kurandiy
(Recorded on August 18, 2023) Visited in late May 2023 on a weekday night. Arrived at Hakodate Airport late at night, so by the time I reached my accommodation near Hakodate Station, it was already past 8 p.m. Since I needed to start early the next morning, my dinner options were limited to izakaya-style places, and I ended up choosing salt ramen. However, in this area, many establishments close relatively early, and after researching, I found this restaurant had good reviews and seemed to stay open late. For detailed information with accompanying photos, search "Kimura's Memo"! ↓ http://kimura.li/memo/?p=41732
Location: The restaurant is located near Hakodate Station, across from the bus terminal, making it very convenient. It's just a 1-minute walk from the bus terminal and a 2-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station. There aren't many dining options along this road, so it's easy to spot.
Crowdedness and Interior: Despite being a weekday evening past 8 p.m., the restaurant was almost full upon arrival, but we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table. The interior is narrow, with a counter seating for 9 and three 2-person table seats, accommodating about 15 people. It got busier as the night went on, with business travelers and people coming for a late-night ramen after their first round of drinks.
Recommended Menu: While Hakodate is known for salt ramen, the restaurant also offers soy sauce and miso variations. They have additional options like ginger salt for salt ramen and spicy miso for miso ramen. Toppings include Hokkaido-style ingredients like butter and corn, as well as standard choices like chashu and green onions. They also serve rice dishes like fried rice and pork belly rice, along with gyoza. Plus, you can get an extra serving of noodles for just 100 yen.
Summary: I ordered the "Hakodate Salt Ramen (850 yen)" and the "Fried Rice (650 yen)" to complement it. The salt ramen had a rich, savory flavor with a strong saltiness and a hint of seafood umami, along with a noticeable oiliness. The thin, straight noodles were a vibrant yellow color with a slightly chewy texture that paired well with the flavorful soup. The fried rice was generously portioned and satisfying. While there are higher-rated ramen shops in the area, this restaurant is a solid choice for late-night salt ramen cravings due to its operating hours and location.