I found an interesting restaurant through an online search and was excited to visit. The restaurant had a dedicated parking lot for 4 cars, and there were also shared parking spaces available. There were few customers around 1:30 pm. When I entered, a bell rang and a staff member came to assist me. They explained the system to me since it was my first time there. You pick up a plate, choose the dishes you like, they weigh it, and then you pay based on the weight (2 yen per gram). Rice and miso soup were served in unlimited portions for 150 yen, which is great for those who love to eat a lot of rice. There were about three different sizes of rice bowls available. Since it was not crowded, I took my time to look at the dishes available. Honestly, the selection was a bit limited. Near closing time, there was only horse mackerel fry and towards the end, there was sukiyaki with mostly shirataki noodles and a small amount of meat. I paid 562 yen for my meal, which was cheap but the food was just okay. The lunch was a bit lacking, but the horse mackerel fry saved the day. As I was leaving, I saw that the sukiyaki had been replenished and looked delicious with plenty of tofu and meat. The impression of the restaurant can change depending on the time of day. It was my first visit, so next time I will plan my strategy and go in prepared. I had a good time and I look forward to visiting again soon.

When I searched for a lunch spot in Otaru on Tabelog, they recommended this place. Since the nearest bus route is not operating on Saturdays, I had to walk quite a distance from Otaru Station under the scorching sun. There were many slopes and sunny spots along the way. I used Google Maps to find my way and finally arrived at the dining hall inside Otaru Civic Hall. The area is surrounded by the city hall, courthouse, library, fire station, etc. Due to the pandemic, many shops were closed, so I called in advance to confirm that this place was open. When I arrived, it was empty, which was reassuring. An employee quickly approached me and asked if it was my first time there, then explained the system to me. They use a system where you pay 620 yen for a one-time serving of various dishes. Although the variety of side dishes was limited, they were delicious! They offered five-grain rice and white rice, as well as a large serving option. I had already eaten two cakes before coming here, so I opted for a smaller portion of rice. I first selected the side dishes, then proceeded to pay. They asked if I wanted to add a rice set, which included rice and miso soup. The miso soup had freshly cut onions, which was a nice touch. They also had regular water, lemon water, and barley tea available. I chose the lemon water to replenish my salt intake after walking in the heat. It's nice to have these options in the summer. They also had daily specials among the side dishes. The dimly lit interior felt cool and clean, with staff regularly wiping down all tables despite the lack of customers. If I ever visit Otaru again, I would definitely come back to this place.

I visited the restaurant after the lunch rush. I wasn't sure what "pay-per-weight lunch" meant at first, but after hearing the explanation from the staff, I understood. It's interesting! I tried to fill my plate similar to the sample they had, and to my surprise, it only cost 562 yen?! So cheap (laughs). You can choose between mixed rice and white rice, which is nice. And even though you can't get seconds, they allow you to get a large portion. When they said that, I couldn't help but pile on more (laughs). It might have been a bit embarrassing, but as someone who loves mixed rice, I couldn't resist! The taste of the side dishes and rice was to my liking and very delicious. And you definitely won't leave hungry (laughs). I definitely want to visit again.

I finished work nearby and decided to try the daily special for lunch after a long time, but the system has changed! The dishes are lined up and priced at 2 yen per gram. The set includes rice and miso soup for 150 yen, and there are sample dishes available for about the price of a coin. It's like a buffet at a hotel breakfast, more similar to a buffet at a store like Aeon. The plates are divided into three sections or nine sections, each made of ceramic. I chose grilled hokke fish, cucumber and daikon pickles, shrimp, broccoli, pasta with tomato cheese beef stroganoff, and salad. I took these to the register, where the previously used empty plates were weighed, and then the dishes I selected were weighed as well. With rice and miso soup, the total came to 506 yen. After that, you can serve yourself as much rice and miso soup as you like. You can choose between white rice and takikomi gohan, and I chose the takikomi gohan with bamboo shoots and sakura shrimp. There are also rice bowl dishes available for seconds. It's quite an interesting system! You don't have to choose a lot of dishes, you can just pick your favorites. Even though it's a public cafeteria, it's a bit inconvenient because it's a little far from the station and you have to walk uphill. It's quiet and relaxed during lunchtime. There is a city hall nearby, which also has a cafeteria. I hope they continue to do well. Thank you for the meal!

The system at the Otaru Citizen Cafeteria has changed starting this season. The location is about a 5-minute drive from Otaru Station. Previously, they had a proper menu with items like one-coin lunches which I used to frequent, but since the system changed this season, I hadn't been using it. The new system is a semi-buffet style where any side dish costs 2 yen per gram. It's similar to the deli section at the Hakkōda store. My companion was interested, so we decided to give it a try. The system is simple - the cost is calculated based on the weight of the food on your plate, with rice and miso soup costing an additional 150 yen. The reason why I gave it a 5.0 for cost performance will be explained later. As soon as you enter, you see the plates lined up and the side dishes displayed. The lineup is reminiscent of the daily specials they used to have. I picked out some of my favorites and also tried some new ones. From the top row, I chose shrimp and egg, curry-flavored stir-fried vegetables, roast chicken (recommended!), Genghis Khan, grilled herring, and tomato short pasta. I'm not sure about the total cost as I paid with my companion, but for both of us, it was only 1,160 yen! That's 580 yen per person (including rice, miso soup, and tax). And here's where the Citizen Cafeteria shines. I was amazed by this service. For an additional 150 yen, you can choose the amount of rice and miso soup you want! It's completely self-service, so you can help yourself to as much as you like. I was delighted to see this. Although you can't get seconds, you can fill your bowl as much as you want. This service is so appreciated. The rice is delicious as it's from Kikuchi Shokai. Another great service is that not only water but barley tea and lemon water are also free! You can help yourself without having to ask the staff each time. It's really convenient. The dishes may not look appetizing in the photos, but they were all well-seasoned and delicious. The fried Atka mackerel and fried chicken near the register were tempting, but I resisted because I knew they would increase the cost. The weighing process is precise. They weigh the food on the same type of plate you used and subtract that weight. So, you can use as many plates as you like. (I regret being so stingy and only using one plate without understanding the system... I'm really cheap, haha.) Next time, I want to try putting a variety of my favorite foods on different plates. In any case, I highly recommend this cafeteria! If you prefer rice over side dishes, definitely give it a try!

Otaru City Citizens' Cafeteria Buffet Style, Selling Side Dishes by Weight in Grams.

Let's go have lunch alone. Where should I go? When it comes to having lunch in Otaru, let's go to this place where you can eat for a low price. I've been going to Otaru Shimin Shokudo recently. I still want to explore new places in Otaru, but I keep going there. Fast, cheap, delicious. It's convenient when a restaurant has all three. What's the daily special today? A lunch: Hoikoro Don (fried pork and onions over rice) for 500 yen. B lunch: Ebi Fry Teishoku (shrimp fry set) for 800 yen. Hmm... Hoikoro Don... I'm not a big fan, but since I'm here, I'll give it a try. I sat in the non-smoking section and ordered the A lunch. There is a smoking section here, so it's smoker-friendly, which is nice for smokers who have been feeling uncomfortable lately. I went to the showcase and chose some side dishes. There were some side dishes that looked like they could be a full meal, which was a bit different from usual. Among them, there was Hoikoro, and I couldn't help but laugh. I chose curry udon (leftover from the previous day?) and roast chicken salad (from the previous day...). It's fun to choose side dishes. I returned to my seat with the side dishes, and soon the Hoikoro Don arrived. Contrary to my expectations, the Hoikoro and rice were served separately in a curry plate! This is not just a Hoikoro Don set! I was impressed. I prefer to eat the side dishes and rice separately, so this kind of serving style is appreciated. The taste is still authentic, almost like a Chinese restaurant level. The vegetables are crunchy, and the amount of meat is just right. The seasoning is a bit strong, but it goes well with the rice. Oh, choosing the Hoikoro Don was a good decision. And all this for 500 yen including tax. Just one coin. Thank you for the meal.

On the first day of the three-day weekend, Saturday, I went to the Otaru Shokudo, a local cafeteria, after a long time. It must have been my 5th or 6th visit, and it's becoming one of my favorite places. For lunch that day, they had Meat Sauce Spaghetti and Chicken Curry for 500 yen (tax included) and Katsu Curry for 750 yen (tax included). Despite my desire for the Katsu Curry, I decided to go for the Chicken Curry that I could get for just one coin. You can choose two side dishes, and I picked the Ham and Spinach side dish along with another one. The Chicken Curry arrived promptly, just after I sat down. First, I tried the side dishes, which were seasoned just right. The spinach, being from a vegetable store, was delicious. Next, I tried the curry. It was quite authentic, unlike the watery and bland curry you often find at set meal restaurants. The chicken pieces were big and tender, easily falling apart. The rice portion was just right, giving a satisfying feeling of fullness. If you want extra rice, you can add 100 yen for a generous portion, which I recommend. Even with extra rice, it's only 600 yen, so it's quite affordable. The fact that you can use a card even for a 500 yen lunch is convenient. The availability of a parking lot in the city center is also a plus. I hope the Otaru Shokudo continues to thrive. The only downside is that the floor is always sticky, which is a bit of a negative point. The interior, with its stylish tables and showcase of side dishes, is pleasant, so if they could just clean the floor, it would make the experience even better.

This is a dining hall located in the Otaru Civic Hall. Since May 10, 2016, a greengrocer called Kikuchi Shouten, selected through a public proposal and review process, has been operating the dining hall instead of the previous one. The popular menu includes a daily special dish with two side dishes for 500 yen. Regular customers can choose their two favorite side dishes from the glass display case themselves. If you order the daily special menu, you can select two side dishes from several options in the case. I ordered the hamburger set today (800 yen + 100 yen for extra rice): I love hamburgers, and this one is made with 100% beef! The demiglace sauce is delicious, and the extra large portion of rice disappeared quickly. Overall, I thought the Otaru Civic Dining Hall was a very good restaurant.

During the consecutive holidays, Otaru is full of traffic jams everywhere and it's so frustrating. So, I decided to go to a place away from the crowded city center that I wanted to try out. I chose the Otaru City Cafeteria located inside the Otaru Civic Hall. Today, there was a comedy live show at the Civic Hall, so the cafeteria was surprisingly empty for lunchtime. I chose the daily special A lunch, which was curry rice! It came with two side dishes of your choice for 500 yen. The curry rice was not exceptionally delicious, but it was light and good. For a one-coin price, it was a satisfying taste and portion. The side dishes I picked from the shelf were stir-fried pork and cabbage and a mini pasta with paprika. I was full for only 500 yen. I think it's a good value for money.

I wanted to try this restaurant. I thought I should come before the city hall people arrive! But there weren't many customers flowing in, so the inside of the restaurant was quiet. The daily special A set meal with mackerel was delicious. The daily special doesn't come with miso soup. It comes with two side dishes. The mackerel set meal comes with miso soup. The mackerel was also good! The sweet and sour sauce for the fried chicken was delicious too! I have high expectations for the other dishes as well! I would like to go again.

Near Otaru City Hall, there is the Otaru City Civic Center, and on the basement 1st floor, there is the Otaru City Civic Cafeteria. This was my fourth time using it, and this time I tried the One Coin Lunch for the first time. They have a daily changing menu with A lunch priced at 500 yen, and B and C lunches priced differently depending on the day. Each lunch comes with two small side dishes, which adds to the value. You can also add extra side dishes for 50 yen each. Today's A lunch was Champon Udon. I actually wanted to have curry, but it wasn't available on the menu for today. The interior of the restaurant has a stylish atmosphere, with smoking and non-smoking sections. There is parking space for about four cars, and the restroom is located outside the restaurant. I ordered the Champon Udon and it arrived in about 3 minutes, surprising me. I chose the side dishes of fried horse mackerel and stick chicken. The Champon Udon had just the right amount of saltiness and flavor. It was easy to eat without the typical strong smell of Champon. The generous amount of ingredients, especially the fish cake, clams, and pork, made it quite satisfying. The noodles were a bit firm but not too chewy, making it easy to eat. For 500 yen, this was a great deal, and the fact that it's tax-inclusive is also a plus. They have various classic menu items, with recommendations like the hamburger and chicken dishes. Overall, it's a good restaurant for regular dining.

In the evening of February 2017, I watched a TV show about "Sapporo's delicious bakeries chosen by bakers", and the shop owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ono was ranked number one. They have croissants with a strong eschallot flavor which are great for those who love them, but I personally love their mentaiko France bread! Even though the shop's name was not mentioned, the exterior photo shown made it easy for anyone to recognize the place. As a fan, I wish they would blur out some parts of the photo (laughs). I also visited the basement cafeteria of the Otaru Civic Hall. It used to be a restaurant operated by "New Sanshokai" a long time ago, but now it is run by a greengrocer. The interior is still the same as before, very spacious. The kitchen is also large, but there were only two people working there, seeming a bit overwhelmed by the size. I thought about getting the one-coin lunch deal, but on the day I went, the options were curry rice bowl or fried horse mackerel set meal, neither of which appealed to me, so I chose something else. I ordered the Triple Grill (1,200 yen), which was a bit over my budget, but there was nothing else I wanted to eat. It was served sizzling in an iron pot. The Triple Grill included chicken, hamburger steak, and grilled shrimp. The side vegetables were a lineup that you would see in a family restaurant. Am I the only one who thinks that just having corn on top makes it look cheap?! The chicken was tender, but it didn't feel like the number one popular dish here. The hamburger steak seemed to be made of a mix of beef and pork mince. It was topped with demi-glace sauce, but the flavor was different from homemade. The shrimp still had the shell on, but it had a cut on the back to make it easy to peel. However, you were supposed to eat it with the prepared tartar sauce, which had too much vinegar and overpowered the shrimp. It just didn't go well with the grilled dishes. After eating the Triple Grill, I felt like it was at the level of a family restaurant. I didn't feel satisfied enough for the price I paid. Maybe if I had tried the 500 yen lunch, I would have been more satisfied...

This time, I visited the restaurant that caught my attention in the Hokkaido information magazine. It is located in the Otaru Civic Hall. The entrance may be a bit hard to find. There is parking space for about 4 cars at the entrance of the shop. There are 3 lunch sets available, and this time I ordered the C set for 730 yen. You can choose between udon (hot or cold) with two side dishes for either A or B. There were quite a few side dish options. I thought the udon in the set would be ordinary, but the broth was delicious with yuzu flavor, and the noodles were soft but very tasty. The fried chicken curry was average. The staff were very friendly and the interior of the restaurant was clean and tidy!

Welcome! Today I visited the Otaru City Cafeteria, which opened in May. It is located on the basement floor of the Civic Center. The entrance is a bit hard to find as it is on the inside of a curve. The cafeteria has parking for about 4 cars, but they also use the Civic Center parking lot. I arrived after 2 pm, so the daily 500 yen lunch special was sold out. Instead, I ordered the roast chicken set meal. It was served in about 7 minutes, perfect for a quick work break. When the meal arrived, I was surprised at the quality for only 670 yen. The chicken was juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The demi sauce was also delicious. I was very satisfied with the meal at such a great price. I can't wait to try the hamburger next time. Thank you for the meal!

A new dining hall has opened at the Otaru City Hall in Otaru Park. The restaurant used to be a soba noodle shop, but now it has a fresh new look. The restaurant is operated by Yamakami Kikuchi Shoten, a vegetable store. If you're wondering, it's located on the second floor of the First Building in front of Otaru Station. Yes, it's the shop at the entrance of the bookstore. Otaru City Hall is a nostalgic hall that exudes a sense of nostalgia, a valuable place for Otaru citizens. The dining hall, or rather the restaurant, has a nostalgic atmosphere. The area around Otaru Park is sloping, so if the entrance is at the bottom of the slope, it becomes the "basement," but it's actually on the ground level. The capacity to fill the stomachs of visitors to the City Hall is impressive. The atmosphere is also nostalgic. It's difficult to create this kind of atmosphere in modern restaurants. It's spacious, spacious, and... oh, it's so spacious. The kitchen is also too spacious. It's as spacious as the dining hall at a government office or catering service. You can catch a glimpse of the former prosperity of Otaru here. The restaurant is open from 10:30 to 18:30, with the last order time unknown. The last order is at 6:00 pm. I arrived a little after 6:00 pm, but they said they could still serve the daily special. Today's daily special is either "okonomiyaki" or "cold udon." You can choose two out of six small side dishes, such as "marinated purple cabbage from Kutchan" and "boiled spinach from Otaru." As expected of a vegetable store. The daily special for today is a set with okonomiyaki as the main dish. It's a double dose of carbohydrates, but it's a proper meal with side dishes. Two small okonomiyaki are served. They were delicious as they were freshly cooked. The portion size is just right. After eating the rice and okonomiyaki, when your mouth feels a bit dry, you can balance it out with the spinach and purple cabbage side dishes. It's a good balance. Oh, and it's only 500 yen for this set. There are various facilities nearby, such as Otaru City Hall, the courthouse, the civic gymnasium, and the library. There aren't many menu options, but it will be convenient. After all, the name of the restaurant is "Otaru City Hall Dining Hall." I hope it will be loved. Thank you for the meal.

Today, after staying overnight, I continued with a study group... When it was over, a refrain of "I'm hungry..." was echoing in my head. It was already past 10:30, and I was thinking about where to go and what to eat, but due to lack of sleep and hunger, my mind was completely blank. I remembered that Metabo-san had reviewed a place called "Otaru Shimin Shokudo," which was said to be a sister store of "Yamaue Kikuchi Shoten" in front of Otaru Station. So, I decided to go there. I left Otaru Station and rode my scooter to the Civic Hall, trying to find a shortcut while simulating the route in my head. I arrived, and there were menus and such by the entrance. The daily special was cold noodles and another dish. I immediately went in and ordered the cold noodles. The waitress asked me to choose two side dishes, and in my haste, I selected "Kikurage and cucumber marinated in sweet vinegar" and "Otaru-grown boiled spinach." After ordering, she brought two side dishes to the table between the register and where I was sitting. I then chose a salad instead of miso soup to go with the cold noodles. The waitress then asked if I wanted rice with my cold noodles, to which I declined. The food arrived, and the cold noodles were beautifully presented with finely shredded egg, sweetened fried tofu, rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, sliced cucumbers, mini tomatoes, and a side of mustard. The sauce was not like store-bought ones, and it had a good balance of acidity and sweetness. The salad was made with cabbage, red cabbage, sunny lettuce, and mini tomatoes, dressed with what seemed to be homemade French dressing. The marinated kikurage and cucumber were tasty but slightly lacking in flavor. The Otaru-grown boiled spinach had a soy sauce flavor, but I couldn't quite pinpoint the type of soy sauce used. Overall, the food was delicious, but I felt that it lacked a bit of substance. The combination of cold noodles with warm rice and miso soup seemed a bit odd. Cold noodles are usually a side dish, not a main dish. However, I wonder how it would taste with rice and miso soup.

There is a cafeteria in an unexpected place! It feels like a university cafeteria. Looking at the menu, the lunch sets seem like a good deal. Today's lunch options are curry and deep-fried cheese udon. With my daughter in tow, I choose the udon lunch set. I also order the mixed grill (hamburger and shrimp) and salmon set. I go to pick up the side dishes that come with the lunch. There are about 10 small dishes lined up, like salad and sweet and sour pork, which look like nice appetizers. Choosing is quite enjoyable. The restaurant has both tatami and table seating, and it seems they offer party plans starting from around 2000 yen. The tatami area has toys, which my daughter enjoys a lot. Although there didn't seem to be many other customers, the food was brought out just at the right time. The warm udon with melted cheese and egg yolk on top looks like carbonara. It's my first time trying cheese udon, and it's surprisingly good! The salmon set is delicious, with high-quality red salmon. Unlike the usual thin, frozen salmon, this one is thick and flavorful. The restroom is located outside and has a very traditional feel to it. It almost feels like stepping into a foreign mansion. It's spacious and quiet, making it suitable for those who want to enjoy a meal alone. However, on this trip, I haven't had many chances to enjoy seafood.