kurandiy
(Recorded on 29th November 2022) Visited during the late October weekday dinner time. When visiting Hokkaido, I often opt for more affordable conveyor belt sushi for seafood, but this time I decided to try a traditional sushi restaurant in the Asahikawa Station area. The highly rated upscale restaurants were a bit out of my budget, so I chose this restaurant with around ¥10,000 per person budget.
- Where is the restaurant located?
The restaurant is about a 7-minute walk from Asahikawa Station. Walking north on Showa Street that runs north-south through the area, turn left at the intersection with a liquor store called "3-jo 6-chome" and it will be the 4th building on the left. The area is known for its nightlife spots, so the restaurant doesn't have the traditional sushi restaurant vibe, which might make first-time visitors hesitant.
- How crowded was it and what was the atmosphere like inside?
I made a reservation in advance for fear of not getting a table during dinner time on a weekday at 7 pm. The day before, I made a reservation online and there was only one table seat left at that time. Even on weekdays, it seems common for the restaurant to be fully booked with reservations, so booking in advance is essential. Upon arrival, there was a sign at the entrance saying "Fully booked with reservations today," and inside, the restaurant had a clean and bright interior with about 10 counter seats and 3 tables for 6 people each at the back. I had no choice but to sit at a table this time, but the seating was a bit tight with the tables placed back to back. For a livelier experience, I recommend sitting at the counter where you can watch the sushi being prepared.
- What are the recommended menu items?
The restaurant offers the option to order a la carte, but they also have set courses of 12, 14, or 16 pieces selected from the daily recommendations. I opted for the "14-piece course (¥7,700)" this time. There is also a wide selection of a la carte sushi, ranging from ¥220 to ¥1,200 per piece. Premium items like bluefin tuna, salmon roe, and snow crab cost around ¥600 per piece. The drink menu includes beer, shochu, wine, and a variety of sake. Sake options include local Hokkaido sake as well as sake from different regions in Japan, priced at around ¥1,000 per 180ml.
- Summary
I ordered the "14-piece chef's choice set (¥7,700)" and added 3 pieces of a la carte sushi, along with sake and beer, totaling around ¥18,000. While it may seem a bit pricey at around ¥10,000 per person, the distinct flavors of each seafood item stood out more than the sashimi I usually have. The carefully selected ingredients from different regions and parts of the fish showcased the unique flavors. The visual presentation was also enjoyable. The set course included Hokkaido salmon roe, sea urchin, medium fatty tuna, and spot prawn, making it a good value for money. Whether enjoying a quiet meal alone at the counter or having a lively group dinner at a table, this restaurant offers a wide range of options to enjoy delicious sushi. Since fish flavors vary with the seasons, I would definitely order the chef's choice set and add a few a la carte items on my next visit. For more details, please check the blog link below: http://kimura.li/memo/?p=35662