and water: usually **vegan**.
- **Dipping sauce:** soy sauce + rice vinegar + a drop of chili oil: usually vegan.

So the meat is in the filling, not the wrapper.

## Vegetable gyoza

Veggie gyoza (filled with cabbage, mushroom, tofu or chive) are common at Japanese restaurants
and in the freezer aisle. For vegans, watch two things:

1. **The wrapper**: some use egg; most are water-and-flour.
2. **The sauce**: occasionally oyster sauce is added.

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** Order vegetable gyoza.
- **Vegan?** Vegetable gyoza with an egg-free wrapper and no oyster sauce.

See our [Gyoza dish guide](/food/japan/country-japan-gyoza/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*