I arrived at the restaurant around 13:00 on October 14, 2022. There were about 5 or 6 groups of customers before me and 2 groups after me, so the restaurant was almost full. I had been wanting to visit this restaurant for a long time, but it had been temporarily closed or closing early, so this was my fourth attempt to finally dine there. As the self-proclaimed President of the Kushiro Chicken Nanban Association, I really wanted to try the chicken nanban here! I ordered the Chicken Nanban Set and the Pork Steak (ginger flavor) Set. When other tables received their sets, I heard many people saying, "Wow, that's a lot!" My companion was hesitant and ended up ordering less rice later on. It took about 10 minutes for our food to arrive. I'm not a fan of watercress salad, but I managed to finish the 350g of rice easily. And the generous amount of tartar sauce was a big plus! It's so tangy and light that you can keep eating rice endlessly with it. The chicken was juicy and tender, and I loved it! The rice was a bit firm, but since it's all-you-can-eat, I didn't mind. The pumpkin was flavorful and crumbly, I could have used more than one piece! The spaghetti was cold and not quite like meat sauce or napolitan...? The pickles were excellent. The miso soup had just the right amount of saltiness, and one bowl of rice was just perfect with it. The pork steak was like chewing gum, and the ginger flavor didn't come through at all. Choosing the Chicken Nanban was definitely the right decision! For those with a small appetite or female customers, it's a good idea to order less rice in advance! Oh, I'm a woman too, but I ended up having two servings (regular size) with a refill. Next time, I'll have to go for the extra-large side dishes to balance out the rice! I hereby certify this restaurant as an excellent Kushiro Chicken Nanban establishment! (This is just my personal opinion and bias, haha)

Due to bad weather, my connecting flight from Haneda was canceled, so I had to stay one more night in Kushiro. The hotels are quite expensive at this time, so I stayed at the Toyoko Inn, which wasn't exactly cheap either. I debated between getting food from a convenience store or going out to eat a little, but I decided that interacting with locals and trying to speak a few words in their language is part of the essence of a business trip. I chose this restaurant near the hotel. It seemed like a friendly place, where you can have a decent meal without breaking the bank. It may not be the most ideal place for solo dining, but if you want to have a delicious dinner in Kushiro, I highly recommend this place.

I found this place while looking at reviews and it was right next to the hotel I was staying at! When I went there, there was a "closed" sign... I tried again later and it was "OPEN". I started with a draft beer, Sapporo Classic. It was so delicious, different from a can, it felt almost unfair how tasty it was. The appetizer of konbu seaweed was also very tasty. I ordered the Juicy Zangi set meal! It was crispy and juicy, different from what I've had before, and it went really well with the beer. The manager was friendly, and there were 3 staff members, a newbie and two veterans, working there. The service was a bit slow, but I didn't mind waiting and enjoyed the food slowly. It was a really reasonable and delicious place, I would definitely come back again.

Leaving the scorching heat of Tokyo behind, I traveled to Kushiro on business...hoping for a cooler climate, but it's still over 30 degrees Celsius, super hot! Waiting for the train and looking for lunch options around the station, everything seemed to be touristy and pricey, couldn't find a good place. Eventually, I found "Maruya Shokudo" near the city hall, a local spot. It was crowded at lunchtime, but I managed to get a table. I ordered the local Hokkaido soul food, "Juicy Zangi," as a set meal. Despite being a lunch menu, the options were plentiful, seems like a place you could visit every day. Soon enough, the perfectly round Zangi (fried chicken) arrived. It's hard to describe if it's really juicy, but it tasted great with rice, delicious! The side vegetables were generous, which was perfect for someone like me who needs more veggies. Plus, at this price, with free rice refills, I would definitely gain weight if this place was near my office! In a time of high prices and many overpriced places due to tourism, it's great to find a local gem like this with good cost performance. Thank you for the meal! ☺

I found a dining place near my travel accommodation and decided to try it for the first time. The menu was extensive, with options for both fish and meat dishes at reasonable prices. Even at night, they offered set meals with a choice of main dish, served with rice and miso soup. Since I was in a coastal town, I decided to go for the fried cod with tartar sauce, and also added a croquette to my order. The crispy batter and tender cod were delicious, and the homemade tartar sauce was a nice touch. The portions were generous, and as a big eater, I left very satisfied. If this restaurant was near my home, I would definitely become a regular customer. I'm also curious about trying the pork steak, as Hokkaido is known for its pork dishes. Some regular customers were enjoying their meals with drinks, and it seemed like a great place to enjoy both food and drinks. The staff were friendly and provided excellent service.

I was stood up by the soup curry restaurant I was looking forward to for dinner, so I visited this place I had on hold. The menu consists of single dishes that come with a drink, similar to a set meal restaurant. Many people dine alone here. I ordered the fluffy tripe stew that caught my eye in a magazine, along with croquettes, assorted sashimi, and beer. The appetizer was cold tofu and some kind of cream salad, although I'm not sure what it was. The tripe stew was soy sauce-based with tender and melt-in-your-mouth tripe. I ordered croquettes, but the waiter mistakenly brought me a minced cutlet that the person next to me ordered. I accepted it graciously. It was interesting - large and square in shape with a crispy coating and juicy meat inside. At 250 yen, it was a steal. The sashimi included bonito, tuna, and flounder, all fresh and delicious. Since there were many office workers around, this place is suitable for a post-work dinner. The cost performance is also quite good. Thank you for the meal.

I entered the restaurant as soon as it opened at 17:00. I wanted to order a sashimi assortment, but I was told that it would be available only after the manager came in at 17:30, so I filled the time with appetizers and chilled tofu. At 17:30, the manager arrived. I immediately ordered the "Sashimi Assortment (¥900)" and "Oyster Vinegar (¥700)." The sashimi assortment included bonito, shark flounder, salmon, ikura, mackerel, and tuna, all of which were fresh and delicious. The oysters in vinegar were likely from Akkeshi, with a light and elegant flavor that paired perfectly with ponzu sauce. I was about to order the sake "Yoshinogawa," but the staff informed me that they had just received the 2022 freshly squeezed "Kita no Katsu" sake, which is a rare find. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it. The new sake, slightly cloudy and poured generously into a cup, had a smooth initial taste followed by a rich and intense flavor with an alcohol content of over 18.5%. It was a dangerously good sake. As a bonus, I also received a small cup of the local sake "Fukushi Freshly Squeezed" from Kushiro. This sake was fruity and refreshing, easier to drink than the freshly squeezed Kita no Katsu. Although the restaurant has a strong lunchtime vibe, it also transforms into a lively izakaya at night, making it a place where you can enjoy a decent meal and drinks.

On Saturday, the shops around Kushiro Station were closed, so I visited this place near the city hall a little after 11 am. When I entered, there was only one customer before me. I was shown the menu on a blackboard, but it seemed like I could also order from a regular menu. This time, I ordered the cod fry set. After a short wait, the food arrived. The salad was already plated, so it lacked that fresh crunch. The tartar sauce seemed homemade. It tasted delicious when combined with the lemon and the cod fry. The side dishes included two items, but the rice was a bit sticky and soft, probably because it had been kept warm for a long time. I prefer freshly cooked rice for lunch. The restaurant is relatively spacious, so you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed manner. Additionally, there are no partitions at the counter seats, but you can skip a seat to avoid crowding. The staff working in the kitchen were wearing chin masks.

Welcome.---------- May 2021 ----------Found at the Kushiro City Hall, a place called "Mukae?" run by two lovely ladies. The customer service is soothing, like a cafe. The dining area has a counter facing the kitchen, sofa seats by the window, and is quite spacious. It must be bustling during the day with the two ladies and their homemade dishes. They seem to have a selection to match that. The background music is full of Enka songs. The continuous operation is convenient. You can also have a daytime drink, and it's affordable. The "Hanasaki Crab Omelette" in the snack corner is quite interesting. You can have it as a side dish for an additional 150 yen with the set meal style. In these times, they even offer a second serving of side dishes for free. Although chicken and pork are mainly featured, there are plenty of variations to choose from. After much deliberation, I settled on the "Chicken Fillet with Ponzu Sauce Set Meal." The tender chicken thigh with skin, grated daikon, and ponzu sauce leaves a refreshing aftertaste. The meat sauce spaghetti is rich in flavor, and although the portion is generous, the food is delicious. They recommend getting seconds. The two side dishes I had were "Bean Sprout and Chikuwa, Fried Tofu and Komatsuna Salad" and miso soup with wheat gluten and wakame seaweed. The chef used to work in a high-class Japanese restaurant, so the quality is top-notch. My friends in Kushiro were surprised to see her switch to running a dining place, but it seems like she is doing a great job here.

Visit Date: February 22, 2021. Re-posting. For dinner on this day, I visited Maruya Shokudo with a companion. We arrived around 19:35. There were 4 groups of customers before us, 1 group after us, and 1 takeout customer. Our orders were: - Pork Steak Set Meal for 900 yen - Fluffy Chicken and Egg Simmered Set Meal for 750 yen - Octopus Kimchi as a side dish for 150 yen The dishes were served in about 15 minutes. Pork Steak Set Meal: You can choose between ginger sauce or grated garlic for the sauce. I chose grated garlic. The meat was tender. The sauce was served separately, which was a bit inconvenient. The rice was cooked just right. The miso soup tasted like it was made with dried fish broth. Fluffy Chicken and Egg Simmered Set Meal: I'm sorry, but it wasn't fluffy at all. There was plenty of meat. The seasoning was a bit salty. The portion of rice was very generous. Octopus Kimchi as a side dish: Very sour! It was the sourest octopus kimchi I've ever had. Overall, due to various reasons other than the food itself, I had to give a lower rating. Please understand. In general, the dishes were very generous, so I think the cost performance is good. Thank you for the meal.

After eating at a restaurant in the Prince Hotel, I came across this nearby shop and decided to check it out. It seemed to be a popular spot for solo salarymen, many of whom appeared to be regulars. Even though I wasn't very hungry, I looked at the menu and saw options like croquettes and minced cutlets listed as additional items. I ordered croquettes, minced cutlets, and cod fry along with a bottle of beer, and out of curiosity, I also ordered the beef tendon curry. However, the portions of the croquette, minced cutlet, and cod fry were surprisingly large. Wait, this doesn't look like the picture... Did I order the wrong thing? Uh-oh, I might have made a mistake. I don't think I can finish all of this. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the cod fry, croquette, and curry, but I couldn't eat any more. I asked the waitress if I could take the minced cutlet to go, and she quickly and cheerfully packed it up for me. This shop is cheap, delicious, and generous with their portions, and the owner is friendly, making it a welcoming place for solo diners.

On the second day of the railway journey, after overcoming the "Shiranuka Hell" where we were delayed for 2 hours and 34 minutes, we finally arrived in Kushiro. We will be staying in Kushiro for 2 hours and 48 minutes. Unlike Shiranuka, Kushiro has a significantly higher number of shops, so the waiting time doesn't feel burdensome at all, in fact, it feels like there's not enough time to explore everything. Kushiro is actually one of the two major cities in Hokkaido that chappytsum has not reviewed yet, the other being Kitami. So, we decided to visit "Maru-ya Shokudo" based on a recommendation from the magazine "HO". It became our memorable debut restaurant in Kushiro. Before visiting Maru-ya Shokudo, we stopped by the Washo Market in Kushiro with the intention of trying the Kattedon and writing a review. However, a staff member at a certain store in the market was aggressively promoting their Neboke (rooted Hokke) without observing social distancing. After enduring their relentless sales pitch for over 10 minutes, I got fed up and left the market without eating anything. I couldn't help but think, "Neboke my foot!" Returning to Maru-ya Shokudo, it seems that they mainly focus on lunch service, and their dinner service may not be as well-established. Many menu items were unavailable due to the absence of the chef. We ordered a small bottle of Sapporo beer for 450 yen, which was a familiar and comforting taste. We also tried their Thick Fried Tofu with a generous serving of green onions for 450 yen. The tofu was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, providing an interesting texture contrast, but the taste was average. Overall, it was not the best start for our debut in Kushiro, but the journey continues with a total riding time of 7 hours and 44 minutes, covering a distance of 379.3 kilometers, and a total fare of 10,330 yen.

It's Saturday, time for lunch. My partner recommended a set meal restaurant in Kushiro city, located in the office district on Kitadai Street. There is no parking available, so it might be a bit inconvenient to go by car. The interior of the restaurant is relatively spacious and clean. The owner is a woman, and all the staff are women as well. Now, let's take a look at the menu. They offer a wide range of dishes from a la carte to set meals. With set meals, you can have unlimited rice refills. The prices are reasonable, and they also serve alcohol, so it seems like a good place for izakaya-style dining in the evening. I ordered the pork steak set meal (900 yen) and my partner ordered the chicken nanban set meal with special tartar sauce (900 yen). The food was served in about 10 minutes. We were pleasantly surprised to receive two side dishes (miso-dressed daikon radish and chilled tofu) as a complimentary service, with the owner's message of "Don't let COVID defeat us!" It was a nice gesture. The amount of food was quite generous for a 900 yen set meal, with a variety of dishes served in small portions, a unique approach by the female owner. As for the taste, it was simply delicious. The pork, although not a high-end brand, was flavorful with the garlic sauce. It was a gentle and appetizing flavor that was easy to enjoy. This restaurant offers a kind of set meal that is not commonly found in Kushiro city. I'm glad to have discovered this place and will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal.

The staff's smiling customer service was excellent. The staff seemed to get along very well. The customers also seemed to be enjoying themselves. We received a complimentary small dish due to COVID-19. The taste was really good! The menchi was big and delicious. The beef curry had a very rich flavor. The prices were very reasonable too! Beautiful music like Misora Hibari's "Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni" was playing endlessly. It's these kinds of restaurants that leave a lasting impression. I was healed.

The pork loin cutlet set meal for 900 yen is satisfying considering the portion size of the cutlet and rice. Although the cutlet isn't extremely thick, it still fills you up. The lack of parking is inconvenient, and the interior of the restaurant tends to smell of oil, which is a downside.

The menu is diverse. There are Western-style dishes as well as traditional Japanese dishes like simmered and grilled fish. In the evening, they also offer izakaya-style dishes. It's nice to add 1-2 dishes to the set meal, have some drinks, get full, and go home early to sleep. The rice is delicious with a rich flavor that's not too salty, which I really liked.