It’s a sad day, one of the best Yokahama Style Ramen shops in downtown Yokosuka has closed. But like I gave away a secret announcing its existence when this post was originally published a year ago, I’m giving away another secret. Zushiya has not one but two other location!
While there’s this general idea that most restaurants don’t make it past the first year (not true), in this case though, as best I can tell, the main building is being ripped down. There is always massive turnover on buildings in Japan, and whereas this article is specifically about housing, it applies to commercial properties that I’ve witnessed for my six
They are constantly getting rid of the older buildings. In which, Zushiya was residing in. So that begs the question? What happens when you lose your favorite place?
This post has been update as of August 2019.
Always look for a new location
One thing for certain, there are a lot of franchises or at least multi-location entities in Japan that as a foreigner, you might not be aware that is the case. People I know rave about a certain izakaya and I have to remind the masses, “guys, it’s a chain, you can find them elsewhere too!”.
And sometimes? They just move! Like what happened with one of my favorites just recently. I hadn’t gotten the memo that Pink Pony Café had moved on to bigger and brighter things. And I couldn’t be happier for them! But I digress.
In this case, Zushiya has always had a second location (at least since my arrival) in Kitakurihama, a quick 10 minute train ride away.
Have more than one favorite!
As I mention in my Ultimate Ramen Guide and Spicy Ramen in Tokyo posts, it is always acceptable to have more than one favorite. As such, here are some others I truly enjoy in Yokosuka that one day will get written up as well!
- 本牧家 横須賀店 Honmokuya Yokosuka Store
- ラーメン神豚 横須賀中央店 Ramen Kamibuta Yokosuka-chuo Store
- きたくり家 横須賀中央店 Kitakuriya Yokosuka-chuo Store
Notice those all say “Yokosuka Store”? Because there is more than one of them!
What is Yokohama Style Ramen?
When you see 横浜家系 (Yokohama ie-
Noodles are thick and straight and there are standard toppings:
- チャーシュー (cha-
shu -, roasted pork) - sheets of nori (and stores are very specific on the number of sheets I’ve noticed)
- boiled spinach
- some welsh onion
Some stores will come automatically with a soft boiled or “onsen” egg. Or if you are Zushiya, QUAIL eggs.
Ordering at a Ramen Shop
Two things with ordering ramen, first, you order at a vending machine and then hand the ticket to the employee.
Shops are slowly getting more and more English menus but as a general rule, go with the most expensive option and you can’t go wrong. The ramen will be at the top of the machine with add-on options and side menu items further down. I suggest もやし (
Second thing, how it’s made. This 100% is a Yokohama style ramen thing but you can also use these terms for any ramen. When in doubt, say “普通” (fu-
Japanese Lesson Time
There are three things you are worried about with ramen. How your noodles are cooked, how thick the broth is, and how much oil you want (more fat = more umami of the dish).
In the case of Zushiya, you have to know that instinctively as it’s the ranges, nothing about the topic (pretty typical in Japanese, context is everything). I’ve seen other places where it spells it out (albeit in Japanese) “Noodle, Soup, Oil”. If you just say “普通” (fu-
硬め – katame, aldente (just to throw another language in there)
柔らかめ – Yawarakame, soft
濃 い – koi, heavy
薄い – usui, light
多め – o-me, more (this is talking to the oil/clarified fat they add)
少め – shoume, a little
When asked how you would like your ramen, you just rattle off in order. “硬め , 薄い, 少め” is my go-to.
How do I find Zushiya?
Now that you have to go to the original, it’s a train ride but it is still just a quick walk from the train station. It’s like everywhere in Japan. “Hang a left at the pachinko parlor and it’s around the corner from the convenience store”. I kid, I kid. Straight shot out, here’s a map to the two locations. Kitakurihama is obviously slightly closer than Kurihama.
I challenge you to find somewhere better
