In September 2022, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, JICA Sapporo Cafe Restaurant "Chikyū Kōsaten" was forced to take a long-term closure. When it reopened, it was operating only for weekday lunches. Previously, the restaurant was known for its "world cuisine" offerings, but that is currently on hold. As I am not in Sapporo on weekdays, I am unable to enjoy the lunch at this restaurant, let alone the regular menu item "world curry." I hope that we can overcome the "corona" situation soon, and JICA Sapporo's wonderful restaurant "Chikyū Kōsaten" can return to normal operation. For now, I will satisfy my cravings with their "chicken curry," which is only 750 yen but tastes authentic. Please bring back the "world cuisine" soon. I will visit again.

Despite the continued hot days in Sapporo, I visited this spacious and comfortable place with air conditioning. They offer three different daily set meals and a variety of international regular menu options to choose from. Today's daily specials are as follows: A Set Meal: Seafood Mix Fry (TFT) B Set Meal: Stir-fried Pork C Set Meal: Chicken Parmigiana I was indecisive between choosing a light option like pho from the international regular menu, but ultimately decided on the C Set Meal. The female staff here always provide excellent service, which I admire. Shortly after ordering, my meal arrived at the serving counter. The portion was quite generous, and I wondered if I could finish it all. The Chicken Parmigiana, a Brazilian dish with breaded chicken, cheese, and tomato sauce, looked delicious. Time to dig in! The taste was just as expected, and I enjoyed every bite. The rice, although not of premium quality, was sufficient. The soup and salad were also tasty. The meal was filling, and I managed to finish it all. It was indeed delicious! Thank you for the meal! I might feel sleepy in the afternoon now. Next time, I might try something like Lagman from the world menu.

It's been a while since I last came, but this place is still the same. The size of the skylight windows, the brightness of the dining area, and the friendliness of the female cashier are world-class. The female cashier must be able to speak several languages. I am convinced that this is the ideal space of "harmony". This is a restaurant! It's easy to get excited when you talk about a restaurant. It's natural for those who only know bistros. ...It's a number plate purchase system. The daily set meals are selling out quickly, so I might have to give up, or maybe I just came a little late. Since my original plan fell through, what should I choose from the grand menu? I'll go with the pork chop from the meat section. And I'll also have a hot coffee. I pay and receive the call bell. The call number is 76! Huh!? 76th? Is this a star's number? I need to ask the stardust about this! I must be lucky♪ Now, the pork chop is served on a hot plate. The side dishes are french fries and corn. The sweet sauce-flavored pork chop goes well with rice. The rice is cooked quite firm. The soup is consommé with a little paprika and fried eggplant, with a subtle saltiness. The coffee at the end seems a bit oxidized. I wanted to try the Yamagata dashi rice bowl that was sold out. There are many attractive menu items! I will definitely come back again.

"Restaurant Cafe Earth Workshop" is a restaurant located within JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). Despite being a facility of JICA, it is a restaurant that anyone can casually visit and enjoy various cuisines from around the world. I visited after about 6 years, and it was still reasonably priced as before! The menu offers a wide range of options, including noodles from around the world, curries from around the world, ethnic dishes, Western cuisine, Japanese cuisine, and more. The interior has also been renovated and looks a bit more stylish now. I chose the "Daily Special C Lunch (Pork Cutlet Napolitan) @700 yen" from the three daily specials. You pay at the register, receive a number tag, and wait for your order at your preferred seat. The meal was ready in about 5 minutes. It comes with salad and soup, which is nice. I liked the Napolitan with plenty of ketchup, and the cutlet was thick and the meat was tender and delicious. The portion of noodles was generous, and the meal was satisfying! It was a delightful dining experience, and I will definitely visit again. The self-service aspect may be a bit inconvenient, but the atmosphere and service were impressive. I look forward to returning soon. Delicious meal, thank you!"

Today, I visited a popular one-character curry restaurant, but it was too crowded, so I decided to switch to another favorite place. No worries, I really like this place too. Now, which of the three daily specials should I choose? The A lunch is miso butter-grilled mackerel, which sounds intriguing with the combination of miso and butter. The B lunch is stir-fried pork and komatsuna with aromatic sauce. After much deliberation, I decided to go with the C lunch, which is Vietnamese-style beef noodles (basically pho, right?). For the side dish, the sweet chili chicken was the deciding factor. The light chicken pho with sweet chili chicken is a regular international menu item here. I wonder if this time it's beef bone-based pho bo? I can't wait to try it. While waiting, I heard the announcement that the A lunch had sold out. Should I have gone with the miso butter-grilled mackerel after all? The combination of mackerel miso and butter is still on my mind. Soon, the buzzer rang, and the food was brought to the serving area. The operation and customer service are always impressive here. Now, let's dig in! The pho looks delicious with cilantro on top. I forgot about the cilantro. I'm not a fan of cilantro, but it's embarrassing to be picky at this age. I remembered the story that if you eat cilantro a lot, you might suddenly start to like it, so I decided to face it without excluding it. And strangely, by the end, I didn't mind it anymore. You should try everything at least once. The soup is light yet flavorful! The shiny smooth white noodles are delicious, even when you don't have an appetite. The thinly sliced beef is just right, and the crunchy vegetables are great. I think choosing the pho was the right decision. Adding some spiciness for flavor variation is also nice. The sweet chili chicken as a palate cleanser is also a safe choice! I was so engrossed in eating that I almost finished the soup. It was delicious! Thank you for the meal! The restaurant has a spacious parking lot, efficient operation, and I highly recommend their lunch menu. If it's a 15-minute drive one way (sorry if I'm wrong), it's definitely worth it. They offer a variety of international dishes like laghman, pad thai, samosas, and curries from different countries, but the allure of the three daily specials makes it hard to decide. You can also get free refills on coffee for an additional 110 yen. I'll post a photo of this week's menu. (I'm already intrigued by all three daily specials for tomorrow as well. Hmm...)

Today is Wednesday, and Ichimonji Curry Shop is closed on an irregular basis. I thought I could challenge them with fewer rivals if they were open, but unfortunately, they are closed. However, it's okay! Right across the street, there is another option for you. Samosa, pho, pad Thai, poo pha pong curry, their international menu is appealing, but I always end up choosing from the daily rotating three options. Today, after debating between the chicken chop from the B lunch and the pork kimchi fried rice from the C lunch, I decided to go with the B lunch. Oh no, it's quite crowded. Despite the spacious floor, there are few empty seats, which is a first for me. I managed to secure a two-person table, and surprisingly, the waiting time for my order was the same as usual, with a prompt call when it was ready. I always admire their friendly service and efficient operation. The chicken chop is quite filling, so let's dig in! First, I taste the soup, which is delicious in a normal way. The chicken chop is tender, like a chicken version of pork chop, and the rice goes well with it. Although they may not use premium rice due to being a JICA establishment, the rice is cooked to perfection and tastes great. The menu sample mentions a scallop-flavored fry, but it turns out to be a scallop-flavored fish cake. No lies here, just honesty! At first, I was unsure if I could finish the generous portion, but I managed to clean my plate. Ah, it was delicious! Thank you for the meal! I look forward to trying their international menu next time. Let's take photos of the unfamiliar menu items for reference on the next visit.

I usually only want 1-2 out of the 3 daily lunch options, but this time all 3 seem appealing, making it a tough choice. A lunch has oyster fry and ham cutlet, B lunch has Japanese-style flavored hamburger, C lunch has soy sauce ramen and fried rice with sauce. After much deliberation, I chose C lunch with soy sauce ramen and fried rice with sauce, a JICA lunch with a domestic twist! Soon after, the buzzer rang and the food was served. Let's dig in! The soy sauce ramen is a traditional chicken broth ramen, nostalgic and delicious. The noodles are a bit powdery but not bad. The fried rice with sauce has a mild seasoning that the sauce complements well, especially when mixed with the ramen soup using a ladle. The thick-cut chashu is satisfyingly tender and has an old-school flavor that I enjoyed. For 700 yen, it's quite a good deal. It was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

This restaurant offers three different daily specials that are surprising, and it also has a wide variety of multicultural menus that are typical of JICA. Today's three daily specials are A set meal - Green curry simmered with white fish, B set meal - Lamb with brown sauce, and C set meal - Chicken tempura rice bowl. This time, I chose the A set meal - Cod fish fry, which is part of the TABLE FOR TWO (TFT) menu. TFT is a system where a donation of 20 yen for a meal is made, and a school meal for a child in a developing country is provided. I handed the wooden tag for the A set meal to the cashier before paying, and then I sat at a favorite table in the spacious dining area. The popular curry restaurant, Ichimonji Curry, was closed today. Soon, the buzzer rang, and I went to pick up my meal. Let's eat! First, I took a bite of the white fish (hake) and green curry soup. Oh, it's slightly spicy and delicious, making the rice go down smoothly. (Hake is a fish from the waters near Australia and New Zealand. The name of the character in the story, Chidori and Daigo's grandmother, is Honi.) Next, I tried the Thai sweet and spicy grilled chicken, Gai Yang, and it was surprisingly delicious! It was crispy with a fish sauce-like seasoning, and I couldn't stop eating. It was like a twin vocal performance by the BARBEE BOYS, sorry, I couldn't resist. The soup was just okay, but still delicious. I thought I might not have much of an appetite, but I ended up finishing everything. Ah, it was so delicious! Thank you for the always international lunch offerings!

This is the JICA company cafeteria. There were some high-minded employees lounging around, and then there was me, who was just lazing around at home on my day off. I decided to try the pork steak, which is cooked low and slow to make the 120g pork tender. It took a bit of time to prepare, maybe 5 to 10 minutes? They gave me a buzzer and when it went off, I went to pick up my order at the serving counter. When I got there, I thought the portion looked thin and small. But when I tasted it, the soy-based sauce made the rice go down so smoothly! It was delicious! I wanted to have two servings by myself! Even if you order two servings, it's only 1600 yen, so isn't it cheap? I ate it properly with a fork and knife (laughs). It's amazing that they serve this for only 800 yen at this restaurant!

I visited my favorite place for the first time this year in March. I thought I would come earlier, but ended up visiting later than expected. They offer three different daily specials on weekdays, and I love the diverse international menu that JICA offers. Today's specials were A set meal with cod fish fry, B set meal with hamburger steak in BBQ sauce, and C set meal with bacon and mushroom cream pilaf. I chose the A set meal with cod fish fry, which is part of the TABLE FOR TWO (TFT) program. With TFT, a donation of 20 yen for each meal purchased goes towards providing a school meal for a child in a developing country. I handed the wooden tag for the A set meal to the cashier and found a nice table in the spacious dining area. The cod fish fry with tartar sauce was delicious and crispy, and I enjoyed it with rice. I forgot to switch my miso soup for a different soup, but the salad, pasta salad, and potato salad made up for it. There were not many pickles, so I used them sparingly to cleanse my palate. As someone without a company cafeteria, I appreciated the cafeteria-like atmosphere with a diverse and international menu. The coffee was only 110 yen, and you could have unlimited refills, which was a nice touch. Overall, it was a great dining experience at JICA. Thank you for the meal!

Today, I decided to visit this restaurant instead of the popular curry shop next door. I checked the menu online beforehand and was intrigued by the Mexican hamburger in the A set meal and B set meal. When I saw the actual dishes, the Napoli-style spaghetti in the C set meal also looked good, so I was torn. Since there were not many other customers, I took my time and eventually chose the A set meal, which was a part of the TABLE FOR TWO (TFT) campaign. TFT is a system where a donation of 20 yen per meal provides a school meal for a child in a developing country. Soon, my order was ready and served. The presentation was simple, but for the price, having salad and soup included was nice. The oyster fry with plenty of tartar sauce was delightful, and the rice went well with it. Both the oyster fry and shrimp fry tasted just as I expected, which was a good thing. The salad with diced cheese was surprisingly delicious, and the soup was a nice palate cleanser. Overall, it was a tasty meal. Looking back, I realized that I should have taken advantage of the diverse menu options here, like the Mexican hamburger, instead of choosing TFT.

Today, I went to have lunch in Shiraishi-ku. I was torn between a popular one-character curry shop and another restaurant, but ended up choosing the latter. The one-character curry shop was closed for the day. I opted for the A lunch set, which included silver salmon Persillade. It was a Table for Two (TFT) menu item, meaning that a portion of the proceeds would go towards providing a school meal for a child in a developing country. The silver salmon was large and delicious, although the Persillade flavor was not very prominent. The soup and tomato salad were also tasty. Overall, it was a satisfying meal. I also wanted to try the chicken steak Charia Pin style. The hot coffee, which was refillable for 110 yen during lunchtime, was a nice touch. Thank you for the meal!

Today, I decided to switch my plan from queuing at the popular one-character curry restaurant to trying out this place. Both are my favorites, so no problem at all. I ended up choosing the B lunch set, which includes hamburger, grilled chicken, fried potatoes, and sautéed corn. The portion is generous and looks delicious. The staff here are very hospitable, and the food is always tasty. The soup is good, and the hamburger has a delicious sauce on top. The grilled chicken with demi-glace sauce is also very satisfying. Overall, it was a delicious meal for the price of 700 yen. I finished it in no time and enjoyed every bite. Looking forward to trying the different daily specials next week. (I'm particularly interested in the Monday A lunch set with garlic sautéed white fish, hmm...)

Jambalaya for 700 yen. There was also a set meal with menchi-katsu and red fish fry. It was quite delicious with a spicy kick. I couldn't quite figure out what the side vegetables were, but I think it's good value for the price. The customers are diverse. It's mostly self-service, with water, chopsticks, and napkins provided. You have to go pick up your order with a buzzer and return it when you're done. The service is good, the restaurant is very clean, and the seating is comfortable. It felt a bit chilly today.

I'm here to try out the pho today, as I'm not feeling very hungry. The popular curry restaurant across the street has a one-person line, but I decide to stick to my plan and head to Pho Ga instead. I check the daily specials: A set menu - sautéed mackerel with black bean sauce, B set menu - lamb with sautéed mushroom sauce, C set menu - chicken and eggplant teriyaki donburi. As planned, I grab a Pho Ga ticket and wait in line at the register. After paying, I receive a buzzer and choose a seat. There seem to be more foreign customers today than usual. Soon enough, my buzzer goes off, and I head to the pick-up area. The pho looks delicious, and I can't wait to try it. First, I taste the clear soup - delicious! It has a vibrant flavor with chicken bone, salt, fish sauce, and a hint of lemon. Even when I'm not feeling hungry, this is perfect. Next, I try the shiny white noodles - they're smooth, chewy, and slide down my throat easily. The combination with the soup is perfect. The chicken is light and easy to eat, and the bean sprouts and chives provide a nice crunch. I finish every last bit, almost slurping up the soup. This pho is perfect for when you're feeling sluggish in the summer. It was so delicious, thank you! I hope they make this a regular menu item instead of just a weekend special. (Why is pho only available on weekends?) I want to bring my family here, so I hope they bring back dinner service and open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Today's lunch, I checked the daily lunch menu on JICA Hokkaido's website and decided to go for the B set meal with Shinshu's specialty dish, Chicken Mountain Thief. It's a large piece of chicken thigh and breast meat marinated in a soy sauce-based sauce with grated garlic and onions, coated in potato starch and deep-fried to make a huge piece of fried chicken. I first tried this dish about twenty-five years ago at the Furai-bo Shizunai branch in Shin-hidaka town during a visit to a thoroughbred ranch, and I was impressed. The miso soup was ordinary, but the Chicken Mountain Thief was delicious with its crispy texture. The rice was cooked to my liking, making me happy. I savored the remaining five pieces of Chicken Mountain Thief while enjoying the side dishes and pickles. It was so delicious! Looking at this week's daily menu, I am tempted by tomorrow's Italian Pork Cutlet B set meal and Friday's Chicken Steak with Chasseur Sauce B set meal. I also want to try the weekend-only Pho Ga. The daily changing menu, diverse and international dishes, ample and convenient parking, clean and spacious seating, quick service, and friendly staff make this a convenient and lovely restaurant.

The daily lunch specials include three options and a variety of international dishes are available here. Although the daily lunch specials have increased by 20 yen, it is still reasonably priced. Option A is yellowtail with daikon, option B is beef and mushroom stir-fry with doubanjiang, and option C is cold grated yam soba with a mini chicken cutlet rice bowl. I was tempted by option C, but due to work-related stress and lack of confidence in finishing it, I opted for chicken ramen instead. Normally, I would have chosen option C. Today, the restaurant seems busier than usual, but it's spacious so no problem. I receive the pager and take a seat at my usual table. Shortly after, my order is ready and I pick it up from the counter. The staff are all friendly and have a nice appearance. I take a sip of the slightly salty soup and then slurp the noodles. The Sapporo-style medium-thick curly noodles are delicious. The chicken char siu, disguised as menma, is quite tasty and interesting. I wasn't expecting ramen shop-level quality from the start, so I am satisfied. But now that my appetite has returned, I realize I really wanted option C! Despite not having much appetite, I manage to finish the meal somehow. It wasn't because of the restaurant, it was delicious. By the time I leave, all the daily lunch specials are sold out. The menu is extensive, the space is clean and spacious, and you can't go wrong with lunch here. The potential to visit without getting tired every day is amazing! If the timing is right, I would love to try the pho on weekends. I really want to go with my family, so I hope they reopen for weekend and evening service soon!

Finally, the season has come when it is not a burden to walk outside in Sapporo. I visited JICA Hokkaido in Shiroishi-ku. This restaurant is one of my favorites with its international and diverse menu, and a spacious and open atmosphere typical of JICA Hokkaido. Due to the current situation with COVID-19, they are only open for weekday lunch, which is a bit disappointing as it is a place I would like to visit with my family on weekends or evenings. I hope they reopen soon. Looking back at my previous review, if none of the daily specials catch my eye, I plan to go for the pho ga. However, all the daily specials look appealing. I decided to go with the B lunch set, which includes pork loin cutlet and shrimp fry set meal. After placing my order at the counter, I received a pager and headed to my seat. I noticed a long line at the curry shop next door, but also saw people getting takeout. That's a good idea for next time. The food arrived promptly, and I was impressed by the generous portions. The miso soup was delicious, the shrimp fry was plump and tasty, and the pork loin cutlet was thin but still good. The side dish of vinegar miso dressed butterbur made me feel the arrival of spring. The meal was so satisfying, especially considering the price of 680 yen. I also learned that coffee is only 110 yen for refills if you order a set meal. It's a must for a leisurely post-lunch time. It was a delicious meal, thank you! Before leaving, I asked the cashier if the lunch set menu changes daily, and she showed me next week's menu, which can also be viewed on JICA Hokkaido's website. Popular items may sell out by noon, so it's like a grown-up school lunch. I may visit every day. I checked the website again and indeed found the daily specials listed. They mentioned that the prices will increase by about 20 yen starting next week. Luckily, I visited on the last day before the price increase. Even with the price hike, I believe the value exceeds the cost.

Today's lunch was at "Restaurant Chikyukosaten" in Shiroishi-ku, with a spacious parking lot and a clean, spacious interior. The daily specials A, B, and C lunches were displayed at the entrance, while the regular menu with international dishes was showcased on the wall inside. It is located along National Route 12, opposite Round One Shiroishi. You need to bring the wooden number tag from the menu display to the cashier for pre-payment, and you will be given a pager to wait at your table in a self-service style. I couldn't decide on the daily specials, so I opted for the Pork Chop from the regular menu after considering the options like Vietnamese Pho. After paying at the register, I found a seat in the bright and clean interior. I could see a line at the nearby Ichimonji Curry restaurant through the glass, showing its continued popularity. Soon, my Pork Chop was ready, and it was delicious! The rice was cooked perfectly and complemented the flavorful meat. The meal was satisfying for 780 yen. The soup was average, and I regret not ordering the salad as an extra. I managed to finish the generous portion of rice with ease. Overall, it was a delicious meal, and I look forward to coming back soon to explore the diverse and extensive menu options at this international restaurant.

This is the dining area at JICA Sapporo, connected to the neighboring Refre Sapporo. The restaurant has a spacious and relaxed atmosphere, decorated with various traditional items from different countries, creating a unique international vibe. There is a large monitor in the center showcasing JICA's projects. The restaurant operates on a food ticket system, where you select your meal from samples, pay with the provided ticket, and dishes without tickets are sold out. Although known for world foods, only three Japanese set meals were displayed at the entrance, which change daily, with the menu of international dishes listed on the wall inside. I opted for the Chicken Ketchup set meal (680 yen) this time, with the option to add coffee (unlimited refills) for an additional 110 yen. The Chicken Ketchup had a slightly sweet flavor but was perfectly cooked, juicy, and very delicious.

Here is a cafeteria located within the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Hokkaido. ◆Order Sri Lankan curry 700 Extra-large rice 50 Coffee 110 ◆Impressions The extra-large rice is about 300 grams. The curry is served separately in a gravy boat. There is Fukujinzuke on the rice and a mini coleslaw salad on the side. The Thousand Island dressing on the cabbage is quite generous. Start by mixing all the curry onto the rice and try it. It's spicy, with a noticeable heat from the chili peppers. The coconut milk adds a gentle touch. The chunky curry, along with the fried eggplant and broccoli, is quite nice. It has a mild punch that is appealing to everyone. It feels like a sophisticated school lunch, with flavors that are easy to enjoy. I would like to come back to try the different curries and explore other international cuisines. Thank you for the meal. Thank you♪