[From Kyoto] Born from a Manager's Flash of Insight, "The Flavor Was Nailed in One Shot" – The Birth of "Mala Gyoza," Specializing in Spiciness and Numbing Sensation
In early May 2026, Marushin Hanten Co., Ltd. (Kyoto) developed and released "Mala Gyoza," a new, sensation-focused gyoza that maximizes the spiciness of doubanjiang and the numbing quality of Sichuan pepper. This new gyoza is available for purchase on their online store.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 22:53
- 🔍 Collected: May 14, 2026 at 14:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 15, 2026 at 06:15 (16h 13m after Collected)
**Mala Gyoza**
In early May 2026, Marushin Hanten Co., Ltd. (Head office: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto; CEO: Ryushiro Maekawa) developed and released "Mala Gyoza," a new style of gyoza specializing in stimulation, maximizing the "spiciness" of doubanjiang chili bean paste and the "numbing sensation" of Sichuan peppercorns. These new gyoza can be purchased at our mail-order site, the Marushin Hanten Fresh Gyoza Direct Sales Store.
**Product Overview**
**Exterior**
Established in 1977 in Higashiyama Sanjo, Kyoto.
Marushin Hanten is a local Chinese restaurant beloved by both local customers and tourists.
While preserving traditional flavors like our signature gyoza and tenshinhan, we actively take on new challenges that align with the times.
In recent years, we have focused on expanding our frozen gyoza vending machine business and mail-order services, expanding our sales channels as a "local Chinese restaurant that delivers the taste of Kyoto nationwide."
**Mala Gyoza Cross-Section**
This Mala Gyoza is a product that expands the "potential of local Chinese cuisine," set against the backdrop of the recent, steadily growing trend of "mala" (numbing and spicy).
The first bite brings the umami of the gyoza and an intense spiciness, immediately followed by the numbing sensation of Sichuan pepper.
We've crafted an addictive flavor that becomes more irresistible the more you eat, making it hard to put your chopsticks down.
**The Development Story**
**The Manager Eating Gyoza**
The development was sparked by a certain "sense of unease" from the manager.
There are many "spicy gyoza" in the world.
But surprisingly few are memorable after you finish eating them.
"Isn't it just ending at being spicy?"
The manager aimed for something that wasn't just spicy, but had a "numbing sensation that lingers in the brain afterward."
The manager usually makes trial gyoza based on feeling alone.
On this day too, he adjusted with "add a little of this, take away a little of that... and a bit more Sichuan pepper," a process based almost entirely on intuition.
The entire staff watched on with faces that said, "Uh, are you sure about this...?"
Then came the tasting.
The moment they tasted the finished gyoza, the atmosphere in the kitchen changed completely.
Everyone's chopsticks stopped, and they silently went for a second bite.
After a while, someone muttered, "...This is a beer thief."
Another staff member followed up with, "Manager, you've got a stroke of genius in you today."
The manager, with his arms crossed, gave a mysterious comment: "No, the Sichuan pepper spoke to me."
The kitchen erupted in laughter.
Normally, developing a new product involves repeated trials.
However, this Mala Gyoza was, unbelievably, approved on the first try.
Everyone unanimously agreed, "...It's better not to touch this anymore."
And thus, the 'Mala Gyoza,' which lures you into a "numbing-spicy swamp," was born.
**Product Details**
This product will be sequentially made available on our mail-order site, at some vending machines installed in Kyoto Prefecture, and at stores like Seisenkan Nakamura and Drug Hikari.
**Price**
Mala Gyoza is 980 yen (11 pieces) at vending machines.
Quantities and prices may vary at other stores.
**Future Development**
Marushin Hanten Co., Ltd. positions "Mala Gyoza" as the first step in a new challenge. We will actively pursue the installation of more frozen vending machines and expand our sales channels to department stores and supermarkets.
"The taste of local Chinese food, more freely, more accessibly."
We will transcend the boundaries of our restaurant and broadcast the "numbing-spicy culture" from Kyoto to the entire country.
**Comment from the Person in Charge**
**The Manager Talking About Mala Gyoza**
[CEO Ryushiro Maekawa]
With this Mala Gyoza, I didn't just want to make a "spicy gyoza."
I aimed to create a gyoza that makes you want to eat it again, not just at the moment you eat it, but after you've finished, thinking,
"What was that numbing sensation...?"
The aroma and numbing sensation of the Sichuan pepper are a bit aggressive, but I was very conscious of not crossing the line of what makes it delicious as a gyoza.
Honestly, the moment the staff silently went for a second bite during the tasting, I thought, "Ah, this is a winner."
I definitely want not only beer lovers but also spicy food fans to give it a try.
Also, I think the reaction you get when you bring it as a Kyoto souvenir is quite good.
It will probably become a topic of conversation!
In the future, I want to focus on expanding our vending machines and sales channels so that more people can get their hands on it.
In early May 2026, Marushin Hanten Co., Ltd. (Head office: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto; CEO: Ryushiro Maekawa) developed and released "Mala Gyoza," a new style of gyoza specializing in stimulation, maximizing the "spiciness" of doubanjiang chili bean paste and the "numbing sensation" of Sichuan peppercorns. These new gyoza can be purchased at our mail-order site, the Marushin Hanten Fresh Gyoza Direct Sales Store.
**Product Overview**
**Exterior**
Established in 1977 in Higashiyama Sanjo, Kyoto.
Marushin Hanten is a local Chinese restaurant beloved by both local customers and tourists.
While preserving traditional flavors like our signature gyoza and tenshinhan, we actively take on new challenges that align with the times.
In recent years, we have focused on expanding our frozen gyoza vending machine business and mail-order services, expanding our sales channels as a "local Chinese restaurant that delivers the taste of Kyoto nationwide."
**Mala Gyoza Cross-Section**
This Mala Gyoza is a product that expands the "potential of local Chinese cuisine," set against the backdrop of the recent, steadily growing trend of "mala" (numbing and spicy).
The first bite brings the umami of the gyoza and an intense spiciness, immediately followed by the numbing sensation of Sichuan pepper.
We've crafted an addictive flavor that becomes more irresistible the more you eat, making it hard to put your chopsticks down.
**The Development Story**
**The Manager Eating Gyoza**
The development was sparked by a certain "sense of unease" from the manager.
There are many "spicy gyoza" in the world.
But surprisingly few are memorable after you finish eating them.
"Isn't it just ending at being spicy?"
The manager aimed for something that wasn't just spicy, but had a "numbing sensation that lingers in the brain afterward."
The manager usually makes trial gyoza based on feeling alone.
On this day too, he adjusted with "add a little of this, take away a little of that... and a bit more Sichuan pepper," a process based almost entirely on intuition.
The entire staff watched on with faces that said, "Uh, are you sure about this...?"
Then came the tasting.
The moment they tasted the finished gyoza, the atmosphere in the kitchen changed completely.
Everyone's chopsticks stopped, and they silently went for a second bite.
After a while, someone muttered, "...This is a beer thief."
Another staff member followed up with, "Manager, you've got a stroke of genius in you today."
The manager, with his arms crossed, gave a mysterious comment: "No, the Sichuan pepper spoke to me."
The kitchen erupted in laughter.
Normally, developing a new product involves repeated trials.
However, this Mala Gyoza was, unbelievably, approved on the first try.
Everyone unanimously agreed, "...It's better not to touch this anymore."
And thus, the 'Mala Gyoza,' which lures you into a "numbing-spicy swamp," was born.
**Product Details**
This product will be sequentially made available on our mail-order site, at some vending machines installed in Kyoto Prefecture, and at stores like Seisenkan Nakamura and Drug Hikari.
**Price**
Mala Gyoza is 980 yen (11 pieces) at vending machines.
Quantities and prices may vary at other stores.
**Future Development**
Marushin Hanten Co., Ltd. positions "Mala Gyoza" as the first step in a new challenge. We will actively pursue the installation of more frozen vending machines and expand our sales channels to department stores and supermarkets.
"The taste of local Chinese food, more freely, more accessibly."
We will transcend the boundaries of our restaurant and broadcast the "numbing-spicy culture" from Kyoto to the entire country.
**Comment from the Person in Charge**
**The Manager Talking About Mala Gyoza**
[CEO Ryushiro Maekawa]
With this Mala Gyoza, I didn't just want to make a "spicy gyoza."
I aimed to create a gyoza that makes you want to eat it again, not just at the moment you eat it, but after you've finished, thinking,
"What was that numbing sensation...?"
The aroma and numbing sensation of the Sichuan pepper are a bit aggressive, but I was very conscious of not crossing the line of what makes it delicious as a gyoza.
Honestly, the moment the staff silently went for a second bite during the tasting, I thought, "Ah, this is a winner."
I definitely want not only beer lovers but also spicy food fans to give it a try.
Also, I think the reaction you get when you bring it as a Kyoto souvenir is quite good.
It will probably become a topic of conversation!
In the future, I want to focus on expanding our vending machines and sales channels so that more people can get their hands on it.