No, it's not a Japanese movie monster, but Japanese dumplings. There are endless varieties and recipies, of which this is just one, but the method is the same for all.

(Truthfully, this picture shows the ingredients for a different, chicken-based dumpling)

You'll need:

1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cups chopped or shredded Nappa or cabbage
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4c)
1 clove garlic, smashed and chopped
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1/2 pound ground pork
1 egg

Cook the vegetables in the sesame oil until soft. Add the pork and the egg and stir until the pork is well cooked.

Let the mixture cool

Step 1: Filling

Lay the gyoza wrappers on your plate or cutting board. Place a tablesopoon of filling on each. Wet half the wrapper with a finger dipped in cold water, fold over, and press.

Step 2: Cooking

Here you have several options- you can:

- deep fry them in oil until browned

- pan fry then in oil until browned

- drop them in boiling water, and scoop them out when they float

- steam them