【Chinese Street Food】This is the real deal! I went to Ryuuumi Hanten in Nakachou-dai, Yokohama to eat chilled Chinese noodles

I visited the popular Chinese street food spot, "Ryuuumi Hanten," and enjoyed delicious chilled Chinese noodles perfect for early summer. With nine kinds of toppings and a tangy soy sauce dressing, even a dab of mustard for a flavor change. Let's go to Nakachou-dai, where you can also enjoy a walk along the greenway!

After walking along the pleasant green path, I felt like going to the local Chinese restaurant in Nakamachidai

On a sunny morning between rainy days, I decided to take a walk along the green path at Chigasaki Park. The area around Nakamachidai Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line is surprisingly lush with greenery, more than you would expect so close to the station. The spacious streets created by area redevelopment allow for well-placed street trees and parks, making it a very pleasant place to walk.

The green path leading to Chigasaki Park features trees that provide just the right amount of shade, allowing one to feel cool even in early summer. As I listened to the sound of the babbling stream and slowly moved forward while gazing at the trees, the tension in my shoulders began to ease.

As I walked in the somewhat humid weather, I naturally started to feel hungry. Suddenly, a local Chinese restaurant that I've always relied on in this town came to mind. Since I'm in Nakamachidai, I decided to head there.

I stepped into the always-busy famous restaurant, "Ryumi Hanten."

The local Chinese restaurant "Ryumi Hanten" is about a 3-minute walk from the station, and I was drawn to its appearance featuring a red wall and a golden-lettered sign. The atmosphere suggested "a somewhat authentic local Chinese restaurant," and it is known for attracting crowds regularly as a popular local spot.

It’s a bustling store, so I can’t help but feel a bit apprehensive. Still, it’s worth mustering the courage to open the door to this restaurant. This is actually my third visit on this day. The noodle dishes and stir-fries are all hits from this renowned restaurant, and I always left satisfied.

Gazing at the menu, a delightful time

Before entering, what caught my eye was the lineup of chalkboard menus in front of the store. The "Recommended Noodles" section includes Sichuan-style Dan Dan noodles, meat wonton Dan Dan noodles, crab omelet Dan Dan noodles, and hot and sour soup noodles. The "Set Meal Menu" features stir-fried pork and egg with wood ear mushrooms and ginger pork with domestic pork belly. Furthermore, there are plenty of options with the daily "Today's Lunch Set Menu."

Just by looking at the menu, I can find countless reasons for a return visit, thinking "I’ll order that next time." This time spent savoring the menu is also one of the joys of dining at a city Chinese restaurant. However, what about the intended chilled noodles?

There it was. A poster for chilled noodles. This is a menu item I’ve been curious about at this restaurant but had yet to try, the seasonal chilled noodles. With just the right appetite from a stroll in the greenway, I confidently opened the store's door today, aiming for that bowl.

Even right after opening, the place quickly filled up.

I visited at 11 AM on a weekday, aiming to arrive just after the opening. By noon, almost all the seats in the store are filled. The enduring popularity brought a smile to my face.

The first floor has 40 table seats. The second floor also has a banquet hall that can accommodate from 5 to 50 people, suggesting it could host small gatherings or parties. Looking around the store, I noticed people who seemed to be businessmen as well. As expected from a famous restaurant near the local station, it seems that people working in the neighborhood frequently stop by during lunch hours.

The customer base is quite diverse, with a wide range of people spending their lunch time here—from businessmen visiting alone to senior citizens enjoying their meals leisurely, and lively families. There’s a warm atmosphere unique to a beloved local establishment, making it feel completely comfortable to visit alone without any reservations.

The chilled Chinese noodles only appear on posters posted outside and inside the restaurant. "Exquisitely chilled top-quality noodles" and "The exquisite harmony of top-quality ingredients and chilled noodles"—these enticing phrases firmly establish their presence both at the entrance and on the walls of the restaurant adorned with panda illustrations.

The posters displayed, signaling the arrival of the season, support the initial intentions.

A picture-perfect, classic chilled Chinese noodle

After a while, a plate arrived that was truly “a picture-perfect classic chilled Chinese noodle” (1100 yen, with soy sauce). Just by its appearance, it sparked excitement.

The ingredients included, among others, julienned egg, jellyfish, seaweed, imitation crab, ham, chicken char siu, cucumber, okra, and tomato—nine kinds in total. The vibrant presentation reminded me that a good chilled Chinese noodle is a dish to enjoy for its colors as well.

The ingredients arranged in a refreshing glass bowl seemed to cool the perspiring weather with just one look. With toppings in bright red, green, yellow, and white, the vivid colors made it difficult to decide where to start with my chopsticks.

The acidity is exquisite, definitely among the top class flavors of the season

The key to the flavor is the soy sauce dressing with a strong acidity. This balance is truly exquisite, allowing for a refreshing experience even when the humidity makes you lose your appetite. The crisp acidity seems to gently awaken the appetite, which tends to dull in the humidity.

This was my first time trying chilled Chinese noodles this season, and it is undoubtedly top class. Every time I slurp the noodles, the sauce clings well, and the chopsticks glide smoothly. The freshness of the toppings is also exceptional.

Among them, the jellyfish and okra might be unique to this restaurant. The crunchy texture of the jellyfish, the slimy okra, and the crisp cucumber change the texture with every bite, keeping it interesting until the end.

And I definitely want you to try the flavor change. There was mustard on the table, so I added a little bit halfway through. The sharp spiciness adds a punch, tightening the impression of the refreshing acidity, allowing you to enjoy it with a sense of freshness until the end. A delightful change that makes it twice as enjoyable in one dish.

Packed with ingredients and very satisfying. The dish I had been curious about exceeded my expectations significantly.

After taking a walk before and after, I treated myself to chilled Chinese noodles.

After leaving the store satisfied, I felt like wandering around a bit further from the station again. This area is lush with greenery, and just walking around is enjoyable, bringing my mind into a good state. I strolled slowly along the greenway, refreshed myself with chilled Chinese noodles from a popular shop, and continued to wander through the greenery. Though it was just that, it was more than enough to fully enjoy an early summer afternoon.

A bowl of chilled Chinese noodles and a modest detour in early summer. I felt that an ordinary day had become a little richer. If you have the chance to visit Nakachou-dai, be sure to try the chilled Chinese noodles at Ryuuumi Hanten.

Ryuuumi Hanten
Address: 1-2-1 Nakachou-dai, Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Interview and text by SYURI

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