【Ramen Journey】 Visiting Yokohama's Nakayama-dai Station to eat "Special Soy Sauce Ramen" at Shina Soba-ya Fujika.

I got off at Nakamachidai Station, which I had never been to, aiming for the Chinese Soba Noodles shop Fujika. I was able to spend a pleasant day in a calm neighborhood with a lovely ramen shop.

I stepped off for the first time at Nakamoto-dai Station in Yokohama City to eat ramen

I got off at Nakamoto-dai Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line because I wanted to try "China Soba Restaurant Fujihana." It was a shop known as one of the top 100 restaurants even before their move, and after relocating in 2025, it won a silver award at the Ramen Walker Grand Prix Kanagawa 2025, making it a shop that caught my interest among the current Kanagawa ramen scene.

To the popular top 100 restaurant "China Soba Restaurant Fujihana"

On a weekday just after 11 AM, as I approached the restaurant, already 5 of the 7 counter seats were occupied. Despite being such a popular place, the atmosphere inside was quieter than I had imagined. Hawaiian-like music was playing, and the male and female staff were calmly managing the restaurant. It didn’t feel hectic, and the air was soft. I felt it was somewhat different from the typical ramen shop where you eat in a rush.

At this restaurant I was visiting for the first time, I had high expectations for a "flawless bowl typical of a top 100 restaurant." It had a high reputation even before the move, and since the awards have continued after relocating, I had imagined a high level of flavor completion.

However, the first thing I felt upon entering the restaurant was a sense of reassurance that "I can eat here quietly." The counter arrangement surrounding the kitchen allows you to see the cooking process, but there’s no showy performance aspect, giving a clean and organized impression. This further raised my expectations for the bowl.

I ordered the "Special Soy Sauce Ramen" at a polite restaurant

What I ordered was the Special Soy Sauce Ramen (1350 yen). The ticket vending machine only accepted cash, and while I was buying my meal ticket, they quietly placed a cup of water in front of me. Despite being a popular restaurant, the service was attentive, and there was a sense that they were properly looking at the person right in front of them.

The exterior and interior are leaning towards a Japanese modern style, and there is a sense of cleanliness throughout. It felt more like entering a well-arranged Japanese dining restaurant than a ramen shop.

It took about 5 minutes for my order to be ready. I didn’t feel like I was waiting at all; rather, the time spent feeling the atmosphere of the restaurant was just right.

After taking a sip of the soup, I almost let out a voice

What I first noticed in front of the bowl was its visual beauty. It was garnished with mitsuba (Japanese wild chervil), and from its appearance, it already felt well arranged. The ingredients are packed in nicely without feeling overloaded, and everything is beautifully organized. The toppings consist of char siu, wontons, flavored eggs, and menma, and the fact that they aren't overly loaded is impressive.

One sip of the soup. I almost exclaimed "delicious" at that moment. It might be the first time I've been so surprised by the first sip of soy sauce ramen.

The flavor of chicken and stock is clearly felt, and the seafood umami gently spreads. It's light yet rich in flavor, with depth. The soy sauce is strong but not sharp, and it has a calming quality like that of Japanese dashi. The layer of oil on the surface adds smoothness and aroma, making it gentle without feeling insufficient. The balance between the dashi and soy sauce is superb.

Having visited with an empty stomach, it seeps into my stomach easily. Without being flashy, the first impression is strong and deeply memorable.

The noodles and toppings were all impeccable

The noodles were thin and straight, yet with a slightly flat shape, classified as a medium-thin type. They slide in smoothly, and when bitten, they have a firm texture and clean wheat flavor. The interaction with the soup was excellent, almost as if the textures when slurping were calculated.

The char siu varied in cuts, both having a savory aroma and tenderness. One had a flavor reminiscent of prosciutto, while the other brought out the umami of the fat; although each had a different direction, they beautifully connected within the bowl.

The wontons were filled with a solid meat filling, and a slightly firm texture provided an accent. The ginger aroma was also just right, giving it a presence worthy of a main dish.

The seasoned egg is soft, and the sweetness of the yolk shines through. The bamboo shoots blend in without any awkwardness, leaving a lasting impression of the overall balance. The content is worthy of the name "supreme soy sauce ramen," as it feels like not just one element is good, but the overall quality is high. Being selected as one of the top hundred stores and receiving high praise even after relocating, it becomes clear why once you taste it.

What kind of place is Nakamachidai, where Fujika is located?

After finishing the ramen, it felt a bit wasteful to go straight home. Nakamachidai Station opened in 1993 and, including the station building and the square in front, it has a calm atmosphere that doesn't feel artificially arranged.

Nakamachidai is located on the northern side of Tsuzuki Ward and was developed as part of the Kohoku New Town plan, so the spaciousness in front of the station and the width of the sidewalks, along with the greenery, are very lovely.

When you actually walk around Nakamachidai, the area in front of the station offers convenience, yet just a short walk leads you to parks and green pathways, making it easy to take a stroll after a meal. Parks like Seseragi Park and Chigasaki Park allow easy access to water and greenery, and it seems a network of promenades and greenways has been established.

The ability to casually combine city strolling and ramen might be a feature of this town.

A town where daily life can be imagined.

Imagining living here, I looked at the rental market as of 2026. One-room apartments start around 80,000 yen, and even 1K units are mostly in the 80,000 yen range, which might be quite a realistic price compared to central Tokyo. It varies depending on size and age of the building, but considering the proximity to the station and living environment, I felt that it could be an enjoyable area to actually live in.

The access by train is about 1 hour to Otemachi. It is also easy to reach the Shin-Yokohama area, and including the convenience of using the Shinkansen, it is a fairly balanced place for a city closer to Yokohama. With its calm town landscape and ease of movement, it might be the perfect spot for those seeking a balance of both.

A spontaneous trip to Nakayama-dai Station to explore Fujika and the local area

I came to Shina Soba-ya Fujika wanting to try their special soy sauce ramen. Not only was the ramen itself excellent, but it also matched the atmosphere of Nakayama-dai, making it quite memorable, including the lingering desire to take a walk afterward. Why not try getting off at Nakayama-dai Station yourself?

Shina Soba-ya Fujika
Location: 1-31-12 Nakayama-dai, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Parkside Nakayama-dai 101

Interview & text: SYURI