Gyoza is ready to serve at New Cairo’s Leven Square Mall

? Care for some chicken katsu? Since opening its doors in June 2024 in Mivida’s Lake district, Gyoza has been satiating all sorts of Asian-craving appetites with a cozy atmosphere, warm bowls, and an abundance of spice. Just this summer, the Asian hotspot expanded with an all-new branch at New Cairo’s Leven Square Mall — and naturally, we had to stop by.

Comprising mostly outdoor seating, the new Gyoza at Leven Square takes the joint’s dining experience to new heights — literally. Dining booths are laid out in a manner reminiscent of District 5’s Don Eatery, though following a more humble and rustic approach. You’ll find regular tables, and you’ll find elevated booths with their own mini staircase for some privacy (and altitude). It’s a casual experience reminiscent of picnics, with the added benefit of soulful Asian cuisine.

Call us crazy, but we skipped out on the gyozas. Our previous visit to the OG Mivida branch saw us try all the gyozas on the menu and subsequently fall in love with the expertly cooked and seasoned dumplings. This time around, we decided to expand our horizons, and try out everything else. After perusing the menu, we picked out the Mongolian spicy beef, the golden curry katsu, Korean stirred fries, and a helping of kimchi.

The food came faster than we could say Gyo-. Less than 10 minutes after placing our order, we found ourselves digging into the Korean stirred fries, battered, deep-fried, and topped with a spicy tangy sauce that we’re told had a bit of Gochujang chili paste — which explains a lot. Though it was spicy, it wasn’t overbearing, and our chopsticks couldn’t get enough. The kimchi was fresh, cold, and tangy, though the portion was a little underwhelming.

Then came the mains. The chicken curry katsu and the Mongolian beef were next in line, and one bite into the former proved that Gyoza wasn’t here to play around. The chicken was golden-crisp, succulent, and — dipped in the curry — proved unbeatable. The Mongolian beef, however, left a bad taste in our mouths — literally and figuratively. Initially inviting with a rich aroma and smokey flavor, the beef left an unpleasant aftertaste that we originally attributed to the sauce composition, but found ourselves unable to brave.

The team at Gyoza were more than happy to accommodate, switching out the dish for a classic sweet and sour chicken, which turned out to be the star of the evening, so perhaps it’s truly darkest before the dawn indeed. Despite the bump in the road, our experience was pleasant, and both the sweet and sour and katsu chicken dishes had us swiftly ignoring the hiccup with the beef. The staff were friendly, service was swift, and flavors were on point.

Done with your meal but your sweet tooth is still tingling? We’d recommend heading next door to Humans& and trying out their guilt-free dessert menu. We tried out the chocolate mousse and were shocked at how light — and delicious — it was.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find the new Gyoza branch at New Cairo’s Leven SquareMall.

? Per person: EGP 600-700

? Outdoor seating: Yes

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: Yes