kurandiy
(Recorded on September 12, 2023) I visited this restaurant in early June on a holiday evening. On this day, I had been driving around the Sapporo area during the day and was scheduled to return to Haneda Airport in the evening. I couldn't find a suitable place to have dinner before heading back to the airport, so I ended up having a light dinner at the airport. New Chitose Airport has an area called "Hokkaido Ramen Dojo," which gathers popular ramen shops. However, I had already tried it before when I was in Chitose, and I wanted to relax with a beer in the airline lounge, so I decided to look for a shop that offers takeout. There were various shops selling bento boxes, but most of them offered pre-made items. This particular shop, however, was known for making dishes to order, albeit at a slightly higher price. For detailed information with photos and descriptions, you can search "Kimura's Memo" at http://kimura.li/memo/?p=42200.
- Where is the restaurant located?
This restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of New Chitose Airport. It is positioned between departure gates C and D, behind the JAL counter. The shop is conveniently located near the departure gates, allowing you to quickly purchase your meal and head to the boarding gate without spending too much time searching for a restaurant. The display in front of the shop showcases various rice bowls and bento boxes, making it hard to miss as you walk by.
- How crowded was it and what was the interior like?
I visited on a holiday at 6 pm, a time when the restaurant area was somewhat busy. However, since this is a takeout shop, there was only one group of customers waiting for their order. A few more customers came in sporadically, but it was not overly crowded. Some popular items like temari sushi and crab rice bowls were already sold out. The visually appealing dishes at reasonable prices might explain their popularity.
- What are the recommended menu items?
This shop specializes in takeout seafood rice bowls, allowing customers to choose from a variety of food samples displayed in front of the shop. Customers can also select from three sizes based on their appetite, ranging from mini (150g) to large (280g). The combinations mainly consist of popular ingredients like salmon roe, crab, sea urchin, scallops, and salmon. Prices vary depending on the ingredients used, offering customers flexibility based on their preferences and budget. After much deliberation, I decided to go with the "Crab and Salmon Roe Rice Bowl - Large (2380 yen)."
- Conclusion
Although the cost-effectiveness may not be the best, the scenario of enjoying a freshly made, slightly luxurious meal while sipping beer in the lounge made the purchase worthwhile. The "Crab and Salmon Roe Rice Bowl - Large" that I ordered featured soy-marinated salmon roe with a rich flavor that complemented the creamy texture of the medium-sized grains. The crab was not watery, had a balanced saltiness, and the meat was tender and flavorful. The 280g of vinegared rice was just right, not overly filling for a satisfying meal. Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience suitable for a relaxing evening at the airport lounge.