The Best Food in Yokohama Chinatown: A Culinary Journey

Yokohama Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, with over 200 Chinese restaurants and shops. It is a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike, offering a vast selection of Chinese cuisine and cultural experiences.

The Top Must-Try Foods

🍜 Ramen
🥟 Dumplings
🍢 Yakitori
🍲 Hot Pot
🥡 Bento Boxes
🍛 Fried Rice
🍡 Taiyaki

If you’re a food lover, Yokohama Chinatown is a paradise for you. The range of food options available is overwhelming, and it’s easy to get lost in the sea of possibilities. To help you make the most of your culinary journey, we’ve curated a list of the top must-try foods in Yokohama Chinatown.

Ramen

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, ramen is an all-time favorite. Yokohama Chinatown is home to some of the best ramen shops in Japan, and each offers a unique twist on the classic dish. From savory tonkotsu to spicy miso, there’s a ramen for everyone in Yokohama Chinatown.

1. Ie-kei Ramen

Ie-kei Ramen is a popular Yokohama-style ramen that originated in the city’s Ie-kei area. It’s a thick, pork-bone-based soup with chewy, straight noodles, and toppings like chashu pork, seaweed, and bamboo shoots. One of the best places to try Ie-kei Ramen is at Yoshimura-ya, a small ramen shop that has been around since 1974.

2. Taiho Ramen

Taiho Ramen is another Yokohama specialty that is well worth a try. It’s a shoyu (soy sauce) and tonkotsu (pork bone) soup with thin, curly noodles and a variety of toppings, including chashu pork, green onions, and bamboo shoots. A popular spot for Taiho Ramen is Yoshimuraya, one of the oldest ramen shops in Yokohama.

Dumplings

Dumplings, or gyoza in Japanese, are a staple in Chinese cuisine. Yokohama Chinatown has a plethora of gyoza shops, each with its own unique style and flavor. Whether you prefer them pan-fried or boiled, there’s a gyoza for everyone in Yokohama Chinatown.

1. Kiyoken

Kiyoken is a famous gyoza shop that has been in business since 1927. Their gyoza are known for their crispy bottom and juicy filling, and they’re served with a tangy ponzu sauce. Kiyoken’s gyoza are so popular that they have a factory in Yokohama that produces over 300,000 dumplings a day.

2. Hachiya

Hachiya is another popular gyoza shop in Yokohama Chinatown. Their gyoza are known for their crispy, thin skin and flavorful filling, and they’re served with a sweet and sour sauce. Hachiya’s gyoza are so good that they’ve won awards in gyoza competitions.

Yakitori

Yakitori is a popular Japanese dish that consists of skewered, grilled chicken. It’s a favorite among locals, and Yokohama Chinatown has no shortage of yakitori shops. Whether you prefer your chicken skewers seasoned with salt or dipped in tare sauce, there’s a yakitori for everyone in Yokohama Chinatown.

1. Toriyoshi

Toriyoshi is a well-known yakitori chain in Japan, and their Yokohama Chinatown location is one of the best. Their chicken skewers are made with high-quality, free-range chicken and are seasoned with their secret tare sauce. Toriyoshi also offers a variety of side dishes, including tsukune (chicken meatballs) and grilled vegetables.

2. Karyu

Karyu is a small, cozy yakitori shop that is popular among locals. Their chicken skewers are made with free-range chicken and are seasoned with salt. Karyu also offers a variety of side dishes, including grilled tofu and chicken wings.

Hot Pot

Hot pot, or nabe in Japanese, is a popular winter dish in Japan. It consists of a pot of boiling broth in the center of the table, with various meats, vegetables, and noodles added to the pot. Yokohama Chinatown has a few hot pot restaurants that are worth checking out.

1. Shabu Shabu Tajima

Shabu Shabu Tajima is a popular hot pot restaurant in Yokohama Chinatown. Their shabu shabu hot pot is made with high-quality beef and comes with a variety of vegetables and noodles. The broth is light and flavorful, and the dipping sauces are a perfect complement to the meat and vegetables.

2. Kakiyasu

Kakiyasu is another popular hot pot restaurant in Yokohama Chinatown. Their hot pot is made with a rich, flavorful broth and comes with a variety of meats, vegetables, and noodles. Kakiyasu also offers a selection of dipping sauces and side dishes, including kimchi and fried rice.

Bento Boxes

Bento boxes are a staple in Japanese cuisine. They consist of a box filled with rice, meat or fish, and various side dishes. Yokohama Chinatown has a few restaurants that specialize in bento boxes, and they’re perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

1. Saikai

Saikai is a popular bento box restaurant in Yokohama Chinatown. Their bento boxes are made with high-quality ingredients and come in a variety of styles, including seafood, meat, and vegetarian. Saikai also has a selection of side dishes, including miso soup and salad.

2. Toko-tei

Toko-tei is another popular bento box restaurant in Yokohama Chinatown. Their bento boxes are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and come in a variety of styles, including sushi and tempura. Toko-tei also offers a selection of side dishes, including edamame and pickled vegetables.

Fried Rice

Fried rice is a popular Chinese dish that can be found in almost every Chinese restaurant in Yokohama Chinatown. It’s a simple dish that consists of rice, eggs, vegetables, and meat, but the flavor can vary greatly depending on the restaurant.

1. Hoken

Hoken is a popular Chinese restaurant in Yokohama Chinatown that is known for its fried rice. Their fried rice is made with high-quality ingredients and has a rich, savory flavor. Hoken also offers a variety of side dishes, including dumplings and stir-fried vegetables.

2. Yokohama Ramen Museum

The Yokohama Ramen Museum is not only famous for its ramen, but it also offers a variety of other dishes, including fried rice. Their fried rice is made with a variety of ingredients, including chicken, shrimp, and vegetables, and has a delicious, smoky flavor.

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a popular Japanese dessert that consists of a fish-shaped waffle filled with sweet red bean paste. It’s a favorite among locals, and Yokohama Chinatown has a few shops that specialize in taiyaki.

1. Bunmeido

Bunmeido is a famous Japanese confectionery shop that has been in business since 1900. Their taiyaki are made with high-quality ingredients and have a crispy, golden-brown exterior and a soft, sweet filling. Bunmeido also offers a variety of other Japanese sweets, including mochi and daifuku.

2. Ichigo-ichie

Ichigo-ichie is a small taiyaki shop that is popular among locals. Their taiyaki are made with a variety of fillings, including red bean paste, custard, and chocolate, and they have a light, fluffy texture. Ichigo-ichie also offers a selection of other sweets, including cream puffs and madeleines.

Complete Information about Best Food in Yokohama Chinatown

If you’re planning a trip to Yokohama Chinatown, make sure to come hungry. The area is home to some of the best Chinese and Japanese cuisine in Japan, with a wide variety of dishes to suit every taste. From savory ramen to sweet taiyaki, there’s a dish for everyone in Yokohama Chinatown.

FAQs

1. What is Yokohama Chinatown?

Yokohama Chinatown is a neighborhood in Yokohama, Japan, that is known for its