Hokkaido Must Eat: Sea Urchin From Shakotan

by Emily | posted in: Hokkaido Japan | 0

Last updated on April 27th, 2024

One of the Hokkaido must eat food is freshness sea urchin from Shakotan. The Osyokujidokoro Misaki and Naramuraya served the best sea urchin in Hokkaido. Below is my food hunting journey to this best food in Hokkaido.

Shakotan is known for gorgeous mountainous peninsula in Japan. It is best to plan for one day trip to Shakotan during summer to visit the famous Cape Kamui. However, do you know that Shakotan is especially famous for sea urchin? Even locals come all the way to try on their fresh uni especially during the harvesting season. When planning on your travel itinerary, don’t forget to include sea urchin or uni when planning on what to eat in Cape Kamui trip.

During my visit to Shakotan by public bus, I can’t resist to this Hokkaido must eat food. We decided to include this must eat food in Shakotan into my travel itinerary. Due to the limited bus per day, I need to be extra careful on the timing. So, it is best to visit Cape Kamui by self-driving with a rental car. Remember to compare your rental car in Rentalcar.com with best price guarantee.

Read on my food hunt for the must eat food in Hokkaido, the freshness sea urchin in Shakotan.

Where To Eat The Sea Urchin in Shakotan

As per introduced, Shakotan is famous for the sea urchin rice bowl. The best season for uni is June and July. Many locals will come to Hokkaido and drive along the way to Shakotan for the tasty uni don.

Among all the restaurant, Osyokujidokoro Misaki and Osyokujidokoro Naramuraya are the two most famous restaurant which served the best sea urchin in Shakotan. These two restaurants are located nearby within a 200-meter distance.

Both restaurants are running by fisherman and family. They served the freshly caught sea urchin from the coast every day. However, please take note that both restaurants only opened during summer from late April to October. So, please double check on the operating time during your visit.

Osyokujidokoro Misaki (お食事処みさき)

Address: 236 Hidukacho, Shakotan-cho, Shakotan-gun 046-0326, Hokkaido
Operating Hours: From 9:30 to 15:30 (End of April to October)
- Close on Thursday during 2nd and 4th week of the month
Website: http://osyokujidokoromisaki.com/

Osyokujidokoro Naramuraya (お食事処中村屋)

Address: 50-1 Hizukacho, Shakotan-cho, Shakotan-gun 046-0326, Hokkaido
Operating Hours: From 9:00 to 16:00 (End of April to October)
- Close on Thursday during 2nd and 4th week of the month
Website: https://shakotan.jp/

My Food Hunt To Osyokujidokoro Naramuraya

We arrived and getting off at Hizukatomari (日司泊) bus stop by Highway Bus Shakotan-go (高速しゃこたん号). The location of the Naramuraya is just opposite the bus stop. Without wasting time, we immediately proceed and walked to the restaurant.

Read more my day trip to Cape Kamui by public bus

Probably my visit time in early June is still early for the best urchin. There are only a few tables of customers were having their lunch in Naramuraya. But I know that they were very satisfied with their seafood based on their conversation and expression.

What To Eat in Naramuraya

We were welcomed and sat at a table. The staff seem like does not speak English very well but it was no problem to order at Naramuraya. The menu was ready with picture and price nicely stated. Price ranging from 2800 yen up to 7000 yen depend on which type of sea urchin order.

The Japanese purple sea urchin rice bowl (Murasaki uni) and Japanese red sea urchin rice bowl (bafun uni).

Special Edition of Sea Urchin in Naramuraya

While the special uni don with served the both type of sea urchin in one bowl. By ordering this, you can taste and compare different types of sea urchin in one bowl. However, it is a limited edition with only 10 bowl per day. And we were too late for this.

After consideration, I decided to order the Murasaki uni as the bafun uni is too expensive. Besides, we also order a grill mackerel fish as a side dish.

Note: Price listed for reference only. May difference after increase on Japan tax in 2019.

The Taste of Freshness Sea Urchin

Approximately 10 minutes later, My Murasaku uni don was served. It was topped with a generous amount of sea urchin with miso soup and pickle radish came together.

Once the first bite, the sea urchin were smoothly melted in my mouth. Its flavor immediately spread out in my mouth. It was so buttery creamy with pure taste of the briny sweetness. It was so delicious.

Although I did not try on many sea urchin but I can say that this is the best uni I had so far. It was so fresh without the fishy taste. Most importantly, the price is so reasonable for such a generous of sea urchin. The portion was much bigger and fresh. I roughly remember single of sea urchin already cost me about 500 yen even in Japanese local market. And it was served in a full bowl of uni. Worth it.

Hokkaido Must Eat: Sea Urchin From Shakotan

In terms of freshness, quality, and price, Naramuraya is the best place to eat the extremely fresh sea urchin rice with reasonable price. It is no place to eat such sumptuous and affordable uni don even in Japan.

The Osyokujidokoro Naramuraya is perfectly located between Cape Kamui and Shimamui Coast on Shakotan Peninsula. So we highly recommended to stop by Naramuraya for this Hokkaido must eat food. Again, self-driving is the best and convenient transportation to get to Naramuraya. We will be back here if we travel to Hokkaido again.

This food blog is part of my Hokkaido food guide during my Hokkaido trip in Summer. Continue read on my food hunting journey for the best food in Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa.

Hokkaido Food Guide: Top 10 Must Eat Food in Hokkaido

Otaru Food Guide: Seafood Donburi at Sankaku Market

by Emily | posted in: Hokkaido Japan | 0

Last updated on April 27th, 2024

For those who are looking for where and what to eat in Otaru, we highly recommended reading on my Otaru food guide if you are looking for fresh seafood. Reasonably priced and generously portioned of fresh seafood bowls are served in Sankaku Market.

Otaru (小樽) is a popular place to visit when planning on the Hokkaido itinerary. Located close to the fishing port, Otaru is not only famous for its beautiful attraction. It is also well known for its outstanding seafood. The strategic location makes the seafood in Otaru cheaper and more fresh compared with other fish markets in the city.

We visited the Sankaku Market (三角市場) during my day trip to Otaru. It is the best place in Otaru if you want to have fresh Hokkaido seafood. Their wonderful seafood rice bowl was so delicious and fresh. Most importantly, reasonable prices for the quality and quantity of seafood. We even came back the next day for the second visit.

Read on my Otaru food guide on seafood feast in Sankaku Market Otaru.

Table of Contents

How To Get To Sankaku Market Otaru

How To Get To Ajidokoro Takeda in Sankaku Market

Sankaku Market is located beside the Otaru JR station. It is super easy to get to Sankaku Market. Just follow the short flight of stairs to the left of the JR station once exiting.

The entrance of Sankaku Market is right in front of you. It is easy to get to Sankaku Market Otaru with a clear signboard.

Sankaku Market Otaru is a small fresh market. There have many seafood stalls and restaurants along the alley. Most of the restaurants are selling similar food. But you won’t miss out on the Ajidokoro Takeda and Kita no Donburiya Takinami Shokudo which are located in the middle of the street.

Both are the busiest shops inside the market. You can choose and buy the lively fresh seafood from the shop and then directly cook it for you.

What is the best place for fresh seafood in Otaru?

Sankaku market Otaru is definitely a place that is worth the go for some superb seafood. It offers fresh seafood at an amazingly great price.

What is the must eat in the Sankaku market?

The Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) is definitely worth trying in the Otaru Sankaku market. It is overwhelming with fresh quality seafood from your own favorite toppings.

What is the opening time in the Otaru Sankaku market?

Otaru Sankaku market is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00.

Takinami Shokudo

Firstly, we highly recommended looking for the best seafood rice bowl from Kita no Donburiya Takinami Shokudo (滝波食堂). This local Japanese shop has various seafood freshly caught from the sea. It is a simple restaurant full of local tastes.

But don’t underestimate it based on the exterior. It is always a full house as many locals and foreigners are coming to taste their famous seafood rice bowl.

Takinami Shokudo (滝波食堂):

Address: 3-10-16 Inaho | Sankaku Market, Otaru 047-0032, Hokkaido
Operating Hours: 8:00 to 17:00 (last order at 16:30)

Menu of Takinami Shokudo

There are a variety of seafood rice bowls that can be ordered based on the picture menu. We have no preference for the seafood type. So we decided to same order the best seller seafood rice bowl which came with probably 8 types of raw seafood.

Besides, if none of them is suitable for you, you can also create your original seafood donburi from your own favorite toppings.

The flexible menu lets you choose from 3 or 4 combinations of sashimi on rice and then for either normal or large size. A good idea, right?

Miso Soup With Crab Leg Served in Ajidokoro Takeda

While waiting, we were served hot green tea and steaming seafood miso soup for free. See the crag leg from the miso soup. What’s a bargain!

Additionally, the dried squid was also served as part of the meal as an appetizer.

Seafood Donburi from Takinami Shokudo

My seafood rice bowl in Ajidokoro Takeda is overflowing with sea food

My seafood rice bowl was prepared and served without a long wait. I was so excited when saw my rice bowl almost overflowing with seafood. It came with a generous amount of seafood such as sea urchin, salmon egg, crab meat, and my favorite Botan shrimp.

I especially like the taste of the Botan shrimp. It was so sweet with a firm texture. I can feel the freshness and sweetness once bite on it. The remaining seafood was as fresh as can be and delicious. Satisfied meal from Takinami Shokudo.

All in all, the seafood rice bowl served from Takinami Shokudo probably is one of the Kaisen Donburi that I ate so far. It was so fresh with overflowing sashimi on top. I highly recommended it if you are looking for what to eat in Otaru.

Ajidokoro Takeda

We have a very satisfying meal during my first visit to Sankaku Market. So we decided to come back the next day for the best seafood in Otaru. This time, we visited the Ajidokoro Takeda for another seafood feast.

Ajidokoro Takeda (味処たけだ) is one of the first restaurants that started to serve fresh seafood bowls directly. It is run by “Takeda Fish Store （武田鮮魚店) located in front of the dining restaurant. You can select king crab, oyster, sea urchin, oyster, and various seafood in Ajidokoro Takeda. The chef can serve it raw or can cook the seafood with perfection. Most importantly, pricing is very reasonable.

Ajidokoro Takeda (味処たけだ):

Address: Sankaku Fish Market 10-16 Inaho-3 Otaru-City Hokkaido
Operating Hours: 7:00 to 16:00 (last order at 15:30)

What To Eat at Ajidokoro Takeda

Ajidokoro Takeda is located in the middle of the market alley. There were a lot of customers who were having their seafood for breakfast at 9:00 a.m.

Again, a wide variety of seafood rice bowls are served at Ajidokoro Takeda. Their best seller is the three-colored seafood rice bowl which came with sea urchins, crabs, and ikura salmon roe. The price is so cheap at about 2300 yen only. It normally costs more than if eat outside of the market.

Seafood Donburi from Ajidokoro Takeda

ANA Seafood Rice Bowl from Ajidokoro Takeda

Since we had tried on the best seafood donburi at Takinami Shokudo. We decided to order only one seafood rice bowl and some side orders at Ajidokoro Takeda. We opted for ANA donburi instead of tri-colored donburi because of the additional variety compare with the three types of seafood.

Without a long wait, our seafood rice bowl from Ajidokoro Takeda was served. It was filled with fresh, locally caught seafood such as snow crab, sea urchin, salmon, and salmon roe.

The fresh sweet-savory natural taste just makes you want more. Additionally, the portion was generous too.

While our side order came later. The unagi is a great choice for those who looking to cook food instead of raw seafood. It tasted good and savory too.

My friend enjoyed it very much. But I still more preferred for fresh sashimi compared cooked unagi.

Side order beside the seafood rice bowl in Ajidokoro Takeda

The grilled scallop and prawn are other side dishes we ordered. It also tastes so good.

Such an incredibly satisfying meal indeed. Another best restaurant in Otaru for fresh seafood.

Otaru Food Review

Overall my food hunting for the best food in Sankaku Market was not disappointed. We enjoyed ourselves so much at Takinami Shokudo and Ajidokoro Takeda. There are many best sushi restaurants in Otaru. But we highly recommended you try on the seafood donburi at the market or even a local shop.

The bowl was filled with fresh seafood which almost overflowed over rice. The seafood was very fresh and delicious. Most importantly, reasonable prices for the quality and amount of seafood they offer. One of the best dining experiences in Hokkaido. Absolute must try when visiting Otaru.

Hopefully, my Otaru food guide can give you some inspiration when looking for where and what to eat in Otaru. This food blog is part of my Hokkaido food guide for the best food in Otaru. Read more below on my visit to Otaru and others must eat food when visiting Hokkaido.

Day trip to Otaru and Nikka Whisky Distillery

Hokkaido Food Guide: Top 10 Must Eat Food in Hokkaido

Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo: Food Review on Best Food in Hokkaido

by Emily | posted in: Hokkaido Japan | 0

Last updated on April 27th, 2024

Soup Curry is known as must-try food in Hokkaido. We tasted the Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo and highly recommended it to everyone when visiting Sapporo.

Hokkaido is famous for its fresh seafood and local produce. There are so many best food in Sapporo awaiting you when visiting here. Among all the must eat food, you should try a Soup Curry at least once in Sapporo.

We had soup curry as planned on the Sapporo itinerary. After check on many food reviews, we decided to Soup Curry Garaku during my 2 days in Sapporo.

Read on my food review on Garaku Restaurant, probably the best soup curry in Sapporo and Hokkaido.

Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo

Location and exterior of Soup Curry Garaku

Garaku Restaurant is located in located nearby Tanuki Koji shopping street as well as the Susukino metro stop. While it is probably one of the most popular soup curry in Sapporo. There are always long lines to try on their soup curry. Since it’s popular the wait can be long, so be prepared to wait especially during lunch and dinner time.

Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo

Address: 2-6-1 Minami 2-jo Nishi | Okumura Bldg. B1F North Entrance, Chuo, Sapporo 060-0062, Hokkaido
Operating Hours: Lunch from 11:30 to 15:30 and Dinner from 17:30 to 23:30 (last order 23:00).
Price Range: A bowl of Garaku soup curry is ranging from 1100 to 1500 yen

We went to Soup Curry Garaku around 7.30 p.m and hope that the waiting line can be shorter. However, there was still a queue was forming at the basement level leading from the restaurant. It was not difficult to imagine how packed this eatery could be during the peak dinner time.

The staff was attentive and take a record of your name and number of pax while line up. Luckily the queue cleared up pretty fast. We waited about 30 minutes to be seated inside the restaurant. The restaurant is not big and can be seated for probably 40 people. There are tables cater for larger groups and bar seating areas for solo or couple visitors.

Fresh ingredient and MSG free for soup curry in Garaku Sapporo

One of the reasons people are craving about the Garaku soup curry. The best part soup curry of Garaku Sapporo is using the fresh ingredient and cook with MSG-free. Thumb up for Garaku Sapporo.

Although Garaku restaurant is serving the Hokkaido local dishes, the decorated is more like a North American ski lodge cabin resort. It also accompanied with music from the 70s and 80s.

In short, the dining ambiance inside was cozy and comfortable.

How To Order in Garaku

Garaku has an English menu for foreign visitors. So no worry about how to order in Garaku Sapporo. The price is very reasonable, ranging from 1100 to 1500 yen (might be different after the tax increase in 2019).

The top seller soup curry from Garaku is their softly braised pork belly and chicken thigh soup curry. Since we only have two people, so we decided to try on both dishes. Besides, their vegetarian option soup curry for non-meat friendly customers.

Chicken thigh soup curry and butter rice from Garaku Sapporo

Next, you have a choice of the size of rice and different levels of spiciness based on your spicy tolerance. The array of spice levels can choose from level 1 to a maximum of 40. You will need to top up an additional 110 yen or 210 yen for the highest spicy level. I chose level 19 of the spice level which is in the middle level without paying additional extra.

While for rice, you can choose from 100g, 200g or 300g amount of rice. I opted for the medium at 200g of rice. Added, I also ordered the yuzu lassi for drink and fried chicken for side dishes.

After finish choosing the soup curry, spice level, amount of rice, we were ready for the best coup curry in Sapporo.

The Taste on Garaku Soup Curry

It took us about 10 minutes to serve the dishes. The soup curry bowl came with a good mix of meat and vegetables. It looks so good and colorful.

We were amazed by the soup curry and aroma. Firstly, the soup curry broth from Garaku has rich in curry flavors although it was on the thin side. It has its distinct taste unlike typical Asian curry with coconut milk nor the typical Japanese curry. It may look like soup but was so delicious with the texture of spicy stew. In our opinion, it was easier to eat than normal thick curry.

While the chicken thigh was very tender soft. Added, the remaining ingredients were fresh and tasty. I especially like the pumpkins which tasted very nice. It was awesome to eat with the butter rice.

We finished off with the whole bowl of soup curry till the last drop. Added, the yuzu lassi was so perfect match with soup curry. High recommended order together for a complete meal.

Food Review on Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo

All in all, it was a wonderful experience being able to taste the Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo. Since soup curry is very well known in Sapporo, please consider trying at least once when in Sapporo. We have try on other soup curries in Hokkaido, but the Garaku Sapporo has much stronger herbal taste and aroma.

This little gem restaurant is highly recommended by locals and visitors. So won’t be surprise there are always long lines awaiting to taste on this best soup curry from Garaku. Truly a must-try in Sapporo. It’s worth trying when visiting Hokkaido.

Lastly, this Garaku Soup Curry Sapporo is part of my Sapporo travel blog when visiting Sapporo. Check out our Hokkaido food review on all the must try food in Sapporo, Asahikawa, Otaru, Noboribetsu and more.

2-Days Sapporo itinerary: Things to do in Sapporo

Hokkaido Food Guide: Top 10 Must Eat Food in Hokkaido

Fukutaro, The Taste of Best Okonomiyaki in Osaka

by Emily | posted in: Kansai Japan | 0

Last updated on April 27th, 2024

Fukutaro Okonomiyaki is one of the best food in Osaka. This local favorite restaurant is famous for their okonomiyaki and negiyaki with their secret sauce.

Looking for where to eat the best food in Osaka? No doubt, okonomiyaki is one of the must-eat food in Osaka. Many restaurants in Osaka serve their recipe of okonomiyaki. It can be head-ache when looking for the best okonomiyaki to try on.

Fukutaro (福太郎) is an Okonomiyaki specialized restaurant in Osaka, especially in the Namba area. Together with Kiji and Mizuno, it ranked as the top three must-try okonomiyaki in Osaka. It is highly recommended among locals. The ranking in tabelog and even TripAdvisor is always at the top position.

Added, Fukutaro is listed in Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2017 Bib Gourmand. So don’t forget to include Fukutaro okonomiyaki into your food hunt.

Fukutaro Okonomiyaki Osaka:

Address: 2 Chome-3-17 Sennichimae, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0074, Japan
Operating hours: Weekday from 17:00 to 23:30 and weekend from 12:00 to 23:00
Getting there: 5 minutes’ walk from Namba station.

Fukutaro Okonomiyaki Osaka

We went to Fukutaro to taste on the best okonomiyaki during my 2 days in Osaka. We arrived in the early evening to avoid the crowd. However, the restaurant was already nearly packed. There were people waited outside of the restaurant. Without hesitation, we write down our name and party on the waiting list.

While waiting, we went for a short stroll at the 7-11 and drug shop nearby. Luckily, the wait wasn’t too long. It took us about 30 minutes to get seated inside.

Dining in Fukutaro

he atmosphere in the Fukutaro was great. It is a traditional Japanese restaurant with customers seated at the “U” bar counter. The best part of Fukutaro is their okonomiyaki is prepared in front of you. Okonomiyaki was cooked and then served it to you at the hot plate. It never gets cold but make sure to eat it while still fresh.

We had our best seat which close to the cooking hotplate. It was a fun time watching how the chef prepare their signature okonomiyaki for guests. Besides, the staffs were very friendly and polite.

Variety Choice of Okonomiyaki in Fukutaro

There are a variety choice of okonomiyaki with different topping in Fukutaro. Depending on the what kind of topping you order. The seafood and Wahyu beef were not cheap. But overall the price of okonomiyaki in Fukutaro was pretty reasonable.

English menu was provided while we were waiting outside. So we know what we want to order before get in. We ordered Negiyaki, Yakisoba and Okonomiyaki to try on different variety.

Our yakisoba came first. It served with some stir fry vegetables and meat together with the noodles. It smelled so good and looked absolutely amazing.

A simple but very delicious dish.

Having beer with okonomiyaki in Fukutaro

Besides, the yakisoba taste so perfect when pairing with cold Japanese beer. We highly recommended to order it to enjoy with the hot food.

The difference of Negiyaki and Okonomiyaki in Fukutaro

While the negiyaki was the best choice we made. It can be considered as the thinner variant of okonomiyaki. The negiyaki comes with a lot of green onion instead of traditional cabbage inside. It tastes good with the freshness of leek.

Lastly, the okonomiyaki was cooked to perfection. It was topped with mayonnaise and some special dark sauce. The taste was so flavorful and authentic.

Fukutaro Food Review

All in all, Fukutaro is highly recommended if you are looking for the Osaka best okonomiyaki. The whole dining experience was excellent. Added, price was reasonable for such best food in Osaka. We were very satisfied with the meal. We also try on another okonomiyaki restaurant during our visit to Osaka. And Fukutaro okonomiyaki is our favorite. For sure you will be delighted by their delicious okonomiyaki.

This restaurant is popular among locals and foreigners. So expected to wait especially peak hour. But you won’t regret for this excellent okonomiyaki in Osaka.

Lastly, this Fukutaro okonomiyaki food blog is part of our visit to Kansai Japan. If you are interested, read on our remaining Kyoto and Osaka food review.

Kyoto Food Blog:

Osaka Food Blog:

Blog Full

Where To Eat The Sea Urchin in Shakotan

My Food Hunt To Osyokujidokoro Naramuraya

What To Eat in Naramuraya

The Taste of Freshness Sea Urchin

Hokkaido Must Eat: Sea Urchin From Shakotan

How To Get To Sankaku Market Otaru

Takinami Shokudo

Menu of Takinami Shokudo

Seafood Donburi from Takinami Shokudo

Ajidokoro Takeda

What To Eat at Ajidokoro Takeda

Seafood Donburi from Ajidokoro Takeda

Otaru Food Review

Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo

How To Order in Garaku

The Taste on Garaku Soup Curry

Food Review on Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo

Fukutaro Okonomiyaki Osaka

Dining in Fukutaro

Fukutaro Food Review