Apparently this trip to BrisVegas (seriously – they really call it that) is all about revisiting places that I have been before and missed since leaving in February. I have visited Archive (my favorite bar), my favorite kebab place (Ispa in Wintergarden), and last night – my favorite restaurant – Harujuku Gyoza.
Harajuku Gyoza is a funky little spot that serves Japanese dumplings (gyoza) and beer – you can get a couple of side dishes and some sake along with that – but the menu is very limited and they do it well. The atmosphere is fantastic – they yell a Japanese welcome to you as soon as you open the heavy wooden door. They invite you in and get some beer and steamed edamame in front of you before you can even sit down. It’s a great welcome to a fantastic restaurant.
The star of the show is gyoza. Gyoza is a Chinese street food that is apparently very popular in Japan. It’s a small dumpling that is stuffed with meat or seafood. They are very delicate and the fillings are fantastic. Harujuku does several different filling types ranging from traditional duck all the way to a Kim-chi grilled pork (which is just super) – which you follow up with some HItachino Nest White Ale and you have a dinner that cannot be beaten. It’s fabulous – i must have eaten 15 Kim-chi pork gyoza. So very tasty.
Hitachino Nest White Ale is one of the best white ales on the market currently. It blows the old standbys like Hoegaarden out of the water. With sharp coriander and orange flavor – it really compares well to the gold standard (for me) of Allagash White. If you’re a fan of white ale – and you see this on the shelf – buy it.
And if you are in Brissie (yet another nickname for this fun little town) and you feel like trying something a little of the beaten path of fish and chips, pies and chips, and some more chips – swing on down to Harujuku Gyoza. Have a Hitachino for me.
Up and Adam 
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