During the fishing trip to Akiaji, we ordered a variety of dishes and overall they were decent.

It's delicious, but they raised the prices.

I couldn't have the yakiniku I had planned for lunch, so I thought, why not have it for dinner! I found this yakiniku restaurant in Shari Town while passing by. When I arrived around 6:30 PM, two families were already enjoying their meal. The restaurant was lively and that's how a yakiniku restaurant should be! Each table had a smokeless roaster, making the surroundings clean and the atmosphere pleasant. The restaurant seemed to be run by a family. The friendly and lovely owner and maybe his son were serving the customers, while I could see a woman who seemed to be the wife in the kitchen. Now, what should I start with? Looking at the menu, there was a large portion set for about 2 to 3 people, which was more cost-effective than ordering individual items. Let's start with the salad and this large portion set! Cheers! Shortly after toasting, a beautifully arranged plate of meat arrived, with a decent bite-sized piece of each type of meat. The beef tongue was thinly sliced. I quickly seared it to enjoy it without overcooking. The skirt steak and marbled beef were a bit tough, but the offal items were delicious here. The original yakiniku sauce was a slightly sweet fruity base that went well with the meat. The salad was simple with lettuce, radish, 4 slices of cucumber, and a garnish of cherry tomatoes, but the dressing was delicious and a perfect palate cleanser between bites of yakiniku. It's like the ginger for sushi. I highly recommend ordering it together! This is the only yakiniku restaurant in Koshimizu Town. Koshimizu Fureai Center, the only hot spring in Koshimizu Town, is a 2-minute drive from here! Definitely a must-visit place as a set! Can't wait to come back again!

Located in a small town in the northeastern part of Hokkaido, facing the Sea of Okhotsk, is Koshibuki Town. The deep blue Sea of Okhotsk is fed by cold small tributaries. On the map, Abashiri is on the left and Shari/Utoro (towards Shiretoko) is on the right, with this town situated in between. The skyline against the deep blue sea and the light Hokkaido sky is clear and beautiful. Even on sunny days, Hokkaido, especially the eastern part, gets quite cold in the mornings and evenings. In October, despite the warm daytime weather, mornings and evenings in Okhotsk are very cold. Warm food or charcoal fire... Hmm, how about some grilled meat? As you drive along the coastal highway, about 10 minutes inland, you'll come across a small town. I spotted a grilled meat restaurant in the area where several shops are scattered around the town. As usual, I decided to try the grilled meat restaurant that caught my eye. The interior was clean, with a counter, table seating, and even a tatami area, bustling with a small but lively atmosphere. Looking at other tables, it seemed like they were using charcoal grills. The smoke was thick, and the smell was enticing. I ordered Sagari, beef tongue, and sirloin, as well as some other dishes. While waiting, I searched online and found out that this place had been featured on a popular TV show. The meat that arrived had a beautiful color. All of it was fresh meat, not frozen, with a vibrant color. It felt firm, and just by touching it with chopsticks, you could tell it was of high quality. I grilled it over charcoal and it was surprisingly delicious! It's not that a particular cut was better, but the red meat was fresh and flavorful. Whether seasoned with salt or a thick, sweet and savory sauce, it was delicious. The salad, with a dressing full of onions, was simple with thinly shredded radish and leafy vegetables. The radish was crisp and sweet, and the slightly spicy dressing complemented it well, making it delicious. What was interesting was the local specialty dessert called "Denpun Dango," made with starch from potatoes, a local specialty, and boiled sweet beans. It had a simple taste and appearance, just like its name suggests. The grilled surface was fragrant, and the inside had a chewy texture. As you chew, a gentle sweetness spreads in your mouth, giving a comforting taste. I didn't expect to find this traditional dessert at a grilled meat restaurant! I was tempted to take some home as a souvenir, but was advised that it might get a bit tough when it cools down, so I decided to enjoy it warm on the way back. It was indeed delicious, with a subtle sweetness. I shared the meal with two male friends, and the total bill was around 8000 yen, about 2600 yen per person. The meat quality was excellent, and the freshness of the hormone was noteworthy. (I didn't try it, but it was reportedly very delicious.) And the Denpun Dango... I was pleasantly surprised. If I have the chance to visit the area again for work or any other reason, I will definitely revisit this restaurant.

This restaurant was recommended on a local TV program in Hokkaido. I was a bit nervous about going to a restaurant in Koshimizu-cho since I don't often have the chance to eat there, but it turned out to be a great recommendation. The Kinaga Set for 2300 yen was delicious with juicy and tender beef sirloin, beef kalbi, and beef tongue. The Ishiyaki Bibimbap for 900 yen was also very tasty. The Kinaga Salad for 380 yen was a half-size with crispy daikon radish, boiled egg, and a slightly tangy dressing. The Maru Horumon for 490 yen was amazing, made from pork and marinated in a flavorful sauce. The presentation was unique, resembling a monster from "The Legend of Zelda." The taste was rich and juicy, best cooked slightly less crispy. The fruity sauce was refreshing. They even gave us gum as a small gift when we left, which was a nice touch. I highly recommend this restaurant and would love to go back again.

When I visited Hokkaido, I stopped by a yakiniku restaurant. It was located near Shiretoko Shari Station, about a 20-minute drive from there, facing a street that seemed to be the main street in a town called Koshimizu. I called a few times as I got lost in my car, and maybe because of that, the elderly couple running the restaurant asked, "Where are you from?" They mentioned that people from Tokyo who had seen their restaurant on Tabelog had visited recently. The meat served at this restaurant was different from Tokyo, as there was no pre-seasoned meat. When I asked about it, they explained that some people prefer to eat with sauce while others prefer salt and pepper, so they leave it up to the customer. In typical yakiniku restaurants, the meat is seasoned with sauce and then more sauce is added after grilling, right? I found it very strange, so I was happy to find a restaurant that didn't season the meat. Now, about the meat... When taking our order, did they accidentally make enough for two people? The portion was so large. I was worried it would be expensive, but when I asked, they said, "This is our serving for one person." What a deal! All the meat was tender and had been carefully prepared, and the sauce was homemade. The salt and pepper were also perfect! Everything was delicious. The way they cut the meat made everything taste amazing, as if they used to be a butcher. My husband and I ate to our hearts' content and it only cost us 3150 yen. Isn't that cheap? In Tokyo, it would easily cost over 10,000 yen. I wish there were more wonderful restaurants like this in Tokyo... The restaurant is run by a very friendly couple and a part-time worker in Koshimizu. If you ever visit Koshimizu, be sure to stop by this place!