Tokki: Eighty Years of Pig's Trotter Noodles, and the Days I Got Told Off | Yokohama Chinatown

Hi everyone, it's Boss.

Round the corner of an alley off Kanteibyo Street. You won't find it unless you already know it. This is Tokki.

The sign says "80 years." What they're known for is hand-pulled noodles and pig's trotter braised until it falls apart.

I dropped it straight in and got told off

The broth used to be filled right to the rim of the bowl, so you had to eat some noodles and bring the level down before you could add the trotter.

Not knowing any of that, I dropped it straight in and got a telling-off. I miss the thrill of trying to sneak it past that fearsome lady.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? Don't you know how to eat this? First time?" — delivered straight, and ringing out across a packed restaurant.

Everyone was so wary of her that the whole place kept its voice down. Even the people drinking beer drank in silence.

And yet, when she handed back your change she'd smile and say "come again." Every visit was nerve-racking, and somehow you wanted to go back.

There's music playing now and it's perfectly peaceful. I wouldn't mind being told off by her one more time.

Since the owner changed, they leave you room for the trotter from the start. And the flavour is exactly as it was. That's the good part.

Trotter, noodles, sauce

The braising sauce is excellent.

You work it into the broth and take it with the hand-pulled noodles.

That combination is pure happiness. If you love pig's trotter, this is your place.

Watch the video

Tokki is a short walk from ROUROU. If you're stopping by our shop, give it a try.

The videos are on Instagram @y.chinatown_boss. Have a look if you like.

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