Yokohama Skyline Eatery In Portland, Oregon: Meet The Chef
We sat down with Executive Chef Toshi Yokoo of Yokohama Skyline Eatery in Portland, Oregon. Welcome to Yokohama Skyline Eatery – an authentic ramen restaurant located in Portland. Situated in the city’s vibrant heart, enjoy a unique ramen dining experience that is truly unparalleled. With meticulously chosen ingredients, rich and flavorful broth, and expertly cooked noodles, each aspect of your dish embodies the authenticity and tradition of Japanese culinary art. Get a true taste of the essence of traditional ramen at Yokohama Skyline Eatery.
Yokohama Skyline Eatery In Portland, Oregon: Meet The Chef
Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?
My typical days start with shopping for whatever is needed at my restaurant and that happens before I wake up fully.
Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?
I've learned how to weld after I turned 40 and built a food cart from scratch. Also, when I decided that I wanted to make Japanese noodles, I went back to Japan for three months to really learn the science and art of making Japanese noodles, learning by day and eating out at night.
Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?
Not anyone in particular but I like the kind of chefs who are philosophical in that I can tell what they are thinking and doing rather than the kind that leaves me feeling there's absolutely no thinking involved in most things they do. My advice to aspiring chefs would be “Thinking is your friend!”
What do you typically cook at home for yourself or your family?
I cook nothing at all at home. All my cooking happens at my restaurant at the moment.
What’s a food trend that you’re loving right now and why?
AI cooking! I just started using AI in my cooking and AI is your best friend if you know how to ask the right questions. Other than that low temperature cooking like sous vide is something that revolutionized my cooking.
Yokohama Skyline Eatery In Portland, Oregon: Meet The Chef
What’s the strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? And, did you like it?
Cocoa-flavored Ramen and natto ice cream I had in Tokyo! Hell yeah!
What cocktail or beverage do you enjoy most?
My passion is in eating good food, but fancy sake can be something I enjoy a lot. I've had bourbons in the past but it was too dangerous.
Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?
When I worked in West Hollywood decades ago, I did. As for the story at the time, when I was taking a break in the back of the restaurant, someone was pushing a Ducati motorcycle rather quickly and coming towards where we were. Suddenly, a famous actor came out from the back door, took over the motorcycle, and took off as the paparazzi chased him. It was Brad Pitt!
What’s your Instagram so readers can follow you?
It’s @yokohamaskylinepdx.
Why should readers visit Yokohama Skyline Eatery in Portland, Oregon?
We serve a good selection of clean-tasting, well-balanced ramen with different options, that doesn't give you unwanted aftertaste or unstoppable thirst for hours. I believe that there is a collective lack of awareness among Oregon locals that estimated 70 to 80% of the ramen served at restaurants in Oregon are made with factory made sauces with water added to them. It could taste good like fast food but it simply isn't healthy in the long run and destroys your ability to taste real food.
From day one, we have been making my ramen with real ingredients, making our broths and sauces from scratch. That's the authentic way and the only way to make good ramen, period. Many of our Japanese customers tell us that our ramen is made just like the ramen in Japan and that's what I'm striving for. Please come visit us when you come to Portland!