Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi Kyoto Review: Gyoza and Beers Near Pontocho

Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi is a small and lively gyoza restaurant near Pontocho and the Kamo River in Kyoto. I have eaten here several times over the years, and it remains one of my favorite casual stops for dumplings, beers, and a fun atmosphere.

My most recent meal was in November 2023. I arrived shortly after the restaurant opened and waited about 30 minutes before getting a table.

During that meal, I tried six different gyoza dishes, including the signature Chao Chao Pork Gyoza, shrimp gyoza, chicken and mozzarella cheese gyoza, boiled ginger pork gyoza, garlic and chili mayonnaise gyoza, and chicken wing gyoza.

The signature pork gyoza remained the highlight. They were crisp on one side, tender on the other, flavorful, and affordable. Some of the other dishes were less consistent, including chicken wing gyoza with slightly burnt edges, but the variety and lively atmosphere made the meal enjoyable.

Inside Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi

Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi had a small and cozy interior, with customers packed into the narrow dining room.

On one side was a compact open kitchen surrounded by a few counter seats. The remaining space was filled with several small tables.

The décor was simple, with wooden accents, red seats, a rectangular counter, and posters advertising specials. The restaurant focused more on the food and lively atmosphere than the décor.

Soft Japanese music played in the background, mixing with the sounds of steam, food cooking on the grill, timers going off, and chefs calling out orders.

Space was limited, so customers sat close together. That was part of the experience, and the tight seating made it easy to talk with other guests while enjoying gyoza and drinks.

During my meal, I sat at a small table, although I had sat at the counter on previous visits.

I prefer the counter when dining alone because it gives me a better view of the chefs preparing food and interacting with customers as they enter and leave.

The best part of visiting Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi was its boisterous and lively atmosphere. During my visits, there was usually something happening, and I never knew who I might meet or share a beer with, including other customers and staff.

Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi Menu

The menu shown in this section is from my November 2023 meal. It was much larger than I expected, although gyoza was clearly the main focus.

There were many types of gyoza, including pork, shrimp, garlic, cheese, and even a chicken wing stuffed with gyoza filling. Some were pan-fried or deep-fried, while others were boiled.

For a first visit, I recommend starting with the signature Chao Chao Gyoza. These pan-fried pork dumplings were available as a regular order of 16 pieces or a half order of eight.

In addition to dumplings, the menu included deep-fried chicken, sashimi, roast pork, soups, and other dishes. Side options included kimchi, cabbage, edamame, pickled cucumbers, sliced tomato, and quail eggs.

A Kiyamachi Set for one person was also available during my visit. It included Chao Chao Gyoza, a second gyoza selection, one side dish, and either a soft drink or an alcoholic beverage.

The drink menu offered a large selection of alcoholic beverages, including beer, whisky, sake, shochu, and sour cocktails.

Non-alcoholic options included soda, ginger ale, orange juice, tea, and sparkling water.

Chao Chao Pork Gyoza

The restaurant’s signature dish was the Chao Chao Pork Gyoza.

I could order a regular portion of 16 pieces or a half order of eight. Since I planned to try several other dishes, I chose the half order.

The gyoza looked beautiful. One side had been fried until crisp and golden, while the other remained soft and tender.

My server recommended eating the first piece without dipping sauce so I could fully appreciate its flavor and texture.

The fried crust was crunchy and smoky, with a slightly bitter flavor from the sear. The wrapper on the other side stayed soft and tender.

Inside, the pork filling was rich, salty, and savory. These were some of my favorite gyoza of the meal.

They were even better dipped in soy sauce and chili oil. The wrappers were delicate, so I had to be careful when separating each piece.

Shrimp Gyoza

Since I love shrimp, I could not leave without trying the Shrimp Gyoza. Each order included only three pieces, but they were quite large.

Like the Chao Chao Pork Gyoza, one side was crisp while the other remained soft and tender.

The wrapper added a subtle smoky flavor to each bite. Inside was a plump shrimp with a salty, briny flavor.

Although the dish was simple, I enjoyed the crisp wrapper with the plump shrimp inside.

Chicken & Mozzarella Cheese Gyoza

I had not planned to order the Chicken & Mozzarella Cheese Gyoza, but after a few beers, it sounded like a great idea. The dish was available grilled or deep-fried, and I chose the deep-fried version.

The wrappers looked crisp and crunchy, although they were softer than I expected when I took a bite. They were not soggy, and the edges still had a satisfying crunch.

Inside was gooey, salty mozzarella. There was enough cheese to make each bite rich without overwhelming the chicken or making the gyoza difficult to eat.

I was glad I ordered them. The slightly crisp wrappers, chewy texture, and rich cheese made them a nice change from the more traditional gyoza.

Boiled Ginger Pork Gyoza with Numbing Hot Sauce

One of the most unusual dishes I tried was the Boiled Ginger Pork Gyoza with Numbing Hot Sauce.

The boiled wrappers were extremely tender, almost too soft, and the dumplings were difficult to pick up with chopsticks without tearing.

Inside, the ginger added noticeable flavor and a little texture, while the pork filling was moist and tender. Fried garlic chips and green onions on top added much-needed crunch.

The sauce was salty and slightly smoky. It was flavorful, but it was not as numbing as I expected from the name.

Gyoza with Garlic and Chili Mayonnaise

Next was the Gyoza with Garlic and Chili Mayonnaise. These dumplings were similar to the Chao Chao Pork Gyoza, although the sauce made the wrappers less crispy.

The chili mayonnaise had a noticeable kick without being extremely spicy. The green sauce tasted fresh and creamy, possibly from parsley or another herb.

I enjoyed the creamy sauce with the rich pork filling and gyoza wrapper.

Crispy garlic chips on top added extra flavor and crunch.

Chicken Wing Gyoza

Last was the Chicken Wing Gyoza, a fried chicken wing stuffed with gyoza filling.

The outside was crispy and rich, but parts of the skin were slightly burnt. Unfortunately, those burnt edges added a bitter flavor.

There was no bone inside the wing. Instead, it was stuffed with a tender pork filling similar to the Chao Chao Pork Gyoza I had earlier.

Even with the burnt edges, the combination of crispy chicken skin and tender filling made this one of my favorite dishes from the meal.

Service at Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi

I have eaten at Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi several times, and there has usually been a wait. I never counted that against the service because it was simply part of visiting such a small restaurant.

The staff members I interacted with spoke English and were friendly during my visits. They seemed to enjoy working there and regularly joked or chatted with customers.

I noticed this most when sitting at the counter. On some visits, staff members even shared a beer and talked with me while preparing food.

The dishes began arriving shortly after I ordered. The servers were nearby when I needed something but otherwise gave me space to eat.

I never felt rushed or pressured to leave. Still, with customers waiting outside, I understood that it was polite not to remain at the table for too long after I finished eating and drinking.

Is Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi Worth It?

Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi is one of my favorite casual places in Kyoto for affordable gyoza, beers, and a lively atmosphere.

The signature pork gyoza remained the highlight of my meal. I also enjoyed the chicken wing gyoza, even though parts of the skin were slightly burnt and bitter.

I would gladly wait about 30 minutes to eat here again, but I would not wait more than an hour. I would try to arrive shortly after opening or at a less busy time.

There may be better restaurants in Kyoto, but I continue to enjoy Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi for its fun atmosphere, friendly staff, and wide selection of gyoza. I would return and order the pork gyoza again.

Pros

• Crisp and flavorful signature pork gyoza
• Lively and social atmosphere
• Large selection of gyoza and drinks
• Affordable gyoza

Cons

• The small dining room can lead to long waits
• Seating is tight and close to other customers
• Parts of the chicken wing gyoza were burnt and bitter

Last Updated on July 20, 2026