【I Tried Visiting】A Western-style restaurant "Restaurant Burg" under the elevated rail, established 55 years ago, serving a ham cutlet set meal

Located under the elevated rail at the west exit of Tsurumi Station on the JR Tsurumi Line in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, "Restaurant Burg" has been serving Western cuisine for 55 years. I experienced the nostalgic atmosphere of the Showa era and tasted their famous "ham cutlet set meal," enjoying the flavors of this long-established eatery.

I decided to enter the long-established Western-style restaurant under the yellow tent that appears along the elevated railway.

After exiting the west gate of Tsurumi Station on the JR Tsurumi Line, if you walk along the tracks towards Yokohama for about two minutes, you will see a yellow tent. That is the Western-style restaurant "Restaurant Bark," which was established in 1969.

The tent has a color scheme that evokes the Showa era, recognizable even from a distance. Beneath it, there is a wooden sign that says "Open," and a sliding door adorned with handwritten green menus lined up.

In the showcase, there are food samples such as hamburgers and ginger pork, all of which possess an oddly appealing presence. Amidst the faint vibrations from the elevated tracks, the sounds of the street and trains overlap.

Honestly, I found it hard to enter at first. However, this feeling of needing a bit of courage might just be part of what makes a traditional renowned restaurant. Sensing that atmosphere, I quietly opened the sliding door.

The first experience at "Bark" was enveloped in the midday heat.

The moment I opened the sliding door, I was enveloped in the fragrant aroma of oil and sauce. Peeking inside, the restaurant, which has about 27 seats, was already almost full. Exactly at noon on a weekday, salarymen in suits were enjoying their lunch.

Just as a seat became available, I entered and it was full again. The walls were filled with photos and autographs of celebrities. It seemed like evidence that this place had been loved by many people. Feeling a little overwhelmed by the heat of the atmosphere, I took a seat that had just been vacated, filled with anticipation.

I ordered the signature "ham cutlet set meal."

I had already decided on what I wanted to order. As soon as I sat down, without hesitation, I said, “I’ll have the ham cutlet set, please.” After just 6 minutes of waiting, the first thing that arrived was a plate of rice, steaming white.

One minute later, the main dish, the ham cutlet, arrived alongside the miso soup. The moment it arrived, it was so impressive that I couldn't help but gasp. On the plate were four large pieces of domestic loin ham, each about 3 centimeters thick, cut in half.

The batter was thin, and the fine breadcrumbs were evenly fried, glistening with a golden shine.

When I took a bite, alongside a "crunch" sound, the savory flavor of the ham spread in my mouth. The first bite was so delicious that it made me smile involuntarily.

There was absolutely no greasiness; the sweetness of the meat lingered lightly, and the sauce had a perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness, not too thick and not too light.

The stir-fried bean sprouts served on the side are slightly spicy. They have a different presence compared to the crunchy texture of the cabbage. These two side dishes match well with the fried food, and with each bite, I feel the good balance.

There's no flashiness, but each item is made with care, and regardless of where you look, it's a serious dish. By the time I reached the third piece, I felt a sense of satisfaction that truly reflected the volume of the Showa era.

A place loved for over half a century, unchanged

After finishing my meal, I sat for a moment to observe the interior of the restaurant, and as usual, it was full, with the staff moving smoothly, making it pleasant to watch.

After settling the bill and opening the sliding door, the outside air felt remarkably cool. The sound of a train passing overhead echoed, and when I turned around, I saw three people in line in front of the restaurant. I thought to myself that the liveliness continues as I walked towards the station.

The Western-style restaurant "Restaurant Burke" under the elevated tracks, loved for over half a century. There's no flashiness, but in the heat and flow of people during lunchtime, the everyday flavors of this town were very much alive.

Restaurant Burke
Location: 1-17 Toyokacho, Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Interview and text by SYURI

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