Though it looks a lot like a larger version of those little cigarette rollers, this gadget is actually used to form perfect stuffed Japanese gyozas. We like it, but Alton Brown would never approve of such a single-function device.
Gyozas, like empanadas, dumplings, or knishes, consist of a stuffing (usually ground meat and spices) wrapped in a thin piece of dough (a “gyoza skin” here in the States) that is then deep-fried, pan-fried, or steamed. They can be a little tricky, because if they’re not sealed airtight they can explode in mid-fry, spraying burning hot oil and gyoza insides everywhere. This gadget looks to automate the process for a perfect seal.
It may not be the most versatile of kitchen gadgets, but if you’re doing a huge batch of gyozas and are some kind of wuss who fears horrible oil burns, we could see it being pretty handy. It’s Japan-only for now, but we’re sure an import kitchen supply store would have this or a similar device. [Akihabara News]
