Yukimatsu Gyoza

Yukimatsu Gyoza (餃子の雪松) is a Japanese chain of unmanned frozen gyoza specialty stores operated by YES Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kokubunji, Tokyo. The brand was created to preserve and commercialize the secret recipe of 'Oshokuji-dokoro Yukimatsu,' a Chinese-style diner founded in 1940 (Showa 15) in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture (then Minakami-machi). The original restaurant, known as a hidden gem among gyoza enthusiasts, has been run by three generations of the same family. Yasushi Hasegawa, the current president of YES, is the nephew of the third-generation owner. In 2016, Hasegawa began prototyping gyoza to keep the taste alive, and in September 2018, the first Yukimatsu Gyoza store opened in Iruma, Saitama Prefecture. Initially, stores offered eat-in grilled gyoza with staff, but from the 12th store (Oizumigakuen, Nerima, Tokyo) in July 2019, the chain switched to a 24-hour unmanned sales model to handle long lines. The stores are typically glass-fronted with security cameras, and customers take frozen gyoza from a freezer and put payment into a box resembling a saisen-bako (offering box). The only product is a 36-piece pack of frozen gyoza priced at 1,000 yen (tax included). The gyoza features a generous amount of cabbage and a chewy skin. The chain expanded rapidly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to stay-at-home demand and the appeal of no-contact shopping. Store count grew from 42 in July 2020 to 372 by April 2022. In September 2021, it entered Utsunomiya, a city famous for gyoza. The success has inspired many similar unmanned gyoza stores. YES also operates the Japan Ramen Science Research Institute.

The history of Yukimatsu Gyoza begins with 'Oshokuji-dokoro Yukimatsu,' a Chinese-style diner founded in 1940 (Showa 15) in the hot spring town of Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. The restaurant, run by three generations of the same family, became a hidden gem known for its gyoza, attracting celebrities, professional athletes, and famous chefs. The secret recipe created by the first owner has been strictly guarded for over 80 years. In 2014, YES Co., Ltd. was established, initially operating a 1,000-yen haircut business and real estate. In 2016, the company planned to enter the food service industry and began product development. Yasushi Hasegawa, the current president of YES, is the nephew of the third-generation owner of Yukimatsu. Wishing to preserve the taste of the restaurant, which had no successor, Hasegawa started prototyping gyoza in 2016. In September 2018, the first Yukimatsu Gyoza store opened in Iruma, Saitama Prefecture. Initially, stores offered eat-in grilled gyoza with staff. However, in July 2019, when the 12th store opened in Oizumigakuen, Nerima, Tokyo, the chain switched to a 24-hour unmanned sales model to handle long lines and improve efficiency. This model proved successful, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to stay-at-home demand and the appeal of no-contact shopping. The chain expanded rapidly: from 42 stores in July 2020 to 200 stores in August 2021, and 372 stores by April 2022. In September 2021, it entered Utsunomiya, a city famous for gyoza. The success has inspired many similar unmanned gyoza stores. The brand continues to operate as a chain of unmanned stores, with only a few exceptions having attached factories.

• 2022

  372 stores as of April.

• 2021

  Reaches 200 stores in August; enters Utsunomiya, Tochigi in September.

• 2020

  42 stores as of end of July.

• 2019

  12th store in Oizumigakuen, Nerima, Tokyo, switches to 24-hour unmanned sales.

• 2018

  First Yukimatsu Gyoza store opens in Iruma, Saitama.

• 2016

  Yasushi Hasegawa begins prototyping gyoza to preserve Yukimatsu's taste.

• 2014

  YES Co., Ltd. established.

• 1940

  Oshokuji-dokoro Yukimatsu founded in Minakami, Gunma.

Affordable, convenient, no-contact frozen gyoza inheriting a historic secret recipe.

• Frozen gyoza (36 pieces)

  The only product offered, priced at 1,000 yen (tax included). Features a chewy skin and a cabbage-rich filling.

• Gyoza sauce

  Original sauce, no eggs used.

1. 1【公式】餃子の雪松yukimatsugyoza.com
2. 2雪松の想い - 【公式】餃子の雪松yukimatsugyoza.com
3. 3餃子の雪松について - 【公式】餃子の雪松yukimatsugyoza.com
4. 4よくある質問 - 【公式】餃子の雪松yukimatsugyoza.com
5. 5餃子の雪松 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
6. 6Yukimatsu Gyoza - Wikidatawikidata.org