Frozen Gyoza: Why Our Dumplings are Loved by Vancouver Locals

A Vancouver Comfort Classic Folded with Heart

It might just look like a dumpling on the outside. But for many of our guests, it’s much more than that.

At Northern Cafe, our gyozas have become a local favourite—not because of flash or hype, but because of what they represent: comfort, tradition, and honest flavors. Each gyoza is filled with a savory meat and vegetable filling, then hand-folded for the perfect bite. We cook our gyoza to a crisp and thick texture, and they can also be cooked in a pot by boiling or steaming for a tender result. Whether you choose to boil, steam, or pan-fry, each method brings out unique flavors in the gyoza. Our gyoza is served piping hot for your serving, ready to be eaten and enjoyed as a snack or meal. Easy to eat and enjoy, they’re a true comfort food.

A Dish That Feels Like Home

We hear it all the time:

“This reminds me of how my grandma made them and it taste just like home.”
“We come here just for the wontons and gyoza.”

Our dumplings are folded by hand in small batches and filled with a satisfying mix of seasoned pork, cabbage, green onion, garlic chives, and ginger. They’re served piping hot, and ready to dip in our homemade hotsauce if you like. Enjoy the mix of textures—crispy, chewy, and juicy—in every bite.

No fluff. No fillers. Just gyoza that hits the spot, perfect for dinner, as a side with rice, potatoes, or noodles, or even added to stews. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer, reheat in the microwave, and enjoy serving them anytime. Frozen dumplings are also available for quick meals.

Crafted with Care: Ingredients and Preparation

At Northern Cafe, every batch of our tasty little dumplings starts with a commitment to fresh ingredients and careful preparation. We begin by mixing ground pork with a splash of soy sauce, a drizzle of sesame oil, and a generous handful of chopped green onions in a large bowl. This flavorful mixture is the heart of our dumplings, bringing together savory notes and a hint of sweetness.

To assemble, we lay out each dumpling wrapper on a baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap. A small spoonful of the pork mixture is placed in the center of each wrapper, and then we carefully pour a touch of water around the edges to help seal in all that delicious filling. Each dumpling is folded by hand—sometimes into a neat triangle, other times with delicate pleats—ensuring the edges are pressed tightly so nothing escapes during cooking.

Once prepared, these dumplings are ready for your favorite cooking method: boiled for a soft, tender bite, steamed for a delicate texture, or pan-fried until the bottoms turn golden brown and crisp. However you enjoy them, you’ll taste the difference that comes from a batch made with care, tradition, and the freshest ingredients.

Nourishing the Community: Health Benefits and Nutrition

Our dumplings aren’t just delicious—they’re a wholesome meal you can feel good about. Each dumpling is packed with ground pork, green onions, and a medley of fresh vegetables like carrots, all seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil for a rich, savory flavor. This combination provides a satisfying source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making every bite as nourishing as it is tasty.

Whether you prefer pork, chicken, shrimp, or a vegetable filling, our dumplings can be tailored to suit your taste and dietary needs. Served alongside a bowl of homemade wontons, they make for a balanced and comforting meal. The fresh ingredients and careful preparation mean you get all the flavor without unnecessary additives—just honest food that’s good for you and your family.

At Northern Cafe, we believe that food should not only taste great but also support your well-being. That’s why our dumplings are made to be both delicious and nutritious, perfect for any meal of the day.

Local Love That Grew Organically

We never set out to make Vancouver’s best dumpling. We just wanted to serve something we’d be proud to feed our own family.

Turns out, that’s exactly what people were looking for—real food made with real care.

Word spread through handwritten notes left on our walls, family friends telling family friends, and locals bringing their visiting relatives for a comforting bite of home.

Why Our Frozen Dumplings Sell Out (and What You Can Do)

Yes, sometimes our gyoza sells out early. It’s a good problem, but one we don’t take lightly.

We don’t mass-produce. We don’t cut corners. We make as many as we can without losing what makes them special.

Pro Tip: Come early especially on weekends and grab a pack of Mah’s Market frozen gyoza (frozen dumplings) to take home for a convenient meal. You can store them in your freezer and easily freeze any extra gyoza for later use—just place them on a tray to freeze individually before transferring to a bag. If you have cooked gyoza leftovers, keep them in the fridge and reheat in the microwave for a quick snack. For serving, try plating with your favorite dipping sauce and garnish for an enjoyable experience at home.

Gyoza That Tells a Story

There’s a deeper reason people love our gyoza: they come with a story.

A family recipe passed down. A quiet moment shared over brunch. A taste of childhood memories for newcomers and locals alike.

In the end, our gyoza is more than a side dish. It’s a small way we say,
“You’re welcome here. Let us feed you something good.”

The Northern Cafe Experience: Dining and Ambiance

Stepping into Northern Cafe feels like coming home. The cozy wooden decor, friendly faces, and the irresistible aroma of freshly prepared dumplings set the stage for a memorable meal. Our menu is a celebration of comfort food, featuring a variety of dumplings filled with pork, chicken, shrimp, and fresh vegetables—each dish prepared with care and served piping hot.

Whether you’re craving a hearty stew, a steaming bowl of soup, or a plate of golden brown dumplings, you’ll find something to satisfy every appetite. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared using fresh ingredients, ensuring every dish is as delicious as it is comforting. The relaxed atmosphere invites you to linger over your food, share stories, and enjoy the company of friends and family.

At Northern Cafe, we’re proud to offer more than just a meal—we offer a place where tradition, flavor, and community come together at the table. Come in, take a seat, and let us serve you something truly special.
In addition, Northern Cafe recently won the 2025 Vancouver Magazine’s “Best Brunch” award, and it’s no surprise why. Families, foodies, and even international travelers line up outside — not just for the food, but for the feeling.

Come and Grab a bag of our Frozen Gyozas for home.

Visiting Soon? Here’s What to Know

• Where: 1640 East Kent Ave South, Vancouver
• When: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. Northern Cafe is open during these hours, providing a welcoming atmosphere for brunch enthusiasts.
• Must-Try Items:
• Eggs Benny with béarnaise
• Pork gyoza
• Blueberry pancakes
• Wonton noodle soup

Get here early — brunch lines are part of the story.

—-End—

Keywords: frozen gyoza, tasty little dumplings, ground pork, soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, baking sheet, golden brown, fresh ingredients, carefully pour, chicken, meat, pork, meal, delicious, taste, sauce, food, flavors, noodles, boiled, chili, cooking, flour, carrots, eat, fresh, soup, bowl, rice, shrimp, filling, vegetable, dinner, fried, garlic, potatoes, recipes, stew, tradition, onion, tasty, cream, scallions, eggs, freezer, mix, leftovers, frozen, pepper, sugar, liquid, spoon, pot, sweet, cornstarch, pinch, steaming, plate, dish, buttery, prepared, mixture, teaspoon, soft, thick, served, flavour, canada, simmered.