Yokosuka Food Corner - Blue Street and Beyond: Hamakura

I've done a post on Hamakura before but it was mainly discussing their lunch. Their dinner menu has been recently updated, and it is almost a different restaurant when compared to lunch - so it's getting an updated post for dinner.

Just recently we've been going to Hamakura for dinner a bit more regularly. We are already regular lunch customers.

But dinner is completely different at Hamakura. At lunch you use the token machine to pay and bring your token to the counter. The menu is limited to a few recommended set meals and a variety of tempura, sashimi, and soups. At dinner, you'll sit down and be given a regular menu and a server take your order. They will also deliver some complimentary hot green tea. At lunch you go get the tea and water yourself.

We are pretty impressed with the food both at lunch and dinner. But their dinner menu is better now than it was in the past. There have plenty of sushi and sashimi, after all they are located right by a fish market. But their cooked menu options have expanded and are noteworthy.

Hamakura is located just past AVE on the left as you're heading south. Park in the lot to the north of the restaurant. There is plenty of parking and it's free. You can find Hamakura on the blog map. They are open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays and holidays. Closed between 3-5p.m.

Tuna Steak

They have a very good English menu. It contains just about all of the items you'll find on the Japanese menu but not all. So if you are given an English menu I'd recommend asking for a Japanese menu as well. They both have pictures so you'll be able to see what items are different and can point to the items on the Japanese menu you might like. For instance, the Japanese menu has Buri kama (Buri collar) and sea bream, but the English menu does not have those items. The Buri kama is excellent and worth a try. One way of asking for a Japanese menu might go like this: Nihongo no menu ga onegaishimas (Japanese menu please).

Both the English and Japanese menus are available below in pictures.

Overall a big thumbs up for Hamakura. Great food, good prices, and friendly service.

Hama はま means seashore or beach and Kura 蔵 means storehouse or warehouse. Similar to hama in Yokohama and the kura in Kamakura.

Buri kama

A rice, soup, and pickle set is available for only 250 Yen.

Cuttlefish

The cuttlefish was substantial, juicy, and very tasty. Tastes better than squid.

Mega Kakiage

The Japanese menu calls the above dish "Mega Kakiage." Kakiage is a mixture of vegetables and seafood (typically shrimp) mixed in tempura and deep fried. Hamakura takes this to a new level. If you look at the English menu below, you'll see it comes with a warning: "When you eat alone, please be careful" and points out the dimensions on the menu (in inches nonetheless). The Japanese menu declares: "One person cannot eat!"

A look inside the megakakiage - 700 Yen

The inside of the kakiage was a bit "batter-y" but the outside was nice and crispy.

Some sushi and ramen

The sushi was large and nicely priced. The prices are only on the Japanese menu. The sizes are much larger than the 100 Yen places but the prices only slightly higher.