【Nostalgic】 Just a 15-minute walk from Yokohama Station! Established in 1961, the Showa-era ramen and curry flow at "Ramen Kagetsu."

Visited the long-established "Ramen Kagetsu," founded in 1961, located in Hirano Bridge in Yokohama. I sampled the ramen and curry set in a restaurant that retains the atmosphere of the Showa era. It’s a place where I felt the reason it's loved by locals, wrapped in unchanging flavors and warm air.

About a 15-minute walk from Yokohama Station, in a quiet residential area, there is the long-established "Ramen Kagetsu"

About a 15-minute walk from the west exit of Yokohama Station. I made my way through the hustle and bustle of the Sotetsu Line and National Route 16 towards the residential area of Okano and Hiratsuna Bridge. My goal was the long-established "Ramen Kagetsu," founded in 1961. I had heard rumors that it still retains the atmosphere of the Showa era, and I had been curious about this place for a long time.

On this day, it was a weekday just after 11 AM. Although it was a little early for lunch, I heard that it was bustling with locals, so I decided to visit a bit earlier.

The Showa aura conveyed by the exterior

The moment I stood in front of the shop, I instinctively stopped in my tracks. This shop, standing alone along the road, has a nostalgic air about it.

With its pale blue-green tin exterior and soft pink noren (fabric curtain). Beside the entrance, there is a yellow standing sign with red letters that reads "Ramen, Gyoza Kagetsu." Everything about it tells the story of having been carefully maintained over the years.

The eaves still retain their old framework, and from beneath the fluttering noren, a mouthwatering aroma wafts through. In that moment, it evoked the warmth of the shop.

Small curtains hang in the windows, making it almost impossible to see inside from the outside. Without any flashiness, wrapped in a warm atmosphere that evokes nostalgia, I stood at the storefront for a while, gazing at the scene. Anticipating the kind of atmosphere that flows inside, my hand naturally reached for the sliding door.

Beyond the poorly fitting sliding door spreads the lunchtime scene of the Showa era.

As I forcefully slid the heavy door open and stepped inside, the air shifted instantly. There were three seats at the counter and two tables. The table seats were already occupied, so I took a seat at the counter. Almost immediately, two more customers entered. Before I knew it, the place was full.

The drifting aroma of soup and the sound of the television. I'm enveloped in a nostalgic atmosphere, as if time flows slowly.

The everyday prices that are unbelievable for the Showa era remain unchanged.

Looking at the wall inside the shop, a handwritten menu is lined up. Ramen for 350 yen, fried rice for 500 yen, gyoza for 300 yen. Even the most expensive noodle dish, the miso chashu ramen, is priced at 670 yen, making me do a double-take.

The ramen set allows you to choose from fried rice, curry rice, gyoza with rice, egg rice bowl, or natto bowl, all for 650 yen. Without hesitation, I ordered the "ramen and curry set."

In the kitchen, an elderly female owner is skillfully stirring a pot with assured movements. The organization is so good that it hardly seems like a one-person operation, and the sound of the pot being stirred creates a pleasant rhythm. That scene must surely have remained unchanged for years.

The ramen brought out with steam has a strikingly clear broth. The flavor from chicken bones and dried ingredients gently seeps through, and each bite expands with a soft umami. The aroma of soy sauce wafts pleasantly through the nose, and the taste calms the heart with each bite.

The noodles are thin and slightly curly, with just the right amount of firmness and angle, dancing comfortably in the mouth along with the broth.

Nostalgic curry rice that smells of wheat flour.

The other curry rice has a thick, wheat flour-based texture. It boasts a mild thickness and a saltiness that brings back the taste of traditional home cooking.

Every time I bring a spoon to my mouth, I remember the curry I ate at school when I was a child. It's a warm dish that brings comfort.

In the unchanging taste, I feel the warmth of the people.

For 650 yen with this content and volume, it's a miraculous price in today's world. It's understandable that many regular customers come seeking the "unchanging taste." Just a 15-minute walk from Yokohama Station makes me happy to encounter such Showa-era vibes.

In the midst of hectic daily life, the shop "Ramen Kagetsu" provided me with a moment to pause. Even as times change, it's a lunchtime experience in Yokohama that remains timeless.

Ramen Kagetsu
Location: 2-7-5 Okano, Nishi Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Coverage and text by SYURI

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