During my first visit to Otaru in May 2023, I was intrigued by the lingering "cafe culture" in the city, with many longstanding cafes still in operation. I decided to visit a cafe that also serves meals and try their "fried rice" dish, as I have not been active in my "fried rice enthusiast" activities recently. Although cafes typically offer dishes like "chicken rice" or "pilaf," I was curious to find a cafe that serves fried rice. The menu at this cafe seemed typical of a diner-style cafe, with many local regulars dining there. I opted for the fried rice priced at 800 yen, although I debated whether I should have chosen the chicken rice instead. The price seemed a bit high compared to the 900 yen pork cutlet set meal offered. The fried rice, made with chicken thigh, bell pepper, onion, and egg, had a home-cooked feel to it. If you substitute the chicken thigh with shrimp, it would become "shrimp and ham fried rice." Personally, I prefer my homemade fried rice over this "hearty-style" fried rice. Although diner-style lunches are not my preference, I saw this as part of my fried rice enthusiast activities. It seems that dishes like curry and omelette rice are safer choices at cafes after all.

In December 2022, Otaru has many historic shops, and this café is said to have been established in the Showa era. It has a nostalgic atmosphere from that time. I looked at the menu and since it was winter break, I ordered a beer and a cutlet meat pasta for lunch. The beer came with a side salad pasta. It took about 15 minutes for the food to be served. It was served on a hot iron plate. The cutlet was crispy and the meat was tender without much fat, very delicious, but the tomato sauce was a bit too sour for my taste. The miso soup had plenty of wheat gluten in it. It was a satisfying meal with generous portions.

- Smoking is allowed - Various dining menu options - Two table game machines available - Alcohol is also served - The atmosphere of the long counter is nice! (Lots of cups displayed, looks lovely) - Table seats have a retro family restaurant vibe - Soothing smiles from the elegant and kind madam - The food is managed by an older brother - I knew there was a shop here for a long time, but it was my first time visiting! I didn't know you could smoke and drink alcohol here! I wish I had known earlier! haha First of all! I was surprised when I entered! It's so spacious!! The counter is also long! Such a wonderful atmosphere! The regular customers chatting with the mama looked like they were having fun! I sat at an available table seat for now... I'm struggling with the extensive menu... The classic retro cafe-style Napolitan dish caught my eye... The pork cutlet curry also looks tempting... But! In a cafe?! Why? haha As expected of Hokkaido, I wonder why it's been here from the old days... A mystery With all that being said... - Raw Lamb Jingisukan Set Meal ¥950 Sizzling hot plate Jingisukan has arrived!! This is a video-worthy dish! Looks delicious! Quite a generous portion! My excitement is rising!! The meat is tender! Delicious!! Lots of vegetables! Crispy and fresh!! It's great to have this many vegetables! The sauce is simple and typical, but with the meat and vegetables, it's delicious!! After taking a bite of each, I try to eat the meat before it cools down by shuffling the vegetables on the hot plate... You have to eat Jingisukan while it's hot! The miso soup also left an impression... It has three big pieces of fried tofu in it! The miso soup is also delicious!! It's delicious and appreciated, but I prefer more broth than ingredients... The side dish seems to be store-bought, right? The homemade pickled radish was delicious... The rice was the only thing that didn't quite suit my taste... It might have been just that time... I will definitely come back here! I want to try sitting at the counter and try the alcohol and coffee! I'm looking forward to trying the various menu items that caught my eye!

This is Millet, a long-established cafe located in a garden. I had been thinking of going there for a while, and finally made my first visit. Fun fact - Daigo Maki, who used to come here every year with her family to the Suitengu Shrine since junior high school. This cafe has a wide range of menu options. I wanted to try the Genghis Khan set meal here for a long time, but... I recently had a delicious dry curry at another cafe, so I decided to order the curry fried rice (778 yen) here, hoping for a similar taste. The elderly waiter brought me a spoon and condiments - pickled radish, pickled daikon, and pickled ginger. I was surprised by the pickles, as I didn't expect them to come with fried rice, but I felt lucky and happy. Then, the curry fried rice and miso soup were served. The curry fried rice had a curry aroma. It was different from the dry curry I had before, this one was definitely fried rice. It was moist and had a rich curry aroma, very delicious fried rice. The miso soup had fried tofu and tofu, perfectly matching my taste. It was also delicious. Overall, it was very delicious. There are many other menu items that I'm curious about, so I would like to visit this place again. Thank you for the meal. This was the 14th curry-related dish I had this year.

On a certain holiday, I went on a little expedition to Otaru. I stumbled upon an old coffee shop that caught my eye as I passed by. The interior of the shop was unexpectedly spacious, with a counter where you could see outside, a counter where you could sit with the staff, a Royal Mahjong table with a mysterious purpose, and a large sunken kotatsu area that could accommodate a big banquet. Piano jazz played in the background. On this day, most customers were leisurely enjoying their meals, so even though I was tempted by the food menu, I was already full and reluctantly ordered an "Iced Coffee (486 yen)." Taking a sip... The iced coffee, poured generously into a small glass, had a nice balance of bitterness and a hint of acidity, making it a refreshing and slightly sweet type. I couldn't help but notice that the staff working in this shop, which seemed to have a history rooted in the local community, were doing their best, including a grandpa who looked like a futuristic ASIMO and might be close to 90 years old. It was a wonderful and cozy place. Thank you for the meal.

I visited a long-established cafe in Hanazono, Otaru for lunch in August 2016. It was my first time visiting this place. The interior of the cafe is quite spacious, with a counter, table seating, and even a raised seating area in the back. The menu offered a wide variety of meal options, but when it comes to cafes, I always go for the classic - Napoletana. The dish was served on an iron plate with Tabasco and powdered cheese on the side. The ingredients included onions, green peppers, and red weiner sausages, but the vegetable cuts were quite large and the noodles were slightly thinner than usual, giving a bit of an unbalanced feel. The seasoning was done with a generous amount of ketchup, but it lacked a bit of oiliness. I later found out that it had a rating of 65 in terms of oiliness. In my opinion, the essential elements of a classic Napoletana are: 1) served on an iron plate, 2) Tabasco and powdered cheese are a must, 3) thicker noodles, 4) onions, green peppers, and ham or weiner sausages as a minimum, 5) red weiner sausages or ham are a must, 6) main seasoning with ketchup, 7) a moderate amount of oil at the bottom of the plate after finishing. While this Napoletana didn't meet all the criteria, it did meet several, making it quite enjoyable. Thank you for the meal!

The coffee shop I was supposed to meet at was closed, so I asked a taxi driver for a recommendation and ended up at a cozy little cafe. The staff seemed a bit unfriendly, but the atmosphere was charming with a mix of old and modern decor. The place had a nostalgic feel with various knick-knacks on display, and even an old game console as a table. It was a cold and rainy day, so I decided to order a hot drink, but ended up with a super sweet pineapple juice instead. It was almost like drinking straight syrup! Despite the overly sweet juice, I found the place to be quite comfortable and perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee. It's a great spot to just unwind and let your mind wander.

Welcome! The parking lot at the end of the signal corner in the Hanazono-dori area of Otaru City can be a bit inconvenient. The small, elderly man in a chef's coat at the counter is really cute! The counter area is for regular customers, while the back tables have two game machines. Despite being a coffee shop, there is a wide variety of drinks available. The atmosphere is lively with loud music playing. Did you order the curry or fried rice? The black vinegar pork dish is delicious, with a good balance of sweetness, saltiness, and thickness in the sauce. The meat is tender and flavorful, and the vegetables are crispy. The miso soup with simmered potatoes and the pickles are a nice way to finish the meal. Overall, the Chinese dishes are tasty and consistent in quality. The son who cooks in the kitchen seems to fit in well with the atmosphere of the restaurant. Thank you for the meal!

From the intersection of Otaru Hanazono and Hanazono Park Avenue, there is a coffee and dining place located at the corner of Hanazono Ginza shopping street. The long-established Otaru public dining hall "Mikawa-ya" is located across the street from this restaurant. It used to operate in a different location, but about 10 years ago, it moved to its current location, making it a 50-year-old long-standing establishment. If "Mikawa-ya" is a Showa-era public dining hall, then "Millet" is a Showa-era public restaurant. The distinction between the words "dining hall" and "restaurant". It's my own simple distinction based on whether tatami mats or tables are more suitable, but hey (laughs). There are sunken kotatsu-style seating areas, stoves in the middle of the restaurant, and sliding doors at the entrance... etc. Each table is set with a spoon wrapped in a paper napkin, which is also provided at "Mikawa-ya" and is a factor that dulls judgment (laughs). This Millet is a public restaurant. First of all, the name is Western-style, "Café & Dining Millet". The table seats have sofas, and the counter seats have bar-like tables. Jazz music from cable radio plays in the background. As a nostalgic touch, there is a table for video games. It's mahjong. I think the character girl on the screen gradually takes off her clothes every time the customer loses. If the customer loses even a little, you'll want to shout, "Why are you putting on your clothes so quickly? It's weird!" It's a game. I remember when the game first came out, the display would ask, "Continue playing?" and I would just keep putting in 100 yen coins... (I was a stupid guy...) What I had at a place like this was omurice. There is a visually striking omurice on the plate. It is neatly wrapped in an omelette. The omelette is cooked evenly without being overcooked or too runny. The ketchup rice is a traditional chicken rice. The rice is neither dry nor too moist, cooked to perfection, and the ketchup is just right. The large pieces of chicken have a good texture. Enjoy it with the ketchup on the omelette to your liking. The omurice at the neighboring restaurant "Mikawa-ya" has quite a few similarities. The omurice from both long-established restaurants is a draw! Both are delicious omurice. This restaurant seems to be run by the second generation. It is a precious dining hall, or rather a restaurant, in Otaru that is open from lunchtime until late at night. I hope they continue to preserve the style of this restaurant. Thank you for the meal.

Served on a hot plate, the dish stays hot until the very end. Be careful if you have a sensitive tongue! Thanks to the hot plate, you can enjoy both crispy burnt parts and moist parts of the Napolitan and Baked Napolitan. The ingredients include sausage, onion, and green pepper, cut into large pieces for a satisfying texture. Instead of soup, miso soup is served with fried tofu, green onions, and seaweed. The combination with Napolitan may be questionable, but it was delicious in its own way.

After leaving the Nishin Goten Soba at "Aozuka Shokudo," I hurried back to the center of Otaru on my bicycle. Along the way, there were limestone caves, fishing ports, and old railway tracks with a museum, creating a charming atmosphere. As I continued my sightseeing in the city, I searched for places to eat and have tea. On my way up the slope from the Kitachi Block to Mt. Tengu, I spotted a quaint diner with good reviews on Tabelog, especially intrigued by their squid somen. Next to that diner was this café. The exterior had a stylish feel, but upon opening the door, I found it quite spacious and welcoming. I only stopped for a quick break, ordering an iced coffee, but the dining menu seemed extensive, common in this shopping district. The counter seats were occupied by regulars engaged in lively conversations. I opted for a booth in the back, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Perhaps I was tired, as I found myself dozing off comfortably. It was a cozy, ordinary café.