“Hey, you” is what you might hear upon entering Ribera Steakhouse. This isn’t just any steakhouse. Ribera is a legendary spot with a global reputation. Its fame grew through word of mouth. Ribera Steak House is wrestling’s spiritual home in Japan. It is a family-run restaurant. It became hallowed ground thanks to its unique connection to wrestling.
Ribera Steakhouse didn’t plan to become famous. Toshihiko Yamaguchi runs the Meguro branch. He says wrestlers from overseas loved the place. If you aren’t a wrestling fan, you might not know Ribera. Norikazu Yamaguchi, Toshihiko’s father, opened the first Ribera in 1972. It was in Tokyo’s Gotanda area and only seated about ten people. Five years later, he opened a second location near Meguro Station. This one seated around 30.
The elder Yamaguchi wasn’t interested in wrestling initially. But destiny intervened when American wrestler Bruiser Brody visited in the late 1970s. Brody loved Ribera so much that he asked Yamaguchi for a jacket with the restaurant’s name. Norikazu made the jacket and gave it to Brody. Brody wore the Ribera jacket at wrestling shows worldwide. This got other wrestlers curious. They visited Ribera whenever they were in Tokyo. Yamaguchi made more jackets as gifts.
Visiting Ribera became a tradition for wrestlers visiting Japan. The satin bomber jacket is a must-have for any wrestler. It features a bull’s-head logo. Toshihiko Yamaguchi says wrestlers grew up seeing stars like Brody and Hulk Hogan wearing Ribera jackets. Getting a Ribera jacket is proof that a wrestler has made it. The jackets are not for sale. They are given as gifts to show appreciation. It made the owners happy to see Brody in magazines wearing the jacket.
Yamaguchi says thousands of wrestlers have visited Ribera. Photos cover the walls. You can see stars like Hogan, The Rock, and John Cena wearing Ribera jackets. The younger Yamaguchi is in many of the photos too. He grew up around wrestlers. He even stayed with Road Warrior Animal’s family. Yamaguchi says wrestlers are different in real life than their public image. Some played villains but were serious. Others partied hard after matches.
Trouble sometimes happened. The police were called if wrestlers with real-life issues met at Ribera. These days, fewer overseas wrestlers visit Ribera. There are fewer wrestling shows in Japan. Most of Ribera’s customers aren’t wrestling fans. They come for the simple menu. You can order good-quality steak in half or full-pound cuts. You can try Ribera’s eating challenge. Eat three servings of jumbo steak and rice in 30 minutes. You will win ¥10,000 and a free meal if you win.
Ribera Steakhouse remains a spiritual home for wrestlers visiting Japan. Yamaguchi says countless wrestlers have visited. Almost every famous wrestler from overseas has been to Ribera. It is an honor. Ribera didn’t try to become famous using wrestlers. The wrestlers just liked the place. It makes Yamaguchi proud that they come from all over the world. Ribera Steakhouse is more than just a restaurant. It’s a piece of wrestling history.