Restaurant Hamakura

Yokosuka restaurant Hamakura is a great place to go to lunch. It's just a short drive down Yokosukakaigan road (shoreline road). They are located right next to the seafood market and take advantage of it through their sushi and sashimi offerings. Free parking. We've been there for dinner too twice, and were pleased.

But if sushi is not your thing they have some good lunch offerings and daily specials that are typically along the lines of tempura, cooked seafood, and soba noodles. Neither I nor my family have ever had sushi here but we have always been able to find something to our liking - all at a good price.


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View from the outside. This was taken from the free parking lot just to the north of the building.
The restaurant is located on the second floor up the steps.Look for the colorful flags and the yellow window shades and the sign of course.

Just as you enter, you will see a table to the right that has plates showing today's specials. You will also see several picture menus around.

On the table you'll see "A set" on the left (red sign) and "B set" on the right (blue sign) and then there will be one or two others usually but not necessarily lettered.

Kanji learning point:
Whenever you see  定食 it means a "Set Meal" and is pronounced "teishoku." You'll encounter this kanji all over the place.

The only english so far is the A and the B. So if you want an A set or B set you are good to go.

But if you want the other choices you may have to look at the katakana/hiragana/kanji and then remember it for the next step. Also take note of the price.

As I said there is also a large picture menu hanging near the door if you'd like to choose something else.



There are also very nice workers here who are sympathetic to poor Americans looking lost and in need of help. So fear not, just point to what you would like and they will help you with the rest (paying). 

The dreaded ticket machine. Sure to trip you up
when there is a line of Japanese waiting behind you...

After picking your choice for lunch you'll go to the ticket machine. The A set and B set are clearly marked in the middle. See the Red and the Blue tags again?

If you wanted something else then start by trying to match the price first then match the Japanese writing second. If they both match then you've found it.

Put your money in first (for just you or for your entire family) then as you hit each button a colored token will drop out. After you are done, turn the silver knob to the right and your change will come out if you are due any.


Remember, there is someone there to help you and they can even take your money at the cash register and hand you a colored token to bypass the machine. Just look lost, ask for help, and point to what you want. They'll help you with the rest and all with a smile. Rest easy, you are welcome here.



  

Take your tokens back here at the other end of the restaurant and the attendant will verify your order and give you a number ticket.

You can also see the place to get hot green tea and a water cooler for water.

Then just find a seat and wait for your number to be called.

Deep fried seafood platter

Eventually your number is called. But wait, I don't understand any Japanese!! Well even if you don't hear your number they will eventually hunt you down and either deliver your food to you or tell you to come and get it.

This was the assorted deep fried and breaded seafood with sweet potato and eggplant pieces too. It was served with tartar sauce, a small soup, some pickles and a generous bowl of rice. 800Yen.

Large shrimp tempura with soba noodles. 600Yen

Lunch for 3 was 2000Yen.

Dinner is more heavily focused on sashimi, but you'll still be able to find some tempura like dishes. I recommend this place primarily for lunch unless you know and like your sashimi.

Cold Noodles

Fish set

Fish set

Another lunch set meal

Some tuna steaks - dinner menu

Evening picture - you don't use the ticket machine at night. Just pay like a regular restaurant.

Tuna collar

This is a little rice/soup/pickle set available at dinner

The gentlemen at the very left of this picture is the owner. He speaks some English and will be happy to help you pay and get seated.

They have a new dinner menu (I don't have pictures) but it has lots of pictures on it. So you should be able to look at it and order. Feel free to ask questions, as some of the staff can speak some English.

One side of the english dinner menu

Osusume or recommended items

Other side of the English dinner menu