【Ramen Travelogue】Yokohama - Noodle Shop Hamatora's "Rich Salt Ramen" satisfied my luxurious holiday mood

First selected as one of Kanagawa's Hundred Best Restaurants in 2024, "Noodle Shop Hamatora" at Yokohama Station West Exit. Its number one popular dish, "Rich Salt Ramen," combines a rich yet light bowl with pork bone soup and onion soy sauce. It was a luxurious ramen I wanted to enjoy casually on a holiday.

Five minutes from the west exit of Yokohama Station, to the Kanagawa Hundred Famous Shops "Menba Hamatora"

On a holiday just before noon. After a slightly late breakfast, I felt like spending some time somewhere relaxing. I thought, "Since it's my day off, let's try that place I've been curious about," which was "Menba Hamatora" located at the west exit of Yokohama Station. I heard it was first selected as one of the Kanagawa Hundred Famous Shops in 2024, and I had been wanting to visit it for a while. The approximately five-minute walk from Yokohama Station felt just right for the holiday mood.

At the ticket machine outside the shop, I chose "Koku Shio Soba" without hesitation. While I was drawn in by the allure of a robust soup, what intrigued me most was the unusual combination of "Chicken Paitan x Onion Soy Sauce."

The interior of the shop was lively yet calm

When I opened the door, upbeat rap-style music greeted me, and the wooden counter lined up inside created a calm atmosphere. It was 11 AM on a weekday. The time was still before the rush, so I quickly took a seat at the counter.

The self-service tea was jasmine tea. The subtly fragrant floral flavor relaxed my mood. As I listened to the sounds of cooking from the kitchen, my anticipation naturally increased.

The rich aroma of the soup alone stimulates the appetite

Soon, the thick salt soba arrived. The soup looked rich at first glance, and I felt its thick consistency the moment I inserted the spoon. As I took a sip, the umami of the chicken gradually spread, followed by the savory richness of onion soy sauce.

It's rich yet not heavy, and the crispness of the salt flavor ties everything together. I couldn't help but nod slightly and think, "This is it."

The chewy noodles, moist char siu, a bowl that makes you feel the level of completion

The noodles are medium-thick and curly. They have a resilience unique to high-water content, and with every bite, you feel a pleasant rebound. While holding onto the soup well, the excellent balance without being too assertive was impressive.

The moment I slurped, the umami of the soup and the aroma of wheat gently rose, and my hand holding the chopsticks couldn't stop.

The chicken chashu topping, while thick, is surprisingly tender and spreads like it melts in your mouth. It has a moistness as if carefully finished at a low temperature, and with each bite, you can feel the harmony of the chicken's umami and saltiness.

Furthermore, the crunchy texture of the diced onions refreshingly resets the rich broth. The alternating visits of creaminess and freshness create a pleasant balance, and the more I ate, the more I felt the completeness of the bowl.

Recommended for a luxurious detour on a holiday.

By the time I finished the noodles, the "herb mix" placed on the counter caught my eye. When I tried adding just a little to a spoonful of soup, a fresh and light fragrance spread.

The rich chicken white soup combined with the refreshing sensation of the herbs made it feel like every sip changed its character. Even after putting down the spoon, a gentle saltiness and aroma lingered in my mouth, leaving me with a warm and satisfied feeling that reached my core.

As I left the restaurant, the autumn wind felt a bit chilly. "Maybe I'll come back next time for morning ramen," such thoughts naturally came to mind. At Hamatora, they offer a special breakfast menu from 8:00 to 10:30. Waking up early on a holiday morning to savor this soup. Such a start to the day surely wouldn’t be bad at all.

Noodle Shop Hamatora
Address: 1F, Tsuruyacho Daini Building, 2-12-1 Tsuruyacho, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Interview & Text by SYURI

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