Explore & PlanYokohama Dining: A Culinary Guide to Japan’s First Port
Yokohama’s food scene is inextricably linked to its identity as Japan's first major port to open to the West. When the harbor opened in 1859, it didn't just bring in silk traders; it brought in foreign ingredients, cooking techniques, and a distinct cosmopolitan energy. The result is a culinary landscape that feels different from Tokyo or Osaka. It is the birthplace of yoshoku (Western-influenced Japanese cuisine), home to the country's largest Chinatown, and the origin of several "soul food" dishes that locals defend fiercely.
Dining here is rarely about chasing trends. It is about atmosphere. The best restaurants in Yokohama are often housed in retro buildings, converted banks, or tea houses on the bluff, offering a sense of nostalgia that permeates the city. The following recommendations focus on places where the history of the port is served alongside the food.
The Icons of Chinatown (Chuka Gai)
Yokohama Chinatown is a labyrinth of over 600 shops, but a few establishments stand out for their history and consistent quality, avoiding the tourist traps that line the main street.
Manchinro Honten Established in 1892, Manchinro is one of the pillars of the district. The experience here is grand; the interior features high ceilings, carved wood, and live piano music, providing a sophisticated backdrop for Cantonese cuisine. Reviews consistently praise the service and the atmosphere, which feels upscale without being stifling. While the menu is extensive, the roast suckling pig and their signature dim sum courses are the most cited highlights. It is a reliable choice for a formal dinner where the setting is as important as the meal.
Douhatsu Honkan If Manchinro is about elegance, Douhatsu is about robust flavors. This restaurant is famous for its Cantonese-style barbecue, particularly the char siu (roast pork) and crispy skin roast pork. The main hall is large and bustling, capturing the energetic spirit of Chinatown. Diners often note that while it can get crowded, the turnover is efficient. The salty-sweet glaze of their roast pork is widely considered the benchmark for the neighborhood.
Saikoh Shinkan Located just off the main drag, Saikoh offers a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than the massive banquet halls. It is deeply respected by locals for its dim sum and seafood dishes. The interior is polished, evoking 1930s Shanghai with its decor. Reviews frequently mention the shrimp wafers and the soup dumplings. It strikes a balance between a casual lunch spot and a nice dinner venue, offering high-value Cantonese cooking in a refined setting.
The "Western Wave" (Yoshoku & Heritage)
Yokohama was where Japan first learned to eat meat and pasta. These restaurants preserve that initial fusion of cultures.
Center Grill Hidden in the backstreets of the Noge district, this is a pilgrimage site for fans of yoshoku. Founded in 1946, it claims to be the birthplace of "Napolitan" spaghetti (ketchup-based pasta) using fresh tomatoes rather than military rations. The food is served on stainless steel plates, and the interior looks largely unchanged since the Showa era. It is unpretentious and hearty. The omurice (omelet rice) and Napolitan are the standard orders here, offering a nostalgic taste of post-war Japan.
Katsuretsu-an Bashamichi Main Store Located in the historic Bashamichi area, this restaurant elevates the humble pork cutlet (tonkatsu). The building itself is beautiful, featuring traditional folk-art prints and dark wood beams. The defining feature here is the square-shaped cutlets and the house-made sauce, which has been replenished and aged for decades. Reviewers often point out that the breading is lighter than typical tonkatsu, and the unlimited cabbage and rice make it excellent value. It feels like stepping into a private home from the 1920s.
Hof Brau Not to be confused with the Munich brewery chain, this is a distinct Yokohama institution near the port. It exudes a sailor-bar atmosphere with a vintage European aesthetic. The menu is a mix of German and local port town favorites. The famous dish here is the "Spa Pizza"—a cast-iron skillet filled with spaghetti, meat sauce, and covered in melted cheese. It is heavy, comfort food that reflects the city's history of feeding hungry dockworkers and sailors.
Scandia Located across from the Osanbashi Pier, Scandia has been serving Scandinavian cuisine since 1963. The second-floor dining room is atmospheric, with heavy wooden tables, relief carvings, and views of the street below. It is well-known for its smörgåsbord plates and marinated herring. It offers a distinctly "foreign" atmosphere that feels frozen in time, popular among older Yokohama locals for special occasions.
Alte Liebe Yokohama For a romantic or upscale setting, Alte Liebe is unmatched. Housed on the ground floor of the historic vibe historic Yokohama 2nd Joint Government Office building, the interior features Vienna Secession style architecture with high ceilings and chandeliers. They serve classic French-European cuisine, often accompanied by live music. It captures the "Golden Age" of Yokohama luxury.
Tea & Views on The Bluff (Yamate)
The Yamate area, formerly the foreign settlement, sits on a hill overlooking the harbor. The dining here is centered on cafes and preserved Western residences.
Enokitei Set in a preserved English-style home built in 1927, Enokitei is a tea house famous for its rose garden and antique furniture. The parlor is intimate, and the terrace offers a quiet escape from the city. They are famous for their "Cherry Sand" cookies and cream teas. It is less of a restaurant for a full meal and more of a venue to experience the lifestyle of the foreign merchants who once lived on the bluff.
Yamate Jubankan Overlooking the Foreign General Cemetery, this restaurant has a somewhat macabre but beautiful view. The architecture is a reproduction of a Meiji-era foreign residence. The second floor serves French cuisine, while the first floor is a cafe. The outdoor garden is particularly pleasant in spring and autumn. Reviews highlight the peacefulness of the location and the high quality of their pudding and cakes.
Yokohama Soul Food & Specialties
These restaurants serve dishes that are specifically identified with Yokohama's local culture.
Araiya Bankokubashi Yokohama is the birthplace of Gyunabe (beef hot pot), the predecessor to sukiyaki. Araiya has been serving this dish since 1895. The Bankokubashi location offers a more accessible entry point than their main tatami-room flagship while maintaining high quality. The sauce is rich and savory, and the Wagyu beef is exceptional. It is a cultural experience as much as a meal, allowing diners to taste the dish that popularized beef in Japan.
Kiyoken Honten Kiyoken's shumai (pork dumplings) are synonymous with Yokohama; they are the standard souvenir for domestic travelers. The Honten (main shop) near Yokohama station offers several dining options, from a basement beer hall to a high-end Cantonese restaurant. The food is consistent, and trying their signature cold-packed shumai (designed to taste good even when not hot) is a rite of passage for visitors.
Hungry Tiger Yokohama Hammerhead Hungry Tiger is a local charcoal-grilled hamburger steak chain that has a cult following in Kanagawa prefecture. This specific location at the Hammerhead complex is recommended for its views of the bay. The staff cut the rugby-ball-shaped burger in half at your table on a sizzling iron plate. It is smoky, greasy, and incredibly popular with locals. Expect a wait, but the combination of harbor views and local comfort food is hard to beat.
The Kafu Located near the port, this is a classic "Jazz Kissa" (jazz cafe) and bar. Yokohama has a deep jazz history due to the American military presence post-WWII. The Kafu offers a dimly lit, moody atmosphere with excellent acoustics. While it is a bar, their curry is famous—spicy, rich, and simmered for hours. It is the perfect spot for a solo traveler looking to soak in the city's noir atmosphere.
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum While the name says "museum," this is essentially a dining theme park. The interior is a meticulously detailed recreation of a Tokyo streetscape at sunset in 1958. It features rotating branches of famous ramen shops from across Japan. The atmosphere is immersive, and the ability to buy "mini" bowls allows you to sample multiple regional styles in one visit. It is located a bit further out at Shin-Yokohama station, but essential for noodle enthusiasts.