The cuisine in Yokohama is amazing, and you definitely want to take the time to sample all the local flavors. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Yokohama is around $66 (¥9824) per person, with previous travelers spending from $29 to $126. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Yokohama are as follows:
- Breakfast: $7 to $20
- Lunch: $10 to $26
- Dinner: $20 to $46
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $10
As a metropolitan city, Yokohama has a range of food from Western favorites to plenty of traditional Japanese fare as well. Regular, sit-down meals are available everywhere, but for a cultural experience, try some of the typical Japanese "fast food." Sushi, ramen noodles, and katsu (fried cutlet, usually pork or chicken) shops have some of the best selections. As a coastal city, the fish and seafood is also the freshest around. Other culinary specialties of Yokohama include a Chinese-style steamed meat bun called nikuman, sweet fried rice cake balls coated with sesame seeds and filled with bean paste called goma dango, curry doughnuts, a beef onion stew dish with rice called hayashi rice, Chinese Shumai dumplings, a rice omelet called omu-rice, Kirin beer, and an almond soft serve ice cream called Annin soft cream. Yokohama's Chinatown is a great place to find the ice cream as well as some of the other Chinese-style dishes mentioned above.
Dining at nicer restaurants for lunch rather than dinner can help you save money. Many restaurants in touristy areas or business hubs provide lunch specials or a 'menu of the day.' Often, these options are simply smaller and more affordable versions of their dinner menus. If you play your cards right, you could enjoy a full multi-course gourmet meal without breaking the bank. Then, you can keep it light for dinner.
When dining out with children, prioritize restaurants with a kids' menu. This can help you save a fair amount of money, as those options are typically less expensive. Some eateries might not showcase kids' meals on their menus, so it's a good idea to check with the waiter.
Numerous hotels offer breakfast as part of the room rate, but some might charge extra for it. The cost and quality can differ from one hotel to another. Being aware of this beforehand can help you determine if you need to allocate additional funds. It could be worth it for a fantastic buffet at the hotel, or you might want to opt for a nearby bakery or cafe that's more budget-friendly.
Bring a water bottle instead of buying beverages everywhere. It helps the environment, too.
If you're thinking about taking a tour, it's wise to check in advance which meals are covered. You may need to cover some of your own food costs, which could increase your overall budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Yokohama, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- TAKOYAKI Cooking Class with All-you-can-drink in Tokyo, Roppongi for $58 details
- 3-Hour Shared Halal-Friendly Japanese Cooking Class in Tokyo for $85 details
- Half-day Cooking Class in Yokohama Local Shopping District for $132 details