ToKi — Restaurant in Yokohama

Probably my favourite noodle shop in all of Japan. The cooks work behind a pane of glass, cutting thick noodle chunks off a giant noodle block.

They have an English menu, but it can sometimes be tricky communicating. Considering that they operate in a tourist area, the English level of the lone server here tends to be low, and even their Japanese is frequently heavily accented. Nothing wrong with that, but just a warning to those whose Japanese isn't great that there will be a double language barrier to work through. Don't let that discourage you, though, the noodles are worth it.

Also, don't let the tinyness of the restaurant put you off, unless you're thinking of coming here with a large group. Anything over five is going to be tricky, and anything larger than ten and you'll have to order to go. There are two tiny tables where you might cram five people at each (and I mean cram--the server will be practically stepping on you), and maybe ten seats at the counter, but don't count on this place ever being empty.

I recommend one of the stir fry noodle plates.

Another word of caution: if the menu says something is spicy, it's not kidding, it will melt your face off.

I know this looks like a text wall of complaints, but when I'm in Chinatown, I beeline for this place, and you should too. The downsides aren't really downsides:...

Toki (杜記) is a small but incredibly lively Sichuan restaurant known for its bold flavors and authentic atmosphere. The interior is narrow and always full — you can see the kitchen right behind the counter, hear the sizzle of chili oil, and smell the unmistakable aroma of peppercorns. The menu offers a great variety of classic dishes, from mapo tofu and spicy fried chicken to boiled pork slices in chili broth, shrimp with hot sauce, and handmade dumplings served with fragrant chili oil. Portions are generous, prices reasonable, and the spice level is truly authentic — numbing, aromatic, and satisfying. We tried several dishes, including Sichuan dumplings, mapo tofu, and Sichuan spicy chicken, all bursting with flavor and perfectly balanced between heat and richness. The texture of the ingredients, especially the tofu and tender chicken pieces, showed great attention to detail. It’s not a place for those seeking mild flavors, but if you love real Sichuan cuisine and don’t mind a bit of fire, Toki is absolutely...

It's a hidden gem!

There're so so so many choices to choose from in Chukagai. If you don't mind noodles, this is a great choice. You have to walk through an alleyway to find this place. This one doesn't have flashy signs like others. You'll see a wooden board sticking out with an old man shaving what looks like a big dough.

Very limited seating so there's usually a wait. The noodles were chewy and the soup was excellent. While waiting, you can watch the chef at work shaving the noodles.

Extra Points to the worker for rejecting line cutters. 2 girls just ignored the line and walked in the store asking for a seat in mandarin. There were about 10 of us waiting outside so they knew exactly what they were doing. The worker told them to wait in the...