After eating soba at "Soba and Cuisine Seguchi" in Minamihiranishi, I felt like having some izakaya dishes since I couldn't have them before the soba. So, I decided to move to a different place since I had bought a Donichika ticket. The transfer was a bit of a hassle, but I ended up in Asao. It brought back memories as I used to commute from here by bus every morning for 10 years. It was Saturday at 2 pm. There were about 6 lively groups of customers, 2 of them, and 1 solo diner. There were 5 more customers after me. I was seated at a counter seat separated by acrylic panels facing the wall. I usually go for beer, but the cheap price caught my interest, so I tried the Anbe Lemon Sour for 218 yen. It was extremely sour and sweet?! The sourness of the lemon was overwhelming!! I love sour lemons, so I kind of liked it and even had a refill. The otoshi (table charge) was 361 yen, a lightly flavored simmered dish of chicken, daikon, and carrots served cold. The flavor had soaked in nicely being served cold, and I liked that too. I ordered two skewers for 186 yen, with a crispy outer and a soft texture inside. I wished it had a bit more crunchiness. I asked for one skewer, but two came, which was a mystery. The Nagoya Cochin Tsukune for 218 yen was cute, with three dumpling-shaped tsukune with a sweet and savory sauce. As I wrote this, I realized, other than Nagoya Cochin, what were the other ingredients? The squid skewer for 284 yen had the same sweet and savory sauce as the tsukune. It was generously topped with mayonnaise and shichimi spice on the table. It was a perfect amount for one person to enjoy with a drink. I read "Unmei no Hito" by Toyoko Yamazaki while sipping my drink. I realized that women's groups can get quite noisy and cause a lot of noise when they get excited, even in an izakaya setting. It's okay since it's an izakaya, but there's a limit to it, and I should be more mindful. I spent about an hour there and paid 1,675 yen. It was a rare solo daytime drinking session. I felt satisfied and headed home.

【Completely smoke-free】A popular izakaya chain originating from Osaka, Anbe'e, known for its Nikudofu and Lemon Sour, opened a new store in December 2020 in Asahi, a bustling district in Kita-ku, Sapporo. This restaurant does not charge seating fees or provide appetizers. It is located in the heart of the Asahi area, a lively drinking and entertainment district following the northern part of Sapporo. You can find the restaurant near the Gossaro intersection in the central Asahi area, about 80 meters from the intersection towards JR Shin-Kotoni Station. It is a 2-3 minute walk from Exit 3 of the Nanboku Line Asahi Station. On November 3, 2022, at 4:30 pm, I visited the restaurant for the first time. It was a day for riding the Sapporo Municipal Subway and streetcars for just over 500 yen, a dream scenario for someone like me without a car. Initially planning to hop on and off the streetcars around the Central Library area, enjoying various cafes and dishes like fried rice, omelets, and Napolitan, I ended up at this restaurant lured by the half-price Highball offer until 6 pm. Despite the early hour of 4 pm, there were already several groups of customers inside, all looking cheerful. After confirming with the staff girl that it was okay to drink on a holiday, I ordered a half-price Highball for 149 yen + tax, two portions of Doteyaki for 169 yen + tax each, a Black Miso Oden for 499 yen + tax, and a Miso Motsuni for 399 yen + tax. There were other tempting menu items as well. The Highball arrived promptly, tasting quite watery and light, but considering the price of around 160 yen, it was understandable that it lacked a strong flavor. The Doteyaki turned out to be beef tendons, which I didn't even notice while eating - I thought it was a different kind of meat. The meat was lacking in flavor and tasted somewhat greasy. Surprisingly, the same meat was also found in the Nikudofu and Miso Motsuni dishes, showcasing its versatility. The highlight of the meal was the simmered egg, which was quite delicious. It had a nice runny yolk, which was very satisfying. The leeks were also a good addition to the dish. I was so satisfied with the meal that I resisted ordering more and decided to head home. From the moment I entered the restaurant until I left, the service was consistently good, and the atmosphere was enjoyable, with other customers also seeming to have a good time.

I went to a restaurant called "Choi Sugi" recently, where you can drink from lunchtime. I made a reservation using points on Tabelog and it was my second group to arrive. The staff seemed a bit overwhelmed because there weren't many of them, but surprisingly the food was delicious and the drinks went down smoothly. I also got a free drink by registering on LINE. I recommend going there for lunch. Thank you for the meal.

[Second visit in March 2022] I visited this restaurant at night before, but this time I also had lunch there. I had the mackerel set meal with a drink, and I was surprised by how cheap the bento boxes were. The food seemed to be pre-made, but considering the low prices, it seems like a good option for people living or working nearby. I highly recommend it for those who prioritize cost performance. Thank you for the meal! 🍱

I only have a photo of the recommended nikudofu from my first visit, but I enjoyed a lot of food and drinks. The nikudofu comes in two types: a lightly flavored white one made with beef belly meat, and a sweet and rich black one made with beef tendons, with a boiled egg available for an additional 100 yen. We also tried doteyaki and sashimi, which were decent in taste but had great value for the price. I was able to drink as my companion drove. Thank you for the meal.

Welcome.---------- January 2021 ----------Located in Asao area of Kita-ku, just a short walk from Asao Station on the ground train. When you come out of exit 2 and face forward, you'll find it next to a curry restaurant. It's a lively and energetic place run by a group of spirited men around 3 pm. The seating includes counter, tables, and a raised seating area, quite spacious. There were some customers having a mom's meeting, so it's a non-smoking establishment with a smoking area near the restroom. The prices are cheap at this popular pub called "Yasue Remosawa." The recommended seasonal menu item was "Tachipon," a limited-time dish called "Shirako Ponzu" (although the pronunciation is slightly different). It had a juicy texture with a light vinegar taste. The "Momo Skewer" was made from Brazilian chicken. The "Yagen Nankotsu" had a small portion size and a crunchy texture, but it was not too heavy. The "Niku Mori 3 kinds Half" included Sagari, chicken sashimi, and pork liver. The pork liver was a bit overcooked and didn't melt in the mouth. The "Niku Tofu" was recommended, but I was in the mood for skewers, so I wasn't feeling it, although it seemed to be delicious. I came here based on Zaby-jii's review of another affiliated restaurant, and it seems that they excel in seafood dishes. I had high hopes for the "Momo Skewer," but it didn't quite meet my expectations. The drink bill came to around 3,000 yen, but it was only a little over 2,200 yen for two people. Next time, I'll have to come for lunch and try the main dishes with some drinks.

You can drink boldly from 12 o'clock, and it's super cheap. There is no table charge or cover charge. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is bright, and the staff are energetic and leave a good impression. I recommend the meat tofu in white for 399 yen. It's delicious with the broth soaked in, and the grated yam is also good. It's a decent portion, so the cost performance of the food is also good. A beer mug is 399 yen, and a lemon sour is 199 yen. There are also special coupons available for LINE registration. They also serve lunch, and it's close to the station, so if it's in the neighborhood, I would definitely visit often. There are many places I want to visit around Asao Station. It's a versatile, bright restaurant with good cost performance, whether you're alone or in a group, for lunch or dinner. Thank you for the meal. I would like to visit again if I have the chance!

In the Asao area, right by the subway exit 3, there is a popular local bar that opens every day at 12 o'clock. You can enjoy drinking during the day without any hesitation. The simple and clean interior of the bar, along with the friendly staff, create a pleasant atmosphere. There is no table charge, and both the food and drinks are affordable, allowing you to create your own cheap drinking experience. They offer a variety of lemon sours, with the "Cheap Lemon Sour" priced at 199 yen. For snacks, they have "Niku Dofu" available in white and black varieties, both priced the same. The black one uses beef tendon meat seasoned with soy sauce and Haccho Miso, while the white one features pork belly meat and silky tofu in a rich bonito broth with grated yam as an accent. Despite the location or season, there were no other customers during my visit, so I was able to leisurely enjoy my drink from noon onwards. Thank you for the meal.

On a Sunday afternoon, I was wandering around the area near "Asao" and around 2 pm, I came across a promising open restaurant with a sign that said, "We do not charge a seating fee or table charge at our restaurant." Intrigued by the sign, I decided to enter. The restaurant was called "Taishu Shokudo Yasue Asao Branch," which opened on December 1, 2020. It is operated by "Chimney Co., Ltd.," known for brands like "Kodawari Yama, Hana no Mai, Hokkaido Masumoe Fishing Port Direct Delivery Endo Suisan." They proudly declare, "Day drinking is fine!" They open daily at 12 pm, making it convenient for both lunch and daytime drinking. Across the street is "Emiju Shoten," a popular spot for daytime drinking, and the recently opened "Masaya" is also nearby, making it a great spot for affordable drinks. Upon entering, I was greeted warmly with a "Welcome!" and was directed to my preferred seat. I ordered a Highball for 299 yen, which was surprisingly cheap, though a bit heavy on the ice. I also ordered the "Niku Dofu (White)" for 399 yen, choosing the "White" broth over the "Red" broth. It was topped with plenty of shredded kombu, full of umami flavor and well-portioned for its price. It paired well with the Ponzu sauce. I also ordered the "Dote Yaki" for 149 yen, a skewer of tender beef sinew simmered in a rich miso sauce, which was delicious. Lastly, I tried the "Konnyaku Skewer" for 99 yen each, also cooked in miso, and I could easily eat 10 skewers by myself. The total bill came to 2,027 yen, but with a coupon, I received a 20% discount. A recommended spot for casual daytime drinking and light bites! Thank you for the meal. *Note: The restaurant is completely non-smoking, but they have a smoking room next to the restroom.

I rushed into the restaurant for lunch with no time to spare. I was planning to have the mackerel miso set meal, but the staff recommended the meat and tofu set meal for 699 yen. When I tried the miso soup, the first thing I noticed was that it was bland. Uh oh, this might be a problem. Then I tried the meat and tofu dish, and it was also bland. Not satisfying as a main dish! Finally, I realized that it's a Kansai-style dish! It's a beef belly and tofu stew, but with a very light flavor. So, I ended up adding soy sauce to both the miso soup and the dish. However, the dish had plenty of shredded kelp on top, which was quite salty. Maybe I should have mixed it with the tofu? Oh well, I ended up having cucumber slices, white fish fry, and rice. I noticed on the menu an interesting dish called "Cheap Curry" (beef tendon curry) for 599 yen and grilled cow's tongue for 149 yen. I'll try those next time!

Black meat tofu 399, white meat tofu 399, fried horse mackerel 299, liver sashimi style 459, lemon sour 199 x 2 Total 2149