I had the pleasure of trying out Wakano Sushi Kitayorozushi and fried smelt and chicken wings in the neighboring city of Hokuto, next to gourmet Hakodate in the past! The prices were very reasonable, making it a great option for a budget-friendly sushi lunch in the Hakodate area!

On the first day of the Hakodate expedition, I went to Wakano Sushi in Kamiiso because I wanted to eat Hokkigai (surf clam). However, what was served in Kitaoteshi, Hokuto City turned out to be boiled Hokkigai, which was unexpected. Oh no. Time for revenge. Once again, I took the South Hokkaido Railway to Kamiiso. Before going, I requested a budget and specified that I wanted to eat raw Hokkigai. Excitedly, I got off at Kamiiso Station and headed to the restaurant. Upon arrival, I was greeted warmly by the owners. I sat at the counter and ordered a draft beer. I remembered that they only had bottled beer, but the owner's wife said, "I have prepared bottled beer for you." I was so happy that she remembered I liked bottled beer. While eating the edamame appetizer, we talked about the events of the first day in Hakodate. Today, we had a lot of common topics. - Hokkigai salad: The boiled Hokkigai served in a salad was surprisingly sweet and delicious. Eating it this way, it's clear that boiled Hokkigai has its own unique taste and should not be compared to raw Hokkigai. - Raw Hokkigai sashimi: This is what I wanted. Raw Hokkigai is the best for me. It was smaller than the black Hokkigai I had before, but the taste was great. - Tsubugai simmered: A large tsubugai that the owner kindly opened for us. It was delicious with a good texture. - Codfish: We both had codfish for breakfast at the market. The owner was kind enough to prepare it for us again. Codfish is truly a delicious fish with a strong presence. - Boiled hairy crab: The owner surprised us with a whole hairy crab, which we had discussed being the best type of crab. It was full of miso and very satisfying. - Butter-grilled Hokkigai: This dish is a must-try. The butter makes the boiled Hokkigai taste amazing. - Raw Hokkigai sushi: Finally, we had sushi. The raw Hokkigai sushi was made with love and care by the owners. It felt like the Hokkigai was shedding tears of joy. It was a lunch expedition filled with emotion and gratitude towards the owners' hospitality.

I am in Hakodate. I arrived at Hakodate Airport on the first flight in the morning, took a limousine to Hakodate Station, and then took the Donan Isaribi Railway, a third-sector railway, to Kamioiso Station. I will be in Hakodate for a while starting tomorrow, so I plan to thoroughly explore Hakodate cuisine. For my first meal on this Hakodate expedition, I decided to take a train trip to Hokuto City. After comparing sushi photos, I found a promising restaurant. When I called the restaurant, they informed me that they would be unavailable for takeout at the time I arrive in Kamioiso, so I was asked to come a little later. No problem at all. From Kamioiso Station, I walked towards the fishing port. It took about 15 minutes to arrive. Fishing boats were moored, and there were quite a few locals enjoying fishing on the breakwater. Seagulls were gathered, taking a break. It was a soothing sight. The smell of the sea added to the atmosphere. It's time to head to the restaurant. Here it is. Inside the restaurant, the chef and the hostess, who seemed to be of the same generation as me, were running the place. It seemed like a local hangout. It's not the kind of place you stumble upon, but rather a place where local customers come and go, with takeout being the main focus. After ordering some appetizers, I had dishes featuring Hokuto's specialty, the Hokuyakai shellfish. And finally, I ended with a sushi course centered around Hokuyakai. The fresh beer, edamame, boiled Hokuyakai (not sashimi), butter-grilled Hokuyakai, boiled Hokuyakai shellfish, assorted sashimi, Hokuyakai sushi, grilled squid legs, chicken wings, and excellent service made it a pleasant dining experience. I might try again during my stay to have the fresh Hokuyakai I wanted. (#5778)

At the Hokuto Station street, there is a long-established sushi restaurant called "Wakano Sushi." I really like the friendly atmosphere of the head chef and his wife. The cozy feel of the restaurant is great. When it comes to Hokkai, Hokkigai is a must-try, especially the Hokkigai lunch set which requires advance reservation. This means they source fresh Hokkigai for the reservation, ensuring you always get fresh and sweet Hokkigai. They also have regular sushi options, and a hidden menu of tempura and hot pot, but as it's run by a couple, they may not be available during busy times. To guarantee a taste, reservation is a must. I was able to make a reservation and the food was incredibly delicious! I will definitely go back again!

Located facing a one-lane city road, with a spacious parking lot "Aid 03" at the back! I had the special sushi set for ¥1,600. 1. Thick and delicious surf clam. No complaints. 2. Scallops were also good. Sweet, juicy, and creamy. 3. Sea urchin was just okay. 4. Not a fan of herring roe. 5. Shrimp was a good size and sweet. 6. Crab was standard. 7. Yellowtail was decent. 8. Salmon was average. 9. Tuna was also standard. For ¥1,600, it's a steal. Improve the sea urchin and add salmon roe or smelt roe, and it could become a top-notch restaurant.