This was my second visit to this restaurant in Hakodate, run by a veteran couple. I had planned to visit the neighboring horumon (offal) restaurant as well, but to my surprise, it was closed. I hesitated between going to the sushi restaurant next door, but since I had a good impression from my previous visit, I decided to go here again. It was definitely the right choice. The simmered spear squid was delicious. I asked for a recommendation and added some local herring roe. Although I couldn't tell the difference from what I eat in Kanto, it was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

During my stay in Hakodate, I visited this place for accommodation. I entered alone, but the owner and the hostess welcomed me warmly. I ordered the evening drink set, which included a choice of beer or sake, small dishes, sashimi, and grilled dishes for 1500 yen. The sashimi was delicious, especially the marinated mackerel which was rich in flavor without any fishy taste. For the grilled dish, I chose squid, and it was served whole, sweet and full of umami flavor when chewed. It was delicious. The generous amount of ginger also paired well with it. The cost performance of 1500 yen for all this was too good to be true. I would love to visit this place every day.

I had Hakodate salt ramen. I want to have a drink at an izakaya and head home, but I don't want to go to a chain store after coming this far. I used Tabelog to find a local izakaya where locals gather. As a result, I found information that the evening drink set here is a good deal. There was one group of customers ahead of me, and seats at the counter were available. The "Evening Drink Set" for 1,500 yen includes one drink, a draft beer for me! The small dishes included seaweed and a sashimi assortment of octopus, yellowtail, salmon, and mackerel, as well as grilled mackerel. The seaweed was served with vinegar and had a crunchy texture that was delicious! The octopus sashimi was perfectly boiled and tender. The other sashimi was also very fresh! The grilled fish was grilled on a net right in front of me, and they carefully flipped it multiple times. It was delicious and fluffy. I added a highball, and as I looked at the menu on the blackboard for something to eat, the owner told me they had cod liver. That's a first for me, I'll take it! The rich cod liver with ponzu sauce was amazing! The crunchy texture of the liver along with it made it a valuable and delicious dish, perfect for drinking. As a bonus, I also received soy sauce-marinated cod roe, and I added another highball! I had a very enjoyable time (^-^) The bill was also very reasonable, in the 2,000 yen range. If there was a place like this nearby, I would definitely become a regular customer. Thank you for the meal (^o^)

I had to travel to Hakodate for work after about 3 years. After finishing my tasks past 8 o'clock, I searched for a nearby restaurant near my accommodation and stumbled upon Michinoku. Despite the sudden visit, the proprietress recommended their evening drink set for 1500 yen, which included a sashimi platter (yellowtail, salmon, octopus, cured mackerel), butter-grilled cod, and a draft beer. I also ordered additional items like rolled omelette, whole grilled squid, and salted fish guts. Everything was delicious. I look forward to visiting again during next year's Hakodate trip. Thank you for the fantastic meal!

I visited a local izakaya recommended for its "tipsy set" (1500 yen). The set includes small dishes (otōshi), sashimi, grilled fish, and beer, all for 1500 yen, which is a good deal. However, other items on the menu seemed surprisingly expensive. I was taken aback by the high price of scallops, which I assume is due to their scarcity. The menu mainly consisted of butter-grilled dishes, with limited variety, which got a bit boring. Overall, it was a typical izakaya catering to locals.

I finally decided to try going to an izakaya by myself! For my solo izakaya debut, I chose Michinoku. I was the first customer since they had just opened. I sat in the corner of the L-shaped counter and ordered the evening drink set. Soon, a small draft beer and otoshi (appetizer) arrived. Then, four kinds of sashimi were served - tuna, salmon belly, marinated mackerel, and octopus. Grilled salmon belly was also served. All of this for only ¥1500, which was a great deal, but then the chef asked me if I wanted to try some crab. It was a Hira Tsume crab, I think. He boiled it for me as a complimentary service. Of course, one beer was not enough, so I ordered another one! I also ordered a leek and egg dish. Since it was a weekday, I was the only customer there, so I had a nice chat with the chef and the hostess. They were both very friendly and it was a fun experience. It's a place where you can enjoy yourself even if you're alone! Thank you for the delicious meal!

On September 1, 2013 (Sunday) in Hakodate, I was wandering around at night and a slightly tipsy old man approached me, saying "The local joints where the locals go are better than the touristy places." He then recommended a place called "Michinoku," an old establishment with a nostalgic atmosphere filled with regular customers at the counter. When I mentioned that I was referred by someone, the owner was delighted. The menu had a wide variety of dishes, and I ordered a lot, including saury, hairy crab, and squid, all of which were delicious. The hairy crab was even served as a complimentary dish. The warmth and kindness of the people there made me very happy, especially during my travels when I often feel lonely. I heard stories from the owner's younger days and asked about the origin of the name "Michinoku," even though it's in Hokkaido. When I mentioned that I came from Ehime, the other customers were also pleased, and we all had various conversations. The food was excellent, comparable to a sushi restaurant, and it was hard to believe that such high-quality food could be served at an izakaya. Overall, I was very pleased to be surrounded by the warm kindness of the owner, his wife, the regular customers, and everyone there. Michinoku was great.

I am a salesperson for a construction-related manufacturer. When I travel to Hakodate, I make sure to eat out for both lunch and dinner. Despite the tough economy, if you are doing business in Hakodate, it is important to spend money there! (Avoid convenience stores and large chain stores). Today's accommodation is Hotel R in Omori-cho. I found a restaurant by chance near Matsukaze-cho tram stop, with the entrance open due to power-saving measures at 8 pm. I decided to go in as it seemed fine for solo dining. The menu was hand-drawn and I found a "drinking set" with a small dish, sashimi, grilled fish, and a choice of beer or sake for 1,500 yen. I started with a beer and the first dish was squid with miso and green onions - refreshing and delicious. The second dish was a sashimi platter with sweet shrimp, yellowtail, octopus, and marinated mackerel, all fresh. The owner then offered a complimentary hairy crab. The third dish (or fourth with the service) was grilled salmon with grated radish, perfectly cooked. All this for 1,500 yen, excluding drinks, left me satisfied. Highly recommended. I had a brief chat with the owner, who used to work at a Japanese restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo. I will definitely be back for the drinking set and more. This concludes my solo dining report from Michinoku.