In a dimly lit alley behind Sittate Sapporo in December 2022, there is a charming red lantern that leads to an old-fashioned izakaya on the 2nd floor of a vintage mixed-use building. At first glance, it may seem a bit challenging, but don't worry, once you enter, it's quite normal and reassuring. From 4 to 6 pm, they offer a limited-time "light drinking set" for 1480 yen, which includes 2 drinks, 2 daily dishes, and a draft beer. You can also order a single draft beer for 450 yen, which is quite affordable. I didn't have to wait long for the first dish, the classic izakaya favorite "Macapote Salad," which is quite filling. For the second dish, I had the "Fried Meat and Tofu in Broth," which was served hot and delicious with thick slices of sweet pork belly and flavorful tofu soaked in broth. This dish is usually priced at 780 yen on the menu, and the generous homemade-style dishes with a good amount of food were very satisfying. Thank you for the meal!

Today in February 2022, I came to town for some errands. I usually use the multi-story parking lot next to the buildings, which is quite reasonable. I noticed a restaurant where many office workers were entering during lunchtime, so I was curious. When I looked at the menu on the outside sign, I saw they had a limited special of sashimi yellowtail set, only 10 servings available, which was very appealing. The restaurant was crowded with office workers, and surprisingly, smoking was allowed, which is rare these days. The staff quickly showed me to a table and were very kind. I immediately ordered the yellowtail set. It arrived in less than 5 minutes. The amount of rice was surprisingly large, so I asked for half, but everyone around me seemed to have ordered extra-large portions. The yellowtail was delicious with a good amount of fat, and I was truly impressed. After finishing my meal and getting up from my seat, a woman told me they offer dessert for women, but I declined as I wasn't interested. In this day and age where smokers are not well-received, I felt that such restaurants are still necessary. The food was delicious and served quickly. I would recommend this restaurant to smokers.

I had given up on taking a lunch break and decided to use that time at night instead. Unexpectedly, I started to feel tempted by the idea of having lunch when a sudden break in my schedule arose. The cloudy sky hinted at the possibility of rain at any moment. As usual, I didn't plan where to eat and ended up wandering into a small alley off the main street near the station. Just when I thought there were no restaurants in sight, I saw a sign advertising lunch menus haphazardly placed. I climbed the quiet stairs of a building and found the restaurant. With little time to spare, I chose the "Grilled Pork Belly with Miso and Pork Sausage" from the three lunch options. Lunchtime was almost over, and there were no other customers in the restaurant. Classic Showa-era songs played in the background, creating a cozy atmosphere. The place had a homely and unpretentious vibe. I savored the charred pork belly and rice, as well as the pork sausage. It felt like having a barbecue at home. As I sipped on the self-serve coffee for dessert, I pondered on the warmth of a home-cooked meal...

I found this octopus in a photo and really wanted to visit this izakaya. It's a quaint izakaya tucked away on the second floor of a building, run by a warm and friendly couple. The octopus I was looking for was served with ponzu sauce, a refreshing taste that paired perfectly with drinks!

I visited this place for the first time at a workplace banquet. I was surprised to find out about this place! Their specialty is "Grilled Octopus", which was included in the course meal. It had a nice texture and flavor, with just the right amount of saltiness. The sashimi was average, but the sweet potato tempura and chicken hot pot were delicious, so I was satisfied. However, it might be difficult to rely solely on octopus for their menu. Although the restaurant is called "Hokkoku-ya", it gives off a Kyushu cuisine vibe, which could be a downside especially for tourists. The service was not bad, so it was a bit disappointing. Thank you for the meal.

Here is "Kitaguniya" shop. The location is right in between Sapporo Station and Odori Station, not in the trendy building called Sittate Sapporo that recently opened, but at the back of that building, down a quiet street. There is a small light from the window on the second floor of a certain old building. As you climb up the old stairs, you will see a bright red lantern at the entrance of the shop. When you open the door, a female employee greets you with a smile, saying "Welcome!" The inside of the shop has a nostalgic Showa retro atmosphere. The walls are filled with handwritten menus that seem to have been there for a long time, creating a special and unique space. Today, I am having a long-awaited party with my colleagues. When I mentioned the reservation name, everyone was already gathered. Let's drink! First, we cheers with a cold beer. After some appetizers, a sashimi platter is served. The scallops are sweet and the tuna is very fresh and delicious! The specialty, sizzling live octopus, is grilled on a hot plate until half rare, and enjoyed with a refreshing sprinkle of salt. Handmade tempura (fish cake) platter is surprisingly delicious with a fluffy texture. Then, the main dish of pork and vegetable hot pot is served. It is simmered slowly to create a flavorful soup from the vegetables. After that, we enjoy rice porridge and leave with a full stomach. The dessert is not served, which adds to the nostalgic atmosphere. Tonight, we sat at a unique table shaped like a "ロ" (ro), which allowed for easy conversation among the 9 of us. It was a fun and lively atmosphere. Next time, I might try the counter seats where regular customers seem to gather for a casual drink. I will definitely come back. Thank you for the meal.

- Pork curry, 700 yen The curry here is nothing particularly special, but it comes with a good amount and at 700 yen, it's a good deal! It also comes with two side dishes, which is a nice touch. Thank you for the meal!

Showa retro-style izakaya. Not many tourists, not crowded. Cozy hideaway.

Hokkaido ramen salad 590, Tempura assortment 780, Medium draft beer 450, Highball 400x2

This is a nostalgic old-fashioned shop that feels like it's for middle-aged men. The sashimi is fresh and delicious! And cheap too. The dried squid is only 500 yen. I will definitely come back!

It's a regular izakaya. The only unique feature is the warm and friendly service, so if you want to experience some human touch, it's a good choice.

This is a review of a restaurant where a group of young people went after being defeated by the all-you-can-eat carb buffet at Shushu last time. They avoided the all-you-can-eat option this time and chose a place located in a back alley, a bit hard to find. The place had a lot of older customers, with a popular vibe and a manager who used to work at a traditional Japanese restaurant. The staff seemed like they had experience working in a set meal restaurant. The set menu included 6 dishes for 3500 yen, with all-you-can-drink including Asahi beer. The dishes included: Okra and kelp salad, a famous dish of grilled octopus on a hot stone, a sashimi platter with 5 types of fish, a Fukuoka-style hot pot with Hokkaido pork, seasonal fried foods platter, and a refreshing buckwheat salad. Despite a last-minute cancellation, the group had a great time at the cozy restaurant, which seemed perfect for a 50-year-old man who is starting to prefer fish over meat.

I wanted to eat something that represents Hokkaido! At the request of my daughter, we came here. We arrived before 6 pm, so perhaps that's why it was not crowded on a Saturday night. Following the recommendation of the landlady, we ordered a sashimi platter, grilled hokke, grilled live octopus, shishamo, ramen salad, and squid shiokara! The sashimi was impressive with its fresh and chewy scallops. The hokke was thick and delicious with a nice amount of fat! I was surprised by the size of the shishamo, it was the real deal! Ramen salad is not a menu item you would find in Kansai. I was a bit hesitant to order it, but it was actually quite tasty, like a chilled Chinese noodle salad with mayonnaise dressing. It was a bit unfortunate that the interior of the restaurant was very cold, perhaps due to the lack of people.

A popular izakaya located a short walk from Sapporo Station South Exit, known for its specialty "Grilled Octopus on Hot Stone". They also offer dishes like Ramen Salad, Grilled Atka Mackerel, and Cheese-filled Mochi, allowing you to taste Hokkaido flavors. It closes at 11pm, which seems to be the average closing time for shops in this area. It would be more convenient if they stayed open a bit later.