Oishinbo

Synopsis

Yamaoka enlists the help of two gyoza masters, Okutsu, who works in a publishing company, and Fang, a Chinese student. They both prepare boiled gyoza and the group is impressed by their versions. The dumplings are made more carefully to withstand boiling, the wrapping is more flavorsome and they do not use garlic as an ingredient. Fang also uses a sauce of black vinegar and sugar to finish his meal. On the day of the battle, Kaibara criticizes traditional Japanese fried gyoza because of inferior wrapping and overuse of garlic. He presents three different steamed gyoza wrapped in translucent rice flour skins; leek, shrimp and fish. Yamaoka then presents his version, boiled gyoza with a meat and vegetable filling, wrapped in wheat flour skins. Although they are highly rated, he looks like losing the battle with Kaibara until he introduces his second effort, a sweet brown sugar gyoza which balances the heavier former version and the battle is declared a tie. Dissatisfied with the decision, Kaibara storms out, while both Chikada and Yamawaki vow to study and improve their respective menus.

(Source: Wikipedia)