8 Food Places In Yokohama Chinatown You Have To Try

Fancy some Chinese food? Food places in Yokohama Chinatown are aplenty. No one would disagree if I said that this is the best place in all of Japan to satisfy Chinese food cravings! After all, Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan, if not Asia.

With so many gems and food places in Yokohama Chinatown, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially if it’s your first time here. There is definitely no shortage of restaurants and street food! To help you narrow it down, here is a list of must-try food places in Yokohama Chinatown!

Houtenkaku

Shoronpo, or soup dumplings, are a must-try when in Yokohama Chinatown. Houtenkaku serves three types of soup dumplings: pork, crab miso with pork, and shark’s fin. They also come in pan-fried or steamed versions!

There’s an art when it comes to eating shoronpo. Don’t pop the entire thing in your mouth, that will only lead to regrets and a scalded tongue! First, bite a hole at the top of the dumpling to allow some steam to escape. Once it has cooled off, you can go on to enjoy the shoronpo whole or by sipping the broth first!

Address: 147 Kanagawa, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023

Opening hours: 11am – 10pm

Rouishin

Don’t worry, no pandas were harmed in the process of making these panda steamed buns. One of the oldest establishments here in Yokohama Chinatown, Rouishin sells colourful panda steam buns in various flavours. You’ll find anything from the classic pork bun to chocolate-filled and matcha-filled buns.

Go next door if you fancy some panda-themed goods as souvenirs. You’ll find anything from plushies, stickers, houseware, clothes and many more!

Address: 145 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023

Opening hours: 10.30am – 8.45pm (9.45pm on weekends & public holidays)

Mabo Doufu ChenKenichi

You can probably guess what’s the staple dish of this restaurant! Mabo doufu is a popular Chinese dish with chunks of tofu and spicy seasoned ground meat served with rice. This restaurant is the brainchild of one of the most famous Chinese chefs in Japan, Chen Kenichi. 

If you’re not a fan of spice, they can definitely adjust the heat level for you. We’ve also heard very good things about their annindoufu (sweet almond jelly), so this is one spot where you can also take down a famous Chinese dessert!

Address: 2-2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012

Opening hours: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm

Shinkinkou

Lu rou fan is a Taiwanese rice bowl made with braised pork belly over rice, commonly found in Taiwan street markets. At Shinkinkou, you can satisfy your cravings for it here. If that’s not your jam, Shinkinkou offers something for every palate with over 100 dishes on the menu! 

The only downside is that this shop might be a little hard to locate since it’s off the main street. Look for a little alley on the right somewhere along Chinatown’s Hong Kong Street. Walk into that alley and you’ll see Shinkinkou on your left. Keep walking to the back of the restaurant and you’ll find the entrance. 

Address: 146 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023

Opening hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Tue – Fri), 11am – 10pm (Sat, Sun & public holidays)

Chukagai Daihanten

Eating a whole or even a half Peking Duck might not be realistic for some of us who are travelling on a budget. Chukagai Daihanten offers a glimpse of its famed dish on a budget. A slice of Peking duck is paired with Asian radish, topped with sweet sauce, and wrapped up in a Chinese-type tortilla. 

You don’t have to enter the restaurant to get it, there is a window to purchase the Peking duck wrap right outside.

Address: 202-8 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023

Opening hours: 11am – 11pm

Shatenki

Founded in 1951, Shatenki is the place to be for a comforting bowl of congee. Their soup stock is made with chicken, dried oysters and scallops. Rice from Niigata is cooked in this rich broth for over 4 hours to create their delicious rice porridge. 

You can order your porridge with ingredients such as abalone, scallops, crab, squid, shrimp, chicken, beef pork and more. This place is pretty popular, so there might be a line during the weekends!

Address: 165 Yamashita-cho, Naka-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023

Opening hours: 8.30am – 8.30pm

Douhatsu

A Hong Kong style egg tart with custardy egg filling and buttery, flaky dough is a must-try. It’s not overly sweet and makes for a wonderful dessert after you’ve eaten your fill. 

While the original egg tart is the most popular, there are also coconut and milk tarts available on the menu. You can devour them right away or take them away and heat up later. Even when it’s cool, the puff pastry still tastes light and airy and not greasy at all.

Address: 148 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023

Opening hours: 11am – 9.30pm

Chai Tea Cafe

How can we forget bubble tea? Wind down from all that eating and walking about at Chai Tea Cafe. There are hammock swings and couches with colorful cushions for maximum comfort.

The most popular drink here is the Japanese-style sweet kinako (roasted soybean flour) and whipped cream topped bubble tea, but there are lots on the menu to choose from. You can also request for your drink to be made with soy milk!

Address: 80 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023

Opening hours: 11.30am – 8pm (Sun – Fri), 11.30am – 9pm (Saturdays & eve of public holidays)