Tabelog ratingSpice Drunker yabuya (Spice Drunker やぶや) is less a restaurant and more a laboratory for flavour, run from a 10-seat counter in Yokohama's Isezakicho district. The owner-chef has a singular focus: pairing hot sake (kanzake) with intensely spiced small plates. Here, sake is not just a drink but an ingredient, heated to precise temperatures, blended, and sometimes even mixed with spirits like mezcal to create a perfect match for each course of an omakase menu.
Guests consistently praise the novelty and precision of the pairings. The experience is a journey through Asian flavours, with standout dishes including mutton mapo tofu, chicken malai tikka, and various seasonal 'achar' (pickles), such as those made with young ayu sweetfish or firefly squid. The owner's explanations are described as encyclopedic, offering a deep dive into how temperature transforms the sake's profile against the spices.
However, this unique vision comes with a rigid framework that many reviewers find challenging. The owner's service is frequently described as brusque, lecturing, or even aggressive. Guests report strict house rules—such as no perfume and no cold drinks before or after the meal—and a feeling of being pressured into the full omakase. Several reviews also mention a lack of clarity around billing and cancellation fees.
A full omakase course runs around ¥14,000, with a typical total spend of ¥10,000–¥15,000 per person. When available à la carte, small plates like firefly squid with heshiko sauce have been quoted at ¥600 and mains like mutton mapo tofu at ¥1,100. It offers good value for those seeking a highly specific, educational experience, but poor value for diners who prioritise a relaxed atmosphere and hospitable service.
- Reservations: Reservations are essential and can be made via direct message on the restaurant's social media channels. This is not a walk-in establishment.
- Service Style: Expect a focused, omakase-style service with strict house rules. The owner's direct service style is a frequent topic of reviews, and first-time visitors are asked to read a guide on the restaurant's social media.
- Location: Located in the Isezakicho district of Yokohama, a 2-minute walk from the north exit of Kannai Station. It is on the 3rd floor of the Numata Building.
- Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners, UnionPay), transportation IC cards (like Suica), and QR code payments (PayPay, WeChat Pay) are accepted.
- Seating: Seating is at a counter with just 10 seats.
- Age Restriction: Minors are not permitted to enter.
- Smoking & Parking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking. No parking is available.
