Hinotori 火の鳥 Russian Restaurant 横須賀

Want to try Russian inspired food? Well you can - right here in Yokosuka (as long as you keep in mind that Yokosuka extends a bit beyond Yokosuka-Chuo train station).

Hinotori is in a beautiful location too, being right on the shoreline overlooking the entrance to Tokyo Bay. It's not too hard to find and does have parking. They've been here for over 30 years.

I've put it on the blog map and or you can click on the location link below. The are open at 1130 and the last order is at 2100. Closed most Mondays and an occasional Tuesday. Some English is spoken, so if calling try to ask for an English speaker. Their number is 046-847-1888.

The owner is a friendly Japanese man and the staff is also Japanese, just in case you were expecting some Russian expats. They prepare the classic Russian dishes of Bortsh soup, Piroshki, and Cocottes, which come in a myriad of flavors, sizes, and different sets. So although most of their dishes consist of these three simple presentations, the different sizes, flavors, and combinations makes looking through the menu and deciding a challenge. There are also some other menu options such as stroganoff, pilaf, and steak. It's all very good "home cooking" that is sure to satisfy.

I've noticed the Japanese are experts at taking a cuisine and reproducing it accurately. Although I have nothing to compare it to, my first taste of Russian food at Hinotori was very good. I think it would be even better on a cold winter day as the food is the "tummy warming" type.

The restaurant is adorned by Russian dolls called matryoshka dolls and other Russian themed items.

"Hinotori" is the Phoenix Bird - Bird of Immortality. Strictly by the Kanji it is Fire Bird or Bird of Fire 火の鳥. It's connection to Russia is a research project for you if you choose.

Bortsh soup varies widely, but here it's a tomato based soup with vegetables and often served with a bit of sour cream on top. Piroshki is a Russian style pocket sandwich filled with meat and onion or other vegetables. The cocette, shown on the bottom, is a thick cream style soup, topped with some bread.

The gnavi English site for Hinotori can be found here. And the more comprehensive Japanese gnavi site.

There are three parking spots immediately below the restaurant as shown in the photo below. There is also another parking lot nearby, but set back from the road, where there are another 3-5 spots. I'm not sure of the exact location.