Chef Hitoshi Umamichi is One of Japan's Gyoza Masters - The Experts
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มิ.ย. 2024
- Before chef Hitoshi Umamichi bought Japan’s Gyozanomise Okei in 2005, he was a regular at the Tokyo shop. Since perfecting the restaurant's traditional gyoza recipe, he has landed a spot in the Michelin Guide.
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Producer: Carla Francescutti
Field Producer/Director: Michael Tudda
First Assistant Director: Adrien Lacoste
Production Coordinator: Arya Popli
Production Assistant: Karen Yamashiro
Director of Photography: Benjamin Parrot
Camera Operator: James Honeycutt
Lighting Technician: Wally Yoshimura
Sound Recordist: Jason McNamara
Assistant Editor: Lennon Katsumata
Editor: Yoshio Kohashi
Transcriber: Mac Kendema
Subtitles: Saga Translations
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Development Producer: Ian Stroud
Supervising Producer: Stefania Orrù
Audience Development: Terri Ciccone, Frances Dumlao, Avery Dalal
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
0:56 - Dough
3:52 - Filling
7:45 - Wrapping
9:34 - Frying
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This man worked as an architect until 50 yrs old and then started his second specialization as a chef until he became a gyoza master, where his restaurant was even given a michelin star. All because he didn't want to see the gyoza restaurant that he was fond off since he was a kid close down and that he wanted to continue its tradition. As well as still looking very strong for his age. This is someone to aspire to.
Not a Michelin star recipient but included in the guide, which is still an honor for any restaurant or shop. They have guides for most large cities/tourist areas and most restaurants within them do not have any stars.
Doesn't take away from anything else you said, just thought it should be noted.
@@winebartender6653 I'm not sure about the distinction but I know they have different types of awards. So my guess is unless it's a full courses dining restaurant any Michelin award is not the same kind we know of people like gordon ramsay get with his restaurant. But still quite an accomplishment.
@@holohulolo There aren't really any guidelines to the type of restaurant that can or cannot receive stars. Doesn't have to be full service or full course or anything like that.
The guide is just that, a food guide of the area highlighting good places to eat. Most restaurants in the guides do not have any stars and are of every type of establishment. The cheapest meal for a 1 star restaurant is $1.50 and is the same type of shop this is.
It takes a lot to get even 1 star. Food has to be quite exceptional.
Average Japanese man tbh lmao
A true MC
From regular customer to master of production, now that's dedication.
:ujhu;
He was in architecture until around 50 years old.. that is impresive to me 😍💪
Shutup noob
@@punjungpun Just shows its never too late to chase your dreams
I’ve never heard of someone being a customer since a boy turning into the owner
I can offer a unique perspective.
I’m currently backpacking Japan and am coincidentally in Tokyo. I happened to see this video an hour ago. I hopped on the subway and came right here. There was a short line at 11:45a (they open 11:30a) and I waited about 20 minutes.
The dumplings are exceptional. The wrapper is so soft, and while the sesame oil is noticeable, it’s not overpowering. Ingredients, texture, and execution are fantastic. With 6 dumplings per order, I got 2 orders and a large beer. (Total was ~$12 USD).
I owned a dumpling shop a few years ago - I want to emphasize how hard it is to maintain consistency. Getting perfect wings takes serious skill. Dumpling skins are sensitive, so getting the perfect heat on your cooking surface takes skill.
Flavorful dumplings. World class technique. Helpful and efficient service. Would absolutely return.
just curious: did the japanese customers also have 12 gyoza´s for lunch or just 6? ....
Amazing!
@@mamu1319 the patron next to me got 0 dumplings, and instead opted for a noodle soup dish. I saw couples splitting 2 orders of dumplings, another solo eater eating 2 orders, and plenty of people eating 1 order with other menu items. Lots of variety in ordering.
Bravo.
@@haydenmink1878 thanks for the report
His shop's specialty is only gyoza and he gave out the recipe freely.
This guy is a legend!!
because he knows it takes years to execute, no shame giving it out
Its not exactly a secret, ask any chinese person and they'll share the recipe
the proportion wasn't mentioned so no one can copy actually
@@skinnymon123 Ancient Chinese Secrets lol
@@animemusic8 anyone that knows what they're doing with dough and cooking can approximate it, but you're right, an amateur could not
Imagine loving a food stall so much you took it over just so it wont close. Thats passion for food right there.
It’s not a food stall.
@@cwg73160 🤓
And then putting it on the Michelin guide...
That's the Japanese for you
People who can just dedicate their life to perfecting their craft really amaze me
Life*
You really amaze me
They’re called people with careers.
@@codytorres6249 *lives
He started at 50 years old...
One thing I learn from this man, is not how to make the gyoza itself.
But... "It's never too old to learn."
Prop to him, from an Architect into a master of Gyoza. I can't even fathom what it takes to the reach that level.
Well he said he took over in 2005 and he only felt that he mastered his craft in the last 5 or 6 years, so that would suggest it took him circa 13 years. He makes 200 portions x6 Gyoza a day, so that's 1200 a day. Assuming he takes weekends off (104 days) and takes the Japanese statutory holidays off (16 days), that leaves 245 working days per year.
(1200x245)x13 = 3,822,000 Gyoza.
@@semi-skimmedmilk4480 Put the math aside. What I meant by, "What it takes." was what its feels like to leave something that he really know, in this case "Architecture" into a Chef.
@@ryannovel8892 I mean, he was 50 when he left architecture.. probably wanted a change and had savings to do it securely. As an architect he was probably quite creative so 30 years in one career might eventually feel claustrophobic.
It seems strange because by that point, in the West, we just decide to slog it out for another 10-15 years until retirement. In Japan however they have quite an old working population so moving on to an easier job is most likely more common.
@@ryannovel8892 Going from architecture to making dumplings was probably a mental relief for him.
It takes 10%luck, 20% skill
I have every respect that they gave credit to the origin of gyoza, which is from China and that they owe the great taste of their gyoza by staying faithful to the original recipe.
Origins are debated. Manti is a common dish throughout Central Asia and Mongolia. Turkic and Mongolic people eat it too. It became popular in Japan after Japanese migration into Manchuria.
@@yo2trader539 Nomadic culture in Central Asia & Mongolia do not historically eat food that comes from agriculture practice like flour, neither do they eat meat in small bite-size. It's adopted from China, just like their tea.
@@yo2trader539 imagine being this wrong
@@mike-yk4yk hahaha! We are all a little wrong...Smilin' here.
@@yo2trader539 migration? Just like how the Nazis migrated to Poland?
I love how he's just so open and honest as a master. He's not like I'm the best I got the secret ingredients and I know everything. He worked his way at it and shares his knowledge as a normal individual that just makes gyōzas trying to share the love
Lies again? God Mode Gold Medals
He symbolizes the Perspective that most Japanese craftsmen approach their work. Everything is in the details, makes all difference when trying to achieve quality.
As a Michelin Star Chef , I would like to taste this Chefs gyoza.
Makes sense why the Japanese make the best vehicles, electronics, motorbikes, Dirtbikes they truly take quality and attention to detail beyond everyone else. Never bought a bad quality product from Japan. Plus the people are very respectful and polite compared to the western world
@@moto3463 Having lived here for almost 10 years now, it depends. If you're white, yes. If you're any other Asian besides Japanese, not so much.
Still that's the loud minority, most people are just like folks everywhere
did you see how he sealed the dumplings and how they look like a kid played with it? now google any standard dumpling and see how crappy this "master" made his dumpling, i dont hink he can represente the craftmanship of japan XD
@@manbolomo He actually admits in the video that he's "not good at tactile tasks." After all he started learning in his 50's so it's understandable the dumplings may not look the best visually. I'd still like to eat the gyozas. They look delicious!
Dude left his job as an architect to make gyozas 😳.. incredible
Kaiman would be happy to visit
I love how analytical he is about ingredients and technique, you can really tell he cares about understanding WHY his food is good!
underrated part of all this is that he didn’t skimp and get easier to obtain and home grown substitute ingredients and stayed extremely true to the original recipe. same goes for who had that shop before and hopefully who gets it after.
yeah, except he sealed the dumblings like some kid playing with dough, google how standard dumplings look like and then look at his.
@@manbolomo I bet you've never seen japanese gyoza in person. Also it's not like you can do any better.
@@manbolomo ahh In every youtube video, there is always that one who tries hard to be a smart-ass. And in this video it's you.
@@manbolomo u represent ur profile picture
@@manbolomo braindead
as a chinese guy i would eat at this restaurant if i ever get the chance. the energy this guy gives off brings all the Asians together. and thats the energy the world needs right now. nobody is better than anyone else. lets respect each other.
I genuinely feel that if more people took this man's approach to life the world would be a utopia.
Well said, my dude
Yep. Full marks to the Japanese
This guy took over ownership of a restaurant just because he didn't want the previous owner to be sad. What a nice guy.
A real master is it: kindness share his recipe, kindness explain the details. Any trace of sober. A food made with love and dedication. He is a real masterchef
Incredible, the way he makes his dumplings so perfectly, there crispy and juicy at the very same time shows how much care and dedication he puts in them.
If only I could taste them I would be very happy
A specialist: from knowing the origins and history to improving his craft using food science and human feel. Artisans need to appreciated more.
Japanese shops are always like that. Owner is the master at craft and does almost everything to ensure best quality possible. It's magical
It's actually problematic,
.
I have seen many restaurants that fail because the owner does not share the recipe with the younger generation,
.
when they die the workers are then forced to make up a recipe that is not up to par with the original.
@@saintsocramnymaia5511 What are the names of all these restaurants? Where is this happening? Id like to research this a bit if you have any restaurant names.
what a legend - truly an inspiring dude & amazing how he took over the legacy and made it his own dance. I loved how he gave gyoza homage to China for their jiaozi
Everyone in Japan know that Gyoza is Chinese food aka 中華料理, not 和食 aka native Japanese cuisine.
Made by himself 1.362 Gyoza from scratch per day?? That is a new level of dedication.. Thanks for sharing, Eater!
This man is an example of why you should follow your passions and make a difference, no matter how old you are 🤩
I love he's slowed the process down, showing the entire process, his ingredients, you can see the amounts. He wants younger generations to know how to make it properly and do it the right way for perfect handmade Gyoza. He wants it to continue and knows he doesn't need to worry about giving any "secrets away". He's "made his fortune" do to speak and wants to teach and pass it on to us. Very cool. Would love to work under him in the kitchen. He's thoughtful and a patient teacher just like family and mentors I grew up with teaching me all kinds of skills from building, to cooking, to outdoor living and all necessary spiritual & life skills...
Pure dedication and love to what he's doing. He deserves his fame.
It's so relaxing watching an expert at work😇
A True Artist..A master Craftsman..
Huge respect from India!
Incredible content, he wasn't afraid to show exactly how he makes gyoza, he's a true master.
Indeed! And since you like exquisite cuisine:
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I have enormous respect for you, chef.
Japanese people’s respect to craftsmanship is just astonishing.
From being an architect to chef, that's wholesome.
The food will never go wrong if the chef is passionate about his craft.
Absolutely fascinating. Although he continues the traditional methods, he also constantly improves the recipe to make the tradition as close to perfect as he can.
Love how much love and effort he puts into part of his craft. Props to you Mr. Umamichi 👏
I love how so many different cultures have developed their variant of that dish. And so far I've liked all of them. No matter of Chinese Wan Tan, Polish Piroggi, Japanese Gyoza, and many more.
😍Love his dedication to his favourite food! 💗 Thank you, Master, for your hard work, to continue and preserving this tradition, so others can feel the same joy eating them !
I like how even though he's now the owner, he still refers to the original owner as _the_ owner. That's some level of respect only the Japanese can give.
His attention to detail is admirable.
This is so cool. I'm glad he took one thing, and chose to master that. So many restaurants try too hard with their menus. Keep it simple, make a great product and keep it consistent.
I was impressed when he said he takes the air humidity into account when making the dough. That's true mastery.
Beautiful story. So many unique aspects of this country.
"I've committed to making these until I can't move anymore." huge respect. I sincerely hope the younger generation will be interested to pick up the ropes.
The first second of this video is enough to convince me that this tiny little dumpling shop will be a legendary dining experience.
What an amazing story and what a master at the fine craft of gyoza. Making dough so supple, tender, and with a great bite is not easy. Fantastic video
I don't think anyone pursues perfection quite like the Japanese.
What a master and what quality
yeah, look at those dumbling looking like some kid played with them, master making uglier dumbling than any regular housewife i pretty bad.
I love how he switches careers without a second thought, like hmm I like cooking, I can do this.
besides admiring his determination to keep that business and someone elses legacy going on the other thing I'm shocked by is how amazingly giant/fresh/clean that cabbage is
I just can't even. Those look so delicious I'm at a loss for words.
Even his name Umami-chi already sounds delicious.
hardwork,dedication and passion. This man is truly amazing.
I love the dedication japanese people put in each craft they do
I've only cooked frozen ones once where the bottom had this incredible crunch that was the most addicting aspect of them. They were perfect. I haven't been able to replicate it since. I've cooked them all kinds of ways and all kinds of brands but only once did it hit with perfection. His method is the slurry really does make a great crunch. Only sad thing here is I'll never be able to try his perfect gyoza in my life because I love them. Looks like I'll have to invest some years of practice to create my own.
He didn't just carry the torch. He elevated it.
just by looking at the color of the crust and how original the ingredient list is, you know this will be tasty
Profoundly thoughtful and beautifully shot and edited. I felt as if I were there in person. Superb Effort.
6 years for making a proper Gyoza? what a dedicated chef.. salute!
Who else just squeezed their earlobe?
Not me dawg💀💀💀
I squeezed your mom's butt
✋🏾 yep.
I did😂
Men like him are very rare, we need more prideful chefs like him in this world.
What a kind and humble man!
The cabbage and chives prok dumpling. A chinese best seller indeed great choice
Wow, bought the shop from original founder and make sure this shop will not disappear, what a legend
Those look so good. I really like the way this guy cooks; it’s very impressive 🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟
Thank you for showing us all what your specialty is. We appreciate You. 🎉😊
I love watching these videos and the craftsmanship and care.
These look delicious!
I am very proud of this man. He has a profound affinity for that restaurant and the dumpling. Congratulations
Nice! Hope i can make it to the shop one day!
The dedication of this man to be willing to hand make almost a half million a year gyoza a year... amazing! 🙂
I'm a 41yrs old and was a chef for 20yrs. I give this man and everyone #MADRESPECT for making everything from. Srcatch.. trust me even when it isn't it's is a 80-100hr week with you back hurting and no life what's ao ever
Exactly...doing it until the minute you die... what's the point? Looks more like slavery to a communist regime but I digress.
This series together with the Mise En Place series is SO GOOD and inspiring! Thank you for bringing this. Would love to see some episodes from my own country Denmark. Keep it up, love it ! :)
What is there gonna be from Denmark? Dry crackers and boiled fish? lmao
Thank you chef! My son is on a special diet due to kidney failure. I used 2 pounds ground chicken 1/3 large cabbage and handful of green onions. I omitted salt (he can’t have added salt) and used granulated garlic and onion in its place. I guesstimated measurements of the remaining seasoning and used store bought gyoza wrappers then cooked like I would pot stickers fry bottoms add water ect and without cornstarch slurry (he can’t have cornstarch). These gyoza did not even need dipping sauce!! So delicious!! My son and his friend ate about 95 gyoza in one sitting! I only made 120! Amazing flavor!! Love your seasoning!!! Thank you 💗
I absolutely love guys like this! I'm 50 years old and I've been an architect all my life? Sure, I'll buy my old favorite gyoza place and give it a shot! Why not? Never too old to learn.
Wow.. a true shokunin (master of craft). Cooking all the gyoza by feeling and experience. Experimenting over the years of what works and doesn't. Crazy to think he started this when he was already 50 and received Michelin star. Also sad that people dedicating their lives to these crafts and not in it for the money are becoming exceedingly rare.
The thing about mastering something is that even when you give every single step of the recipe freely, still nobody can make the food taste exactly like you do. It's not just the ingredients, real cooking comes from decades of hard work, patience, and most importantly, love for the food that you're making.
Absolutely. You can have the best ingredients, the best equipment accessible, but without the consistency and knowledge you might as well be working with nothing.
Need more videos like this! So good! Hungry now
He is also a great professor. Explaining the details of tools and ingredients. 😊
Just got my japan tickets. I'll be eating these soon!!
Whoever can eat at these sort of places with these specialist chefs should do it asap before they all become super rare to find in the modern day... they don't make chefs like these anymore.
All that work for 5min of bliss.
OK but I make dumplings in a pretty similar way to this guy and it is deffo worth it! I made a big batch and ate like 20 every day... I also gained like 10 kgs but that's not important, the taste of these things are so heavenly you would willingly waste 10 days making them just to eat them in 10 minutes.
One of my favourite dishes. Exquisite.
This is awesome
My secret ingredient is chopped water chestnuts - from a can! Rinsed 3 times. The crunchiness is so delightful. Learned to use hot water & let it rest 2 times. What a wonderful man to tell his secrets. It's not like YT visitors are in competition with him. Much love from Portland, Oregon.
Simple yet so many steps. This is a hardworking man
Love for food can change your whole world in an instant
Outstanding. Love the fact that he is using the traditional recipe, without changes. That said, I tried making these with crocodile meat, and it was a new (in the good way) experience.
Thats his ikigai right there. The japanese are a different breed.
when brother said he was twice my age when he decided to start this journey and become a master i was heartened, i needed to hear that today!
Japan teaches us, especially through food, how to put value to small things.
Great personality, great chef!!
I think every dumpling maker mom should also have a title of dumpling MASTER!
He even kept some of the Chinese original recipe and techniques of the pot sticker. I wish I'd known about this place my last time in Tokyo. I remember some places you could order a 100pc platter of gyoza
I allways have deep respect for People with a great Craftmanship!
Another amazing portrait over an amazing chef and person! Thx guys :)
As a half-chinese who loved wih my chinese part for over 10 years im so happy to see he actually pays a lot of attention to the criapy wings it just gives a whole new level of flavor to the gyoza
I love that I can't Get the food I watch on This channel because it's on the other side of the planet.
You must have never heard of airplanes before.
@@henryt9281 you must not have heard of poor people.
@@henryt9281 so you're that rich that you can hop on a plane when you're hungry?
Great video!! Can't wait for Eater to do a food tour around China and uncover the culinary culture there with hundreds if not thousands of years history.
Our prayers and support will always be upon you young old man...
God Bless You.. 🙏🙏
Very insightful and a lesson in perfection.
Best video on this channel so far. It's so rare to see a Japanese master at his age paying homage to Chinese traditions. Wonderful chef.
might as well say the Italians are paying homage to chinese traditions when they make pasta, and France with their fries.
EVERYTHING anyone cooks, anywhere, by your standard, pays homage to Chinese culture.
@@ritzbrecio Homage implies intent. Unless a person intentionally does something for a certain person or people, there’s no homage. So, no, you can’t “might as well” say that.
@@ritzbrecio Japanese people know that Gyoza is Chinese food while only some ignorant foreigners considered it as Japanese and insulted every Chinese who claimed Gyoza is Chinese food.
@@ritzbrecio ignorant moron. Gyoza originated in CHina. Japanese brought it to Japan during WW2
@@Wvk5zc learn to read. No one is disputing that. Im just saying that sweeping generalizations don't work when we trying to articulate food culture and context.
Would you understand that it was gyoza making video made by a japanese man when i say "i just watched a guy make Chinese dumplings today".
Context, people. Also, learn english and how it's used. E.g. how context work
I have made gyoza from scratch. It’s quite labor intensive and technically challenging. It’s far superior than anything I have eaten in the US, but I don’t have the passion to make it but once in a blue moon. He has passion, dedication, and the technical expertise which I admired.
i recently started making gyoza too, and i understand the struggle for making it. seeing this video just inspire me to make gyoza better.
What kind of meat do you use? I have used a spray bottle to keep the shells moist to make them pliable. I buy the wrappers because making the shells are laborious. What is your recipe? @@fadlialamsyah9376
I use soy sauce, sesame oil, blanched Chinese cabbage that I wring all the water out of it, sesame oil, garlic, chives, a little cornstarch, egg, soy sauce, ginger. The cornstarch makes the filling more solid. This is a nice combination of ingredients and spices. My wife likes to add peas. @@fadlialamsyah9376
Ground pork.
Deeeeep bow and respect to this man because of the people like him we can still eat great food instead proceed food from factory's many thanks 🙏
wow this japanese people who dedicated theiir life to a single craft is amazing