Potsticker paradise: A new Japanese restaurant is about to open in east Wichita
Back in February, Yokohama Ramen Izakaya owner Jack Fukuda announced plans for a third restaurant, this one called Gyoza Bar.
Now, 10 months later, he’s about to open that restaurant.
The new eatery — which sits next door to his Yokohama Ramen Izakaya restaurant in Normandie Center, Central and Woodlawn — will open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 21. Fukuda is planning a big grand-opening party from 11 a.m. to noon that will feature a ribbon cutting, traditional Japanese dancers and musicians, a martial arts demonstration, music and giveaways.
The restaurant is taking over the space at 6248 E. Central where NuWay operated until it closed in 2022. It’s directly to the west of his other Normandie Center restaurant, which opened in 2019.
Gyoza Bar is a “modern Japanese eatery” that will specialize in Japanese-style dumplings, also known as gyoza. Diners will be able to get several different types of dumplings at the restaurant, including potstickers, deep-fried dumplings and steamed dumplings. The potstickers will be homemade in the dining area so customers can watch, Fukuda said.
The restaurant’s menu also will offer small-plate appetizers unique to Wichita that will be made with fresh fish and Japanese Wagyu beef imported from Japan. Customers also will be able to order things like sashimi, Wagyu tartar, udon noodle soups, stir-fry udon noodles, and Japanese curry rice dishes, which Fukuda said are the ultimate comfort food in Japan.
It will include a bar serving Fukuda’s own private-brand sake as well as sake and wine imported from Japan, which will be used to make cocktails.
The restaurant will seat 80-90 people inside and also have a private dining room and a large patio.
Fukuda also is the owner of Yokohama Ramen Joint at 613 W. Douglas in Delano, which he opened in 2016. That tiny restaurant, which doubles as a boba shop called Mr. Lion Tea, was so popular that three years later, Fukuda decided to expand into Normandie Center with a larger, second restaurant that offered small-plate appetizers and ramen soup.
In 2022, Normandie Center got new owners, who have spearheaded a major remodel of the center. It also includes Red Bird sandwich restaurant and the recently remodeled and reopened Il Primo.
Fukuda said he didn’t have Gyoza Bar’s menu ready yet but will by Dec. 18, when he’s putting on an invitation-only soft-opening event.
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 2:12 PM.
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