Kairaku-san had a stylish entrance after the renovation! Although I don't often go out specifically for dumplings, I wanted to find my favorite steamed dumplings and ended up trying the ultimate pan-fried dumplings. We arrived at 11:11 on a weekday and were able to get in easily without waiting. We ordered a set with 5 dumplings and half-fried rice for 1050 yen. I invited a friend along, who also mentioned that they don't usually go out for dumplings, but we were all impressed by the deliciousness of the dumplings! The dumplings were huge but not too hot, which was a relief. The filling was finely chopped vegetables and juicy meat, making them delicious even on their own. They were tasty with just soy sauce, pepper, vinegar, or their original spicy bean paste. The fried rice and soup were also delicious. I thought it would be fine to just order dumplings, but for an extra 250 yen, the fried rice and soup were worth it. I left feeling satisfied and will definitely go back again! Thank you for the meal!

This restaurant is famous for its gyoza and fried rice. I ordered half gyoza and fried rice. The fried rice was a bit bland, personally I felt that it lacked saltiness. However, the soup was a bit on the stronger side. You cannot order a half portion of fried rice, so I ordered a full portion. The gyoza seemed large from the menu, so I ordered 3 pieces. If you order a set meal, you get 5 pieces. In conclusion, 3 pieces were more than enough, in fact, even one piece would have been sufficient because they were so big. The gyoza was delicious as expected, so this place is highly recommended for gyoza lovers. Although I did not try other set meals, the daily specials seemed to offer good value for the portion size. There was a line of about 5-10 people during the evening, but if you are dining alone, you can get in quickly. In terms of service, they do not provide water in bottles, and you have to ask the staff for a refill, which was a bit inconvenient.

After several years, I visited the restaurant on a weekday afternoon around 1 pm. There were two groups waiting, but I was able to get in within about 5 minutes. I had already decided on the B set (half-fried rice + 5 dumplings) before entering, so I ordered it right away. Since it was hot, I wanted to order a beer, but I still had work to do, so I asked for a non-alcoholic beer! However, they didn't have it, even though they had it during the pandemic. It took about 15 minutes from ordering to the food being served. These big dumplings must take a while to cook... I started with the dumplings, and they were delicious. The skin was thick, and the filling had a good balance of vegetables and meat, with plenty of hot meat juice overflowing - hot, delicious, hot, tasty, and so on. The half-fried rice was also hot and moist, with a slightly rich flavor that I like. This fried rice from a local Chinese restaurant is good enough for me! It's a shame I couldn't have a non-alcoholic drink, but the dumplings were delicious. I'm full now, thank you for the meal! P.S. The two women next to me also ordered the B set, I wonder if they were able to finish it all...?

The place was crowded, so it's better to go with just one or two people to get in quickly. I ordered a set meal with three dumplings. It was delicious! The staff was amazing, managing both the in-store line and the takeout orders. Other customers were ordering dishes like stir-fried pork with green peppers, which also looked delicious. I definitely want to come back!笑

Took a Thursday off work to line up before the store opened. The capacity of the restaurant is large, with over 10 people lining up, but I was able to get in easily. I ordered the Gyoza set meal with half rice for 750 yen, plus one extra Gyoza for 160 yen. The Gyoza was larger than expected, with a crispy side and a moist side, and a soft filling. It was very delicious, especially when eaten with vinegar and chili sauce. The default order is 3 Gyoza, but you can also order 2. Many people were ordering the bean sprout ramen, so I'll try that next time. I definitely want to come back.

The dumplings were huge and very satisfying. The yakisoba with plenty of vegetables was healthy. I'm not a big fan of Chinese cabbage, so it was a bit tough for me. These two dishes filled me up quite a bit. When I went around 7 pm, there were about 8 people in line!

Four jumbo dumplings for 640 yen. They are huge, about the size of a clenched fist. And they are so juicy! When you bite into them, the meat juice oozes out. After you finish eating, there is a pool of juice on the plate. The dough is chewy and thick. They have a striking appearance, but the filling is not overly flavorful. It's just the natural deliciousness of the meat and vegetables. Nothing particularly unique in taste. Juicy and delicious big dumplings.

This is a famous restaurant in Ikebukuro known for their jumbo dumplings. I finally had the chance to visit this place that has been on my radar, being one of the top three jumbo dumpling spots in Tokyo alongside Tenryu in Ginza and Taikorou in Yaesu. With nearly 70 years of history, this longstanding establishment truly impressed me not only with its visually striking jumbo dumplings but also with their delicious taste! I visited on a Sunday at 1:30 pm, and there was a small line of only 9 people. Despite usually having long lines even before opening, I was lucky to get in within 5 minutes. I ordered the B set (¥1,200) which came with 5 jumbo dumplings and half fried rice. The dumplings were huge, equivalent to more than 2 regular dumplings each, with a chewy yet crispy skin and a hearty meaty filling with a strong garlic flavor. Although 3 dumplings in the A set (¥1,100) might not be enough, the combination with the half salt ramen with shrimp broth was quite filling. The fried rice and other menu items were also delicious, making this place a versatile spot for solo diners, couples, families, and people of all ages and genders.

I had a meal before work. It was close to 2 pm and a holiday, so there was a line in front of the restaurant. I waited in line for about 15 minutes and entered. I ordered a beer, 3 dumplings, and a side of mapo eggplant. After a 10-minute wait, the food was served. The beer was Asahi Marueff, which I saw for the first time at a business establishment. The dumplings were about 1.3 times the size I expected. The thick skin made even 3 dumplings filling. The mapo eggplant was well-prepared and I quite liked it, although the garlic was quite strong. Oh, I remember I have plans to meet someone after this. The dumplings were delicious, and so was the mapo eggplant. Thank you for the meal.

I visited around 11:00 on Sunday. There was a long line even before the store opened, but I was lucky to get a counter seat just in time. The place got crowded quickly after opening, especially with families being seated on the second floor. I ordered the Gyoza set meal and Oolong tea. The Gyoza was surprisingly large and delicious, with a juicy filling and a good amount of garlic. The turnover rate was high, and the staff focused on efficiency. Overall, it was a great dining experience.

Date and time: Holiday around 4:00 PM Visit: No reservation, no waiting time Purpose: Quick meal Number of people: 2 Atmosphere: Busy Attire: Casual Order: Gyoza set meal for 850 yen

The children were working late so I had dinner alone. I was planning to go to a ramen shop, but it looked like it was going to rain soon, so I changed my plans and went to Kairaku nearby around 5:30 pm on a weekday. The first floor of the restaurant was empty. Based on reviews, I decided to go with the B set. When the B set arrived, I was surprised! From the reviews, I imagined that the gyoza would be quite large. But it was even bigger than I had imagined! It was a size I had never seen before. The gyoza had a juicy meat filling and a refreshing taste, so I ate it without any sauce. It was delicious. The fried rice was just average. I was able to finish everything because I hadn't eaten breakfast and only had salad and soup for lunch, but normally I wouldn't have been able to finish it all. I think the gyoza set was a good choice. I wish there was an option for just 3 gyoza for around 980 yen. I visited once and I'm satisfied. I probably won't go back again.

I was torn between ordering the Gyoza Half Fried Rice Set or the Spicy Miso Ramen, but ended up trying the Gyoza. The gyoza was large, soft, juicy, and refreshing. I ate five pieces and felt full. Also, I was surprised that my order came out in just 10 seconds after ordering.笑

I thought that the gyoza at the miso set was just big and not really flavorful. The ramen was like boiled noodles with soup poured over and toppings added. Even though they have been around for a while, I think that in terms of quality, the jumbo gyoza at Tenryu is better. But it's cheap, so maybe that's just the way it is.

Ikebukuro weekday lunch series. Today, I visited this restaurant after a long time. I arrived before 12 o'clock, and surprisingly there was no line, maybe because the summer vacation is over or because it's still hot. I was seated immediately. I felt like having fried rice today, so I decided to try the fried rice dish on its own instead of the usual set B with mini fried rice. However, it felt a bit lonely not ordering dumplings at this restaurant, and I found out that you can add dumplings from just one piece, so I added two dumplings. The taste was as delicious as always, and the dumplings were quite filling, so I left feeling satisfied. Thank you for the meal.

Around 6:00 pm on a regular day, there were a few solo diners seated. I ordered the B set (half fried rice and 5 dumplings) and it was ready in less than a minute! It seems like many people order the dumplings, or they always have them ready to cook. The dumplings were about three times the size of regular ones, and by the time I finished eating, I was stuffed. The fried rice and soup that came with it were delicious. The dumplings were surprisingly large, but when you bite into them, the juicy filling overflows! *Since they are hot, be careful if you have a sensitive tongue. By the time I left around 6:30 pm, there was already a line forming. On weekends, there is usually a line, so I was lucky to get in without waiting. The service is quick, so even if there is a line, the turnover seems fast! It was delicious!

I ordered the special handmade jumbo dumplings and spicy cod roe lettuce fried rice. The jumbo dumplings had a chewy skin and were filled with plenty of juicy meat, giving them a satisfying texture. The spicy cod roe lettuce fried rice had a great combination of abundant spicy cod roe and lettuce.

I went for the jumbo dumplings, but the ramen and fried rice looked delicious too so I ordered them. The soy sauce ramen was simple and tasty. The fried rice wasn't too salty or greasy, and seemed like a gentle dish for the stomach.笑

Great value for money, especially among Chinese restaurants. The taste is excellent, perfect for a meal after going to the gym. The gyoza portion is generous with 5 pieces, but 3 pieces might be enough. The Kai-raku set is particularly good value, as shown in the photo. The flavors are consistently good, so I plan to visit regularly as a substitute for dining out.

I had lunch at "Kairaku" yesterday. It's a Chinese restaurant located in a small alley near the east exit of Ikebukuro Station (photo 1). The photo 2 shows the menu displayed in front of the restaurant. I arrived around 1:30 pm, and even though it was past the lunch rush, about 60% of the seats were occupied. I could tell why it's listed on Tabelog's Top 100 restaurants, as it must get really crowded during lunchtime. They told me to choose any seat I liked, so I sat at the counter on the first floor. There is also a second-floor seating area. I ordered the "B Set (Gyoza and fried rice set) (¥1,200)". It arrived in about 3-4 minutes (photo 3). The gyoza was huge! It was juicy and the skin was chewy. It wasn't overcooked. The fried rice was average. The food was tasty (above average), but the lack of air conditioning and only accepting cash for payment were minor downsides.

I visited the restaurant for lunch on Tuesday before 12 o'clock. There were no other customers and I was able to enter without waiting. They had a Gyoza set meal for 850 yen (3 jumbo gyoza, white rice, soup, and pickled vegetables), but when I asked if I could change the white rice to fried rice, I was told it was not possible. So, I ordered the B set for 1,200 yen (5 jumbo gyoza, half fried rice, and soup). The jumbo gyoza were really big, as the name suggests, with thick skin. The taste of the gyoza itself was not too strong, so even though I was full, I managed to finish them all. The restaurant has both table and counter seats, so it's suitable for any group size. The ratio of men to women seemed to be about equal, maybe slightly more men. Everyone seemed surprised by the portion size, so if you have a small appetite, be careful. Thank you for the meal!