Ajinomoto Frozen Foods is hosting an event called “Super Gyoza Station” on the so-called ‘Phantom Platform’, JR Ryogoku Station Platform 3, from April 25 to May 8, where visitors can eat gyoza. I, a self-proclaimed gyoza enthusiast, went to try cooking gyoza at Ryogoku Station and would like to report on the experience.
What is Super Gyoza Station?
“Super Gyoza Station” is the ultimate self-service establishment where customers use provided stoves and pans to cook frozen gyoza on a table set up on a train station platform. After its initial success in 2017, the event opened for three consecutive years before pausing due to the pandemic. This year marks the much-anticipated return after a five-year hiatus.
Ajinomoto’s frozen gyoza, which are easy to cook, have been further improved to prevent sticking and allow anyone to easily prepare crispy and juicy winged gyoza following a renewal in February, enhancing the ‘joy’ of having freshly cooked gyoza.
This “Gyoza Station” quickly delivers that joy, and with its return, it has been upgraded to “Super Gyoza Station”.
How much fun can you have at “Super Gyoza Station” in an hour?
“Super Gyoza Station” is located within JR Sobu Line’s Ryogoku Station premises, boasting excellent accessibility right from the station.
The menu simply consists of gyoza and beverages such as beer and soft drinks, without any rice options. The pricing is very reasonable, with a set of 12 gyoza costing 300 yen and a gyoza and drink set available for 600 yen (limited to one order per person).
Within an hour, you need to cook gyoza, toast, and customize the cooked gyoza with table condiments. The whole experience is quite busy since the seating time from entrance to exit is limited to one hour, allowing for a maximum of 4 to 5 rounds of gyoza cooking.
During my visit, time was up after cooking gyoza 4 times. With 24 gyoza per pan, I ended up eating 96 gyoza. For the three of us, it was just the right amount to feel satisfied. Of course, there’s a personal element to how filling it is, but it seemed that 3-4 people per table was the ideal number (maximum of 5 people allowed).
For a group of 3-4, it’s probably a good idea to have a designated ‘Gyoza Master’ to efficiently cook the gyoza to ensure satisfaction.
Can you really cook the gyoza well? → Yes, you can
Even if the access is great and the price is low, there wouldn’t be much point in going to “Super Gyoza Station” if the gyoza couldn’t be cooked well. However, there’s no need to worry. By following the guide provided at the table and taking care not to burn oneself, anyone can beautifully cook the gyoza.
Cover and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, then uncover for 1-2 minutes to let the moisture evaporate and form the wings. Plates perfectly sized for the frying pan are provided, resulting in beautifully cooked gyoza as shown in the photo. Afterwards, selecting your favorite condiments from the table makes it perfect. Enjoying crispy winged gyoza with bottled beer feels like heaven (personal opinion).
The advantage of being on a station platform
Eating on a station platform offers more than just the benefit of enjoying gyoza while watching trains. The sound of trains and the ambient noise of the station add a unique atmosphere to the dining experience.
Additionally, the layout makes good use of the platform’s length, ensuring ample space between tables. This allowed for unhindered conversation while cooking and eating gyoza.
The platform’s good ventilation meant there was no concern about the smell from cooking gyoza, and hardly any smoke was produced, making it suitable for a quick visit after work even in a suit. Of course, care should be taken to avoid splashing sauces and the juice from the gyoza.
“Super Gyoza Station” is Simply the Best
As detailed above, it’s clear that Ajinomoto’s gyoza can be deliciously cooked by anyone. Moreover, cooking gyoza oneself on a station platform offers a delightful experience, enhanced by the uniqueness of the setting.
“Super Gyoza Station” is scheduled to run until May 8, after the long holiday. Why not give it a try?
Notice
This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
