Hokkaido Wandering Journey 86 - I enjoyed a morning bath at the Chubetsu Sanatorium Hot Spring Inn in Betsukai Town. Afterwards, I went to a restaurant I had planned to visit, but it was unexpectedly closed for the Bon holiday. Another restaurant I wanted to try was also closed for the holiday. Feeling a bit disappointed, I continued my journey. Betsukai Town is known for its jumbo-sized gourmet dishes like the Jumbo Scallop Burger and large Pork Chops. I decided to try the Chicken Cutlet Set Meal for ¥1200. It was a generous portion, although I was surprised to find out it had increased in price from ¥1000 a few days ago. The Chicken Cutlet was served with Bulldog Medium Sauce. The Pork Chop ordered by the person next to me was also impressively large.

Before 13:00, it's extremely crowded. The interior of the restaurant is small so there may be a wait. However, I tried the chicken here after a long time, and it's still delicious! This time, I tried the chicken chop for the first time, and it was not only generous in portion but also had a rich yet light demiglace sauce, crispy young chicken skin, and juicy and tender meat that matched perfectly - it was so delicious!! Strangely, the more I ate, the more I felt hungry (lol). Listening to other customers' orders, it seemed like the most popular choices were the young chicken cutlet set meal or the cutlet curry. Next time, I'll try the cutlet curry!

The pork cutlet bowl (katsudon) here is the best I've ever had. The meat is thick, lean, and the flavor is rich, making it perfect with rice. I like to sprinkle a bit of pepper on it when I eat. I can only have it when I come here for work trips, so I feel really lucky to have the chance this time. Besides the katsudon, they also serve delicious pork chops, omurice, and spaghetti.

On this day, I had the day off from work but I met up with a colleague from Nakashibetsu to have lunch at Hamanasu. It was my first time there so I ordered the popular Chicken Cutlet Set Meal (large size) for 1200 yen. The restaurant was almost full and the staff seemed busy. The food arrived in about 10 minutes. The set meal came with two large chicken cutlets (my colleague wondered if it was because he ordered the large size). I started eating and found the cutlets to be crispy and delicious. The cutlets themselves were seasoned with salt, so it's better to go easy on the sauce. The set meal also came with unlimited rice and miso soup refills. I had another helping of rice and finished the cutlets, feeling satisfied and full.笑

In the eastern region of Hokkaido, there is a restaurant with great cost performance. It has a traditional atmosphere but also an open kitchen where you can watch the staff work together harmoniously. I recommend adding the demi-glace sauce to the young chicken cutlet set meal.

This area has a somewhat famous restaurant. The entrance looks like a small set meal restaurant, but it seems to have tatami rooms in the back, and the inside is quite spacious. It seems to only be open from 11:00 to 15:00, so I visited around 11:00 on a weekday, but there were many customers already, showing its popularity. The menu includes set meals such as pork chops and young chicken cutlets, as well as ramen, pasta, curry, and more. The woman next to me was eating a young chicken cutlet set meal, which seemed quite filling! I was intrigued by the "small portion" of the pork chop (450g)! 450g as a small portion is mind-boggling! The price for the set meal is only 1100 yen, quite affordable. I almost decided on the pork chop set meal, but I also felt like having ramen, and noticed that if you skip the rice and miso soup, you get a 200 yen discount. So, I ordered: - Pork chop "small portion" (no rice, no miso soup) for 900 yen - Miso ramen for 650 yen After a while, a hot plate arrived with about 2cm thick pork meat. Sautéed pork loin with bacon, cheese, and plenty of special demi-glace sauce. The pork meat coated in the sauce was juicy and delicious! The miso ramen had a simple soup and the noodles were a bit soft for my liking. There was also a menu item called NO.4 which caught my attention, but it takes 40 minutes to prepare, so I would like to try it if I have the chance. Thank you for the meal! (＾～＾)

I'm repeating myself. When it comes to lunch in Betsukai, it's Hamanasu. The standout feature here is definitely the portion size. Depending on the menu, ordering a regular size can be overwhelming. The regular size here is not regular at all, it's like a mega size at other restaurants. The most popular dish is the young chicken fried set meal. Regular customers affectionately call it "Waka". I love Waka too, but this time I went with another favorite, the cutlet meat. It sizzles on the hot iron plate, with the huge cutlet steaming. Tender cutlet and rich meat sauce. This is true Eastern Hokkaido gourmet, hot and delicious. I will definitely be coming back many times.

Dinner tonight was a small portion of crispy and juicy young chicken cutlet set meal (200g), just the right amount for me (lol).

I ordered the small portion of fried chicken set meal with demiglace sauce for 950 yen. It turned out to be the best value set meal.

The lunch portion of the 若鳥かつ (small size) for 750 yen is just right with a smaller portion.

Chicken sauté - average - 850 yen The chicken skin is crispy, the meat is juicy, and the seasoning is just right.

Pork chop mini set for 1100 yen. It's almost 420g, which is more than 250g. Even though it's labeled as mini, it's quite filling. Not suitable for lunch...

I always forget to order the chicken sauté, but next time I will definitely order the young chicken fried set meal with tartar sauce! ( ^o^) ===========

I forgot to order tartar sauce for my small portion of chicken karaage set meal, but the rice was served in a generous portion! LOL

The portion size is just right, maybe a little on the smaller side! Next time, I might try adding demi-glace or tartar sauce as an option.

The shop is very lively, but be careful with your order!

"Chicken cutlet set meal, small portion, 750 yen"