Restaurant in Yokohama, Japan

Suzukiya Honten

Name: Suzukiya Honten
Address: 2 Chome-3-1 Kamihoshikawa, Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-0042, Japan, Yokohama, JP
Telephone: +81 45-371-6180

150Pearl Points

Precision Counter Ramen

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About Suzukiya Honten

Suzukiya Honten holds a Tabelog 100 spot for Kanagawa ramen at under JPY 1,000 per bowl, serving iekei-style ramen at a 13-seat counter in Hodogaya Ward. Walk-ins work most nights until 9 PM, making it more accessible than lunch-only competitors. Customization (noodle firmness, oil level, broth richness) defines the ordering experience.

At under JPY 1,000 per bowl, Suzukiya Honten competes directly with Yokohama's other Tabelog 100 ramen shops but carries one advantage: a 13-seat counter open until 9 PM most nights, avoiding the lunch-rush crunch that defines Mendokoro Tatsunoki. The counter fills quickly after 7 PM, but walk-ins remain viable throughout service. For solo diners seeking a direct bowl without fuss, it's a more accessible option than Sakurai Chuka Soba Ten, which closes earlier on Tuesdays.

The Counter and the Bowl

Suzukiya Honten runs counter seating only, 13 stools facing the kitchen. The format leans casual: no reservations, no dress expectations, a six-space parking lot behind the shop. Cash-only payment keeps turnover brisk. The room's noise level stays moderate even at peak hours, making it workable for conversation over ramen, though solo diners make up much of the crowd. Families appear regularly (the shop is marked family-friendly), but the counter format means parties of four or more will sit separated unless timing aligns.

The shop's Tabelog 100 recognition for Kanagawa ramen has held steady since 2017, placing it among regional specialists rather than Tokyo-centric brands. The selection itself follows iekei ramen traditions, pork-bone broth with soy tare, thick noodles, toppings that can be adjusted to preference. At this price point, customization matters: noodle firmness, oil level, broth richness all respond to request. First-timers should order the standard bowl to establish baseline expectations before adjusting.

Logistics and Timing

The shop closes Wednesdays and every third Wednesday-Thursday pair, making weekday planning slightly more complex than competitors with fixed weekly schedules. Tuesday hours shorten to 5 PM, but most other days run 11 AM to 9 PM. Lunch service (11:30 AM to 1 PM) draws the heaviest crowds; arrive before 11:30 or after 2 PM to avoid standing waits of 20 minutes or more. Evening service from 6 PM onward offers the steadiest seating availability, though the 9 PM close means last orders happen around 8:30 PM.

Walking from Kami Hoshikawa Station takes roughly 10 minutes, following National Route 16 toward the Kamihoshigawa 2-chome intersection. The shop sits in a residential stretch of Hodogaya Ward, removed from Yokohama's central tourist zones. This location keeps the shop tied to neighborhood regulars rather than first-time tourists, the crowd skews local. For visitors staying near Yokohama Station, budget 25 minutes by train plus walking time.

Compared to Yokohama Tonton, which runs a similar price range and Tabelog 100 status, Suzukiya Honten offers later hours and simpler logistics, no advance coordination required, just show up and wait. Against hectopascal or Oishi, both of which charge JPY 8,000+ for multi-course formats, this remains a quick-service option: 15 minutes from ordering to finishing the bowl. Solo diners rotating through Yokohama's ramen tier will find it a reliable weeknight stop, provided the calendar avoids Wednesday closures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Suzukiya Honten good for a special occasion?

Not the right fit. The 13-seat counter, cash-only policy, sub-¥1,000 price point make this a casual weeknight stop, not a celebration venue. For a milestone meal, Oishi offers wine pairings and a more formal setting.

Can I eat at the bar at Suzukiya Honten?

Yes, counter seating is the only option. All 13 stools face the kitchen, so solo diners and pairs get front-row access to the prep line. Groups larger than three will sit separately.

Is Suzukiya Honten good for solo dining?

Perfectly suited. Counter-only format, no reservations, a quick turnover make this one of Yokohama's easiest solo lunch or dinner calls. Most patrons eat alone or in pairs.

Is the tasting menu worth it at Suzukiya Honten?

There isn't one. Suzukiya serves iekei ramen bowls only, no tasting menus or multi-course formats. Order a bowl, add toppings if you want, you're done in under 20 minutes.

What should I order at Suzukiya Honten?

Stick to the house iekei ramen, rich tonkotsu-shoyu broth, thick noodles, classic toppings. Bowls run under ¥1,000, so add extra pork or an egg if you're hungry. Skip experimentation; the format is deliberate.

What are alternatives to Suzukiya Honten in Yokohama?

Yokohama Tonton offers tonkotsu bowls with longer hours and easier access from central Yokohama. Mendokoro Tatsunoki delivers tsukemen for under ¥1,500 if you want noodle variety. hectopascal is another Tabelog 100 pick nearby, but also counter-only and similarly casual.

Is Suzukiya Honten worth the price?

Yes, if iekei ramen is the goal. Under ¥1,000 for a Tabelog 100 bowl is fair value, especially given the consistent selection from 2018 through 2025. It's not complex, but the format and price align.

Location

2 Chome-3-1 Kamihoshikawa, Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-0042, Japan

Yokohama, Japan

Compare Suzukiya Honten

Price vs. Value: Suzukiya Honten

Venue	Price	Booking Difficulty
Suzukiya Honten	- JPY 999 - JPY 999	Easy
Yokohama Tonton	JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 View spending breakdown	Unknown
Mendokoro Tatsunoki	- JPY 999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999	Unknown
Oishi	JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999	Unknown
hectopascal	JPY 8,000 - JPY 9,999 JPY 3,000 - JPY 3,999	Unknown
Sakurai Chuka Soba Ten	JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999	Unknown

How Suzukiya Honten compares with nearby options at a similar price tier.

Also Consider

Yokohama Tonton, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 View spending breakdown, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 View spending breakdown
Mendokoro Tatsunoki, - JPY 999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999, - JPY 999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
Oishi, JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999, JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999
hectopascal, JPY 8,000 - JPY 9,999 JPY 3,000 - JPY 3,999, JPY 8,000 - JPY 9,999 JPY 3,000 - JPY 3,999
Sakurai Chuka Soba Ten, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999

Suzukiya Honten sits in Yokohama's under-JPY-1,000 ramen tier alongside Mendokoro Tatsunoki and Sakurai Chuka Soba Ten, all three holding Tabelog 100 recognition. The difference: Suzukiya Honten runs evening service until 9 PM most nights, while Mendokoro Tatsunoki closes by early afternoon and Sakurai shortens hours on Tuesdays. For travelers who can't commit to lunch windows, Suzukiya offers the most flexible access. Yokohama Tonton matches the price and evening availability but skews toward tonkotsu rather than iekei style; solo diners rotating through both formats will notice the broth and noodle differences immediately.

Against higher-tier options like hectopascal (JPY 8,000–9,999 for dinner) or Oishi (JPY 10,000–14,999), Suzukiya Honten functions as a weeknight fallback rather than a destination meal. The counter format and cash-only payment keep the experience utilitarian. If the goal is trying Yokohama's ramen benchmarks on a budget, start here or at Mendokoro Tatsunoki; if booking difficulty or schedule constraints rule out the latter, Suzukiya remains the easier pick. For special-occasion dining, hectopascal or Oishi deliver multi-course progression and plated presentation that justify the price jump, Suzukiya stays firmly in the quick-service, high-turnover category.