As one of the first port cities in Japan that embraced influences of foreign countries, you can expect to encounter a wide variety of food from various cultures in Yokohama. Yokohama dishes are distinct in Japan since they are often created by mixing traditional Japanese food and foreign flavors together. From the famous ChinaTown district to the vibrant and modern multicultural city area, Yokohama is like a treasure trove when it comes to food.
Here are top Must-Try foods in Yokohama, as recommended by the locals.
Spaghetti Napolitan
Yokohama is the city where Spaghetti Napolitan was first created by the chef of the famous hotel in the city. “Napolitan” is a savory spaghetti dish made with tomato-ketchup sauce and ingredients such as sausages, mushrooms, onion, and green pepper. It’s a popular pasta dish native to Japan, and often enjoyed by locals ranging from children to adults. It is often referred to as having ‘nostalgic’ flavor by Japanese, as it has been a popular dish since it was first introduced in the 1950's.
Doria
Doria is another popular dish first created in Yokohama. This dish is very similar to gratin— it is made with buttery rice with seafood covered with cream sauce, which is then baked in the oven with cheese for a thick and melty texture. Along with Spaghetti Napolitan (mentioned above), this is one of the signature “yoshoku” dishes, or Japanese-style Western foods. You will find many variants of Doria in Japan, but while in the port city Yokohama, be sure to try the fresh and aromatic seafood Doria.
Yokohama Beer
Yokohama is also the birthplace of beer in Japan. Yokohama beers are often described as having bold hoppy flavors. When you are in Yokohama, be sure to visit breweries such as the popular Kirin Beer brewery, which was originally founded in 1885. Japan’s largest beer festival, The Great Japan Beer Festival Yokohama, is held annually in September, which also attracts beer aficionados from all over Japan.
Sanmamen
Sanmamen, or Yokohama-style ramen, is another dish originating in Yokohama. This was originally made in Yokohama’s Chinatown, and is characterized by light soy-sauce based soup and thin noodles, and abundant servings of stir fried vegetables such as cabbage and bean sprout. The combination of these ingredients creates a comforting nostalgic flavor that is well loved by the locals.
Chinatown Street Food
You will find Japan’s largest Chinatown , or Chuka-gai, in Yokohama. This district is celebrating more than 160 years in Yokohama, and now harbors about 250 restaurants ranging from Sichuan to Cantonese, Shanghai, and more. Even if you are not looking for a seated dining experience, walking down the Chuka-gai means encountering various appetizing street food to satisfy your foodie needs.
Pan-fried soup dumplings (yaki shoronpo), steamed Chinese buns (chukaman), Taiwanese black pepper buns (kosho mochi), and fried sesame balls (age goma dango) are just few of the savory street dishes to try in Yokohama’s Chuka-gai.
Pan-fried soup dumplings is one of the most recommended street foods to try in Yokohama's Chinatown
Since Yokohama is the prefectural capital and the most populated city of Kanagawa Prefecture, there are many more to experience than its unique and savory foods. Are you curious about what else to find in Yokohama? Check out our Yokohama Tours!
Yokohama Tours
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You can access Yokohama easily from Tokyo Station with about a 30 minute JR train ride, and it would be a great day trip option to add in your vacation in Tokyo. For the arrangement of your travel to Yokohama, contact us for the most updated information! You can reach out to us from our contact form HERE