Chibo Sogo Yokohama

Yokohama may already be celebrated for its plethora of cuisine — Chinese, gyunabe, napolitan pasta and doria — but it’s about to welcome a new gourmet icon: Chibo, Japan’s first okonomiyaki chain. This culinary titan has landed on the 10th floor of the Sogo Yokohama Store, conveniently located near the bustling Yokohama Station. Since its humble beginnings in 1973 in Sennichimae, Osaka, Chibo has mastered the art of creating the perfect dining atmosphere. What was once considered a simple street food has now upgraded itself to department stores and hotels, and the Sogo Yokohama branch is no exception. Here, each table is equipped with a teppan grill, marble-clad walls exude elegance and chefs don pristine white uniforms that echo the sophistication of fine dining. But so much more than its luxurious appearance is Chibo’s dedication to okonomiyaki. Unlike the layered Hiroshima style, Chibo specializes in Kansai-style okonomiyaki, where all ingredients are mixed into a single batter. The result is a knead-to-order pancake that’s delightfully fluffy, thanks to their proprietary flour blend with yam as a natural binder, and crispy on the outside, perfected through a precise four-flip grilling technique that traps air while ensuring a golden surface. Even the cabbage, sourced from domestic farms, turns naturally sweet as it cooks. Among the menu highlights is Chiboyaki, a signature creation crowned with a dramatic prawn head and garnished with crispy shrimp leg crackers. For those seeking something heartier, the Dotonboriyaki offers a generous medley of pork belly, squid, shrimp, beef tendon, konjac and melted cheese. With Chibo bringing a taste of Osaka to Yokohama, it’s no surprise that locals are already embracing this celebrated okonomiyaki destination.