Yokohama Station, located approximately 30 minutes by train from the heart of Tokyo, serves as a crucial transportation hub, offering great convenience. Yokohama, with its rich historical background, boasts proximity to historical areas such as Chinatown and Yamashita Park. Chinatown, a popular tourist destination, presents a vibrant array of Chinese cuisine and traditional architecture.
Being a port city, Yokohama provides a picturesque seascape in the Yokohama Bay Area. Waterfront activities are abundant, featuring attractions like Ferris wheels, the Landmark Tower, and the grand Ferris wheel “Cosmo Clock 21.”
The city also holds diverse cultural attractions, with numerous art museums and museums, including the Yokohama Museum of Art and the Red Brick Warehouse, making it an appealing area for those interested in art and history.
In this article, we will introduce the top 10 recommended ramen shops in the vicinity of Yokohama Station. While Yokohama is renowned for its “Iekei” ramen, there are also numerous top-notch establishments in other genres, and we will introduce them as well.
The details about “Iekei” ramen are explained more thoroughly in the following article.
Iekei Ramen, Savoring Authenticity
目次
10. Ishin Shoten 横浜中華そば 維新商店 みなとみらい店
Located a short walk from Yokohama Station is “Yokohama Chuka Soba Ishin Shoten.” This ramen spot features a robust flavor with a pronounced richness of lard in its hearty soy sauce broth. The slightly fragrant ginger adds a refreshing touch to the overall experience. Additionally, the pepper provided on the table complements the ramen exceptionally well.
The noodles are handmade and twisted by hand, using a thick variety. They boast a chewy and resilient texture, adding a distinctive feature to the dish.
Ishin Shoten Details
9. Gorumen ゴル麺
A ramen shop located around the midpoint between Yokohama Station and Heinuma Bridge Station. They offer a diverse menu including house-style ramen, tantanmen, and tsukemen. Open until 2 am, it’s a convenient spot when the craving for ramen strikes late at night.
Among the many ramen choices, a highly recommended option is the “Kiwami Tori” (Ultimate Chicken), which has been featured in the media. It features a rich chicken broth with a delightful aroma. Served with vegetables, it not only tastes great but also looks appealing!
Gorumen Details
8. Ippudo – Yokohama Porta 一風堂 横浜ポルタ店
The internationally expanding tonkotsu ramen chain, Ippudo, has established its presence in Yokohama Porta, directly connected to Yokohama Station, as Ippudo Yokohama Porta. Boasting a prime location directly linked to Yokohama Station, and considering that in some cases, even within station premises, considerable walking may be required, the Ippudo Yokohama Porta store is conveniently not too far in terms of distance.
As for the ramen at Ippudo Yokohama Porta, it almost feels unnecessary to explain, but its standout feature is the mild tonkotsu (pork bone) broth that seems universally appealing to people of all ages and genders. Due to the tonkotsu ramen style, the noodle portion is on the smaller side, so if you find yourself wanting more, consider ordering an extra helping of noodles or try adding a side menu item. Personally, I am fond of the gyoza at Ippudo Yokohama Porta. While the lunchtime peak hours might see a bit of crowding at Ippudo Yokohama Porta, the ample seating and efficient turnover should prevent any prolonged waits.
Ippudo – Yokohama Porta Details
7. Afuri Yokohama Joinus AFURI 横浜ジョイナス
A popular ramen group with numerous establishments in trendy areas like Ebisu, Harajuku, and Roppongi, has expanded its presence to Yokohama Station with AFURI Yokohama Joinus, located directly within Yokohama Joinus.
AFURI Yokohama Joinus distinguishes itself with a soup made from the natural water of Mount Afuri, a famous peak in Kanagawa Prefecture, as reflected in its name. The broth is known for its rich flavors derived from chicken and seafood. You have the option to choose the amount of chicken oil, and there are two basic flavors to select from: the standard light and a slightly richer taste. Because the ramen is exceptionally light, it can be enjoyed effortlessly as a refreshing conclusion to a drinking session near Yokohama Station. For those who have had drinks around Yokohama Station, consider making a stop on your way home. On the contrary, to be honest, having it for lunch may leave you feeling less satisfied and slightly wanting, at least for someone with a hearty appetite like myself.
Afuri Yokohama Joinus Details
6. Menba Hamatora 麺場 浜虎
“Menba Hamatora” is one of the highly acclaimed ramen shops around Yokohama Station, conveniently located not far from the west exit. In addition to the Hamatora branch near Yokohama Station, the Hamatora Group has affiliated shops in places like Hiyoshi and Higashi-Totsuka within Yokohama city. The Hamatora Group has firmly established itself as a ramen group ingrained in the local community of Yokohama.
While the menu boasts a wide variety of choices, a personal recommendation at Menba Hamatora is the Chicken White Broth Ramen featured in the photo. Though it may not have an exceptionally strong and distinctive character, its taste is one that you don’t tire of and occasionally find yourself craving. The noodles are in-house made, and the generous serving of ramen comes at no extra cost, a welcomed offer for ramen enthusiasts. Despite its prime location near Yokohama Station, Menba Hamatora’s spacious interior with ample seating often sees queues during lunchtime on weekends, attesting to its remarkable popularity. Furthermore, Menba Hamatora serves morning ramen, making it a place worth visiting for those staying in the vicinity of Yokohama Station during the early hours.
Menba Hamatora Details
5. Ballon Nudle バロンヌードル
Ballon Noodle offers a unique seafood-based ramen labeled as “Himono Dashi Men,” featuring a distinctive fishy aroma different from bonito flakes or dried sardines. Their signature menu item is the Miso Ramen, utilizing the essence of dried fish to create an easily enjoyable, slightly sweet flavor. The ramen is served in a uniquely square-shaped bowl, adding to its individuality. While the meat toppings are quite satisfying, they tend to be on the colder side, so it might be appreciated if they can be served warm. In the evenings, Ballon Noodle also provides alcoholic beverages, allowing patrons to enjoy a casual drink and some snacks alongside their concluding ramen dish.
Ballon Nudle Details
4. Yokohama Hechikan Asobiru shop 横濱丿貫アソビル店
Yokohama Hechikan ramen, much like its affiliated establishments, stands out with a strong emphasis on the use of dried sardines and fresh fish, highlighting the impact of these ingredients. They introduce various ramen options daily, including limited-time offerings based on their fresh ingredients. In an industry where standardization is becoming more common, ramen places like Yokohama Tenkan, which boldly carve their own path, personally earn high marks from me. The evening ambiance at Yokohama Tenkan undergoes a transformation from a ramen-focused eatery to an izakaya stocked with a rich selection of Japanese sake. After enjoying drinks and appetizers, patrons can continue their experience with the finale of ramen.
Yokohama Hechikan Details
3. Salt Ramen Honmarutei Yokohama 本丸亭 横浜店
One of the popular ramen shops specializing in salt ramen near Yokohama Station is Hommarutei Yokohama. The Hommarutei Group, which has expanded its presence to locations such as Motomachi-Chukagai Station and Yokohama Bayside within Yokohama city, and more recently to Shinbashi and Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture, is gaining momentum.
Hommarutei Yokohama’s salt ramen is characterized by a broth with a strong umami from seafood, featuring house-made flat, hand-kneaded, medium-thick wavy noodles. Additionally, the ramen is topped with chrysanthemum greens. The soup, light yet satisfying, pairs well with the noodles, and it’s recommended to let the chrysanthemum greens soak in the soup for a while before enjoying them. The chashu (sliced roast pork) is a personal favorite at Hommarutei Yokohama, with its fatty pork belly complementing the refreshing soup. Side dishes like the mini rice bowl and dumplings are also popular at Hommarutei Yokohama, so for those who feel that ramen alone might not be enough, trying these options is highly recommended.
Salt Ramen Honmarutei Yokohama Details
2. Ramen Mū らぁめん夢
A popular eatery, “Ramen Mū,” located about a 5-minute walk from Higashi-Kanagawa Station on the Keihin-Tohoku Line and approximately 15 minutes from Yokohama Station, is known for its unassuming exterior and long queues despite the absence of a prominent sign. The well-seasoned interior features a compact setting with a counter that accommodates seven seats. The soup base is soy sauce-infused, enhanced with the savory richness of chicken oil.
The noodles are a slender straight type, reminiscent of Hakata ramen. They boast a supple texture that pairs well with the flavorful broth. On the tabletop, there’s a syringe containing bonito extract, allowing for a flavor enhancement with the rich aroma of bonito, providing a dual enjoyment in a single bowl.
Moreover, the dipping noodles are a popular menu choice with various eating styles. You can enjoy the thin noodles dipped in thick kelp-infused water with added salt, or immerse them in a dipping broth flavored with chicken and bonito for a refreshing and enjoyable eating experience.
Ramen Mū Details
1. Yoshimuraya 家系総本山 吉村家
One of the most famous pioneers of the “Iekei” (家系) ramen style in Yokohama is “Iekei Sohonzan Yoshimuraya.” Established in 1974, it relocated to its current location in 1999. The owner, Mr. Yoshimura, aimed to create a fusion of Kyushu-style pork bone ramen and Tokyo-style soy sauce ramen. The result is a rich and flavorful broth made by simmering pork bones and chicken bones, with the addition of soy sauce dressing and a layer of chicken oil on the surface.
The soy sauce aroma combined with the richness of the pork bone creates a hearty flavor. The noodles are made from a medium-thick variety provided by Sakai Seimen, and they excellently intertwine with the broth, enhancing the overall experience.
Furthermore, you have the option to order a side dish called “Vegetable Field” separately. This adds variety to the taste, so be sure to give it a try and experience the different flavors it brings to the dish.
The details about “Iekei” ramen are explained more thoroughly in the following article.
Iekei Ramen, Savoring Authenticity
Yoshimuraya Details
Conclusion
Yokohama Station and its vicinity, being in a bustling downtown area, boast numerous department stores, bars, and restaurants. There is also a multitude of ramen shops beyond those mentioned here, so it’s worth trying something different and exploring other options.
