Eat Your Way Through Yokohama’s Famous Foods! 15 Popular Restaurants You Should Visit

Located Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Isezakichojamachi Station, Araiya Honten is a long-established gyunabe restaurant founded in 1895.
With more than 120 years of history and tradition passed down through generations, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a pioneer among gyunabe restaurants in Japan.
The interior has a calm atmosphere and refined luxury, with a strong sense of traditional Japanese style.
The menu is full of tempting choices, but the restaurant’s signature set, the “Nadai Gyunabe,” is especially popular.
The carefully selected domestic wagyu is elegant and tender, and the way it absorbs the restaurant’s secret broth is exquisite and deeply flavorful. Ingredients such as tofu and shirataki also add textural contrast, bringing out even more of the beef’s umami.
To finish, it is recommended to add an egg to the richly concentrated broth left in the pot and enjoy it over rice.

Located near Kannai Station, Yokohama Seryna Romanjaya is an upscale Japanese restaurant serving seasonal dishes throughout the year.
The interior is filled with a stately atmosphere reminiscent of old Yokohama’s exotic charm and Taisho Roman style, while soft lighting and elegant furnishings create a special experience.
With a wide range of room types, including tatami rooms and glamorous lounges, it is perfect for spending private time for business entertainment, dinners, and anniversaries.
Especially popular menu items include the “Special Matsusaka Beef Stone-Grilled Steak” and the “Shabu-shabu Course,” both of which let you fully enjoy the flavor of the meat in a luxurious dining experience.
Another attraction is the live cooking experience, as the chefs grill the meat over charcoal right in front of you, and you can enjoy it piping hot the moment it is ready.
Of course, the “Gyunabe,” made with a carefully balanced broth you will never tire of, is also excellent.

Located Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Bandobashi Station in Naka Ward, Yokohama, Janomeya is a specialty restaurant for gyunabe and shabu-shabu.
It is a long-established restaurant that has been loved for many years by locals and tourists alike, serving food seasoned in almost the same way as when it first opened in 1893.
Its signature menu items are the “Gyunabe Course” and the “Shabu-shabu Course.”
Both are highly rated from the appetizers to the final dessert, and the warm hospitality of the staff is also well known.
The main beef is top-quality A5-ranked Japanese black wagyu, carefully selected by the owner’s expert eye.
Paired with carefully chosen eggs and the restaurant’s traditional broth, the beef’s umami is brought out even more, creating an exquisite sweet-savory flavor in every bite.
The timing of adding the meat and the balance with the vegetables are also perfect, leaving you fully satisfied after the meal.

The original Yokohama Iekei ramen shop, Iekei Sohonzan Yoshimuraya, is located Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Yokohama Station’s west exit.
The name “Iekei” comes from founder Minoru Yoshimura adding the character “ya” to his shop name.
Long lines of ramen fans and repeat customers form outside the shop almost every day, showing just how popular it is.
Its rich soup, where pork bone and soy sauce blend perfectly, is the main draw, offering bold depth and deep umami.
The short, medium-thick straight noodles, which hold the soup well, have a pleasantly chewy texture.
Topped with tender char siu and spinach, it becomes a hearty and filling bowl.
The menu has just two choices: “Ramen” and “Char siu Ramen.”
That said, there is a wide variety of toppings and seasonings, such as pepper, garlic powder, and fresh garlic, so you can enjoy it your own way.

Located Approx. 3 minutes on foot from the west exit of JR Shin-Sugita Station, Ramen Sugitaya Honten is known as the first directly affiliated branch of Iekei Sohonzan Yoshimuraya.
For more than 30 years, it has carried on the authentic tradition while building its own strong following as a famous ramen shop.
Its signature flavor comes from a secret recipe that combines a pork bone and large amount of chicken stock base with a special soy sauce tare.
The rich soup is deep and bold yet not heavy, leaving a clean finish and an addictive taste.
The standard and popular “Ramen” follows the classic Iekei style, with the noodles and toppings bringing out its delicious flavor.
It goes especially well with rice, and it is recommended to wrap rice in nori soaked in the soup.
Another attraction is that it opens from 5:00am, so you can enjoy ramen in the morning.

Located along Ring Road No. 2 in Konan Ward, Yokohama, Ramen Kan2ya is one of the directly affiliated branches of Iekei Sohonzan Yoshimuraya.
Its rich pork bone and soy sauce soup is made by carefully extracting animal-based stock from pork and chicken bones, and one sip fills your mouth with its weighty flavor.
The chewy medium-thick straight noodles from Sakai Seimen, a favorite among Iekei ramen shops, pair perfectly with the soup for an outstanding bowl.
The large char siu, whose umami deepens with every bite, is also highly praised, so if you want a hearty meal, the “Char siu Ramen” or “Char siu Mabushi Rice Bowl” is a great choice.

This Chinese restaurant stands just off Isezakicho Shopping Mall, the main street that once flourished as central Yokohama.
Since its founding in 1918, it has become a famous restaurant known nationwide for “sanma-men,” a local Yokohama specialty.
The interior has a nostalgic atmosphere that feels like stepping back into the Showa era, and it attracts not only locals but also many visitors from afar, with autograph boards signed by celebrities lining the walls.

Located in Gobangai and directly connected to the west exit of Yokohama Station, Chukaichi Ryuo is a popular Chinese diner known for being affordable, fast, and delicious.
Loved by locals for many years, it has the warm, casual atmosphere of a classic neighborhood Chinese restaurant.
Its appeal lies especially in its hearty portions and reasonable prices, and it stays lively with customers all day long.
The most popular item is “Ryuo Ramen,” which comes with three meatballs designed to resemble the crystal ball held by a dragon.
It is a standout dish, with a secret soup that brings out its delicious flavor.
Another must-try is the “Ryuo Special Gyoza,” with over 100 servings ordered in a single day.
Slightly larger in appearance, they are wonderfully satisfying, with chewy wrappers and a bold flavor that match perfectly.
Of course, the “Sanma-men,” filled with the umami of vegetables, is also recommended.

Kiyoken Chinese Restaurant Yokohama Porta Branch is a casual Chinese restaurant run by Kiyoken, one of Yokohama’s best-known names in food.
Located in the Porta underground shopping mall at the east exit of Yokohama Station, it offers Kiyoken’s signature flavors with a nostalgic touch.
In addition to its convenient location, the clean interior makes it easy for families, women, and older guests to drop in.
One of its highlights is being able to enjoy the freshly made “Classic Shumai,” a specialty known for the rich flavor of pork and dried scallops.
A popular menu item is the “Shumai Set Meal,” which includes shumai and a main dish such as sweet and sour pork or shrimp in chili sauce, plus rice, soup, zha cai, and a spring roll.
Other menu options include a wide variety of Chinese dishes such as Yokohama’s famous “Sanma-men” and dessert “Annin Tofu.”

This American-style Western restaurant is located in Noge, an area that flourished as a black market in postwar Yokohama.
The style of serving dishes on old-fashioned stainless steel plates has remained unchanged since the restaurant first opened. It truly is one of Yokohama’s long-established Western restaurants.
The signature dish here is “Napolitan,” which is said to have originated in Yokohama.
While many versions are made with fresh tomato sauce, Center Grill has used ketchup since the time it first opened.

Located inside Zou-no-hana Terrace in Naka Ward, Yokohama, Zounohana Cafe is a takeout-style cafe that also serves as an art space.
Tables are set up in front of the shop, and one of its attractions is the view of the harbor through the glass.
It also has another side as an artist cafe that proposes the expansion of art through food, offering a unique experience.
Popular menu items include the “Zou-no-hana Soft Cream” and “Perry-kun Soft Cream,” which use waffles and chocolate chips to create an elephant face.
Made with rich Hokkaido milk fat, they have a creamy flavor and a fun look that is perfect for social media photos.
Original food items made with ingredients from Yokohama, such as “Yokohama Napolitan (limited quantities on weekdays)” and “Zou-no-hana Beer (Yokohama craft beer),” are also well received.

Yokohama Napolitan PUNCH is a specialty restaurant for Napolitan located at Honmoku Pier.
It features counter seating arranged around the cooking space, so you can enjoy the lively atmosphere of the cooking process.
The main Napolitan menu item is labeled by size as a “Punch (1 serving / 225g),” with names changing by portion, and you can choose up to the largest size, “Megaton Punch (5 servings / 1,125g).”
Served piping hot with the aroma of ketchup, the Punch is a perfect Napolitan, with thick chewy noodles coated well in sauce and a flavor you will not tire of until the last bite.
Another attraction is the wide variety of toppings, including raw egg, thick-cut bacon, cheese, chorizo, and hamburger steak.
You can customize it to your liking and also adjust the spice level from 1 to 3.

This long-established Chinese restaurant was founded in 1926 and boasts a history of nearly 90 years.
Based on Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine, it serves the restaurant’s traditional Chinese dishes infused with elements from regions across China, including Shanghai and Beijing.
There are many course options to choose from depending on the content and your budget, including the “Seasonal Vegetable Course,” which features seasonal ingredients such as spring bamboo shoots, autumn mushrooms, and winter oysters prepared with Chinese techniques, as well as courses centered on braised whole shark fin and Peking duck.
The charcoal-grilled char siu, made by marinating carefully selected domestic pork overnight in a special sauce, is one of the restaurant’s proud signature items and is also recommended as a souvenir.

Founded in 1887, Dohatsu Honten is a long-established Cantonese restaurant with more than 130 years of history.
At the storefront, large amounts of pork and roast duck for takeout hang on display, and their savory aroma whets your appetite before you even step inside.
The restaurant is committed to the traditions of old Chinatown and authentic Chinese flavors, serving carefully selected ingredients led by pork with secret sauces and cooking methods.
Among its popular dishes, “Char siu” is especially well loved, and its Cantonese-style roasts in particular are highly regarded.
The char siu is marinated in a special sauce and then roasted in an oven, creating a deep, rich flavor with restrained sweetness.
It is richly matured without any unpleasant heaviness, and the smoky aroma brings out the meat’s umami to the fullest.

Founded in 1924, Kinryo is a long-established Cantonese restaurant with Approx. 100 years of history.
Located on Kanteibyo-dori, it specializes in Cantonese-style roasts mainly for takeout.
One of its attractions is being able to enjoy authentic dishes slowly roasted in its in-house oven based on traditional methods. Its proud signature menu items are “Char siu” and “Roast Duck.”
Both are excellent dishes in which excess moisture has been removed from the meat, concentrating its sweetness and umami.
The “Char siu,” made with pork shoulder loin, is easy to eat, and when you bite into it, the fat spreads in your mouth and blends perfectly with the sweet-savory sauce.
The “Roast Duck,” seasoned and then roasted, has crispy skin and a juicy interior, with flavor soaked all the way into the bones for a satisfying bite.
As sales end once it is sold out, it is recommended to visit earlier in the day.