I visited a shop along the national highway in Hokuto City that had many flags flying outside and caught my attention. It had a cozy atmosphere run by an elderly couple, and they offered a variety of set meals. I tried the tempura bowl for 900 yen. The portion size was not as big as it looked.

I suddenly felt like eating a set meal and was looking for a restaurant when I found one nearby. The menu mainly consisted of fried dishes. The tonkatsu set meal for 680 yen was cheap. I ordered the recommended lunch set for 880 yen, which included grilled mackerel, mountain-style raw egg on rice, and skewered cutlets. At first, I thought they were separate dishes, but it turned out to be a set meal with all of them included. The set meal that was served exceeded my expectations. The portion size was sufficient, and each dish was carefully made. The grilled mackerel, in particular, was delicious with its fatty texture that went well with the rice. The chef also kindly struck up a conversation with me, a first-time customer. It was the type of set meal restaurant I love, with an L-shaped counter and raised seating areas. If I'm ever in the area again, I would love to go back and eat there. Thank you for the meal.

It's a fairly minor restaurant. However, when driving on Route 228 from Hakodate to Hokuto City, you'll notice this restaurant at a relatively prominent corner at an intersection. It was around 1:30 pm and I was quite hungry, so I trusted my gut feeling and decided to enter this restaurant without much prior information. The interior was empty, with only myself seated at a raised tatami mat table. There were an elderly gentleman and a younger man, possibly father and son. The menu was quite extensive and the prices were cheap. Maybe they specialize in pork cutlets? There was a reasonably priced daily lunch set for 880 yen, which included three dishes - pork cutlet, skewers, and sashimi. I thought I had to choose one main dish from the set, but all three dishes were included (surprising!). So, I ordered the lunch set. When it arrived, wow, all three dishes were indeed there. It looked quite luxurious. However, it took a while to be served (the owner apologized for the delay). The skewers were delicious, especially with the sauce. The sashimi was also good, fresher than expected. The pork cutlet was okay. In terms of taste, I would rate the skewers 4.5 stars, sashimi 4 stars, and pork cutlet 3 stars. Perhaps the pork cutlet is their specialty. With three main dishes served in one set for 880 yen, it's quite cost-effective. The taste was not bad at all. The building is old, and the toilet is a squat-type, which might be challenging for women. But for a local restaurant, it's understandable. I wish there were more nearby restaurants like this one, offering both meat and fish dishes with generous portions for everyday dining.

On Wednesday, I was planning to have lunch at a nearby yakiniku restaurant, but it seemed to be closed, so I decided to try Shizukawa nearby. There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant, with space for about 5 cars. Inside, there were many business-looking people sitting down. The owner was very friendly. Looking at the menu, the set meals were reasonably priced. The recommended set meal of the day was displayed on a board near the entrance, which included sashimi and was priced at 850 yen. I had just watched a TV feature on oysters in the morning, so I decided to order the oyster fry set meal without hesitation. It cost 760 yen (I think). The large plate came with shredded cabbage, pleated lettuce, and 6 pieces of oyster fry! The oysters were juicy and had a taste of the ocean. There was also plenty of rice in a bowl, miso soup (with fried tofu, seaweed, and green onions), pickles, and a separate dish with grated mustard. There was a pitcher of water and a teapot with tea on the table. Although coffee was available for an additional charge, I was full and satisfied with just tea. Thank you for the delicious meal. I would like to visit again when I crave Japanese food, and I might try the squid tempura set meal next time.

I come here for lunch about once every 2-3 months due to work. The restaurant is conveniently located with a parking lot in front and facing National Route 228, making it easy to access by car. Inside, there is a raised seating area on the right with two private rooms at the back. There is also a counter further back, but I have never used it. I sit in the raised seating area and look at the menu. The menu offers set meals and a la carte dishes. Since I have only been here for lunch, I have not tried the a la carte dishes. Normally, I go for the squid tempura set meal, but today I decided to try the tonkatsu set meal (680 yen). After a short wait, the tonkatsu set meal arrived. The tonkatsu had a satisfying crunch and was slightly juicy. I took a bite before remembering to take a photo, so the right edge of the tonkatsu is slightly missing in the picture. Please forgive the imperfection. While I also enjoy tender tonkatsu like Tonkatsu Tentei, I find the classic tonkatsu here hard to resist. I think the prices are reasonable too. This place is perfect for a casual meal in between work.

I had chicken cutlet set meal. The price was 780 yen. The portion size was decent. Thank you for the meal. Please keep up the good work. (laughs) *I can't write in detail because... Please judge by looking at the photos. Will it be deleted?