YOKOHAMA: Chinatown

I have been to Tokyo SO MANY times, and I'm really kicking myself because why have I never made a trip to Yokohama?

Yokohama is such a beautiful city. There's so many things to do such as cup noodle museum etc, cosmoworld ( where I sat a ferris wheel for the first time in my life! ) 

But what really surprised me the most is, Chinatown is AMAZING. 

I used to try to fly down to Shanghai every year just to eat the xiaolongbaos and shengjianbaos and dazhaxie. I used to swear by Shanghai for these 3 things.

However, I've just realised, THE SHENGJIANBAOS in Yokohama are BETTER! Juicier, Less charred = less carcinogenic and More aesthetically pleasing !

We got our shengjianbao from this Shanghai shop, you will definitely not miss it because there's a long line always.

We tried the xiaolongbaos there as well... hmmm. I think Shanghai nanxiang's is much better hahah.

Apart from the shengjianbaos ( Fried soup dumpling), another must eat is the Annin ice cream ( almond ice cream)

It was so good I had 2 consecutive ice creams

There is heaps of Peking Duck restaurants all over the place, I tried this one which won many awards but... I think the peking duck in China or Imperial Treasure super peking duck is still the best.

Crepe skin is way toooo thick. Duck is mediocre

YOKOHAMA: Araiya 荒井屋牛鍋店万國橋店

Onto our 2nd destination - YOKOHAMA !

I've never been to Yokohama despite visiting Tokyo so often. And I definitely had heaps of activities lined up such as CUP NOODLE MUSEUM, COSMOWORLD etc
But first,
LUNCH.

I really love sukiyaki. I think I've mentioned in a previous post that I definitely feel that I prefer sukiyaki to shabu shabu.
So. I couldn't think of a better place for lunch other than Yokohama style Sukiyaki - Gyunabe

Our meals!

I had the lunch special premium gyunabe 3040yen. Just look at the marbling of the beef! This meal was soo good! I really hate working but guess what, I would work 8 days in a row in emergency department just to have this meal.
One disappointment is that, there was no option to top up beef !

Nick also had gyunabe. His cost 1400 yen. I guess this option sorta caters more to the locals who do not need extravagance like tourists. I think the reason why his is much cheaper than mine is because, 1) not premium beef. BUT STILL V GOOD BEEF. come on its japan 2) you dont cook it yourself ( okay this shouldnt be a reason but yeah.

I also ordered an extra side of .. I dont know which part this is. I initially thought it was brisket with tendons and daikon because I LOVE TENDONS. but there wasn't any tendon or daikon ): However, this was really really good as well 1000yen.

I was SO tempted to return to this same place for dinner! 

Definitely will pay this palce another visit if im ever in Yokohama again.

Araiya ( click to visit website )

4-23 Kaigandori, Naka-ku, Yokohama 

Nearest train station: Bashamachi station 

Opening hours: everyday except 3rd sunday of the month

11am-3pm, 5-10pm ( weekdays)

11am-10pm ( weekends and holidays)