ホッピー野球
Visited in August 2023. The cover charge was 550 yen each. We ordered the Vinegar Soy Sauce Sashimi Assortment for 2,300 yen, the Grilled Smelt for 1,100 yen, and the Takasago Wind Whispers for 650 yen each. We also had chilled sake for 750 yen each. The total bill was 11,250 yen. We finished watching the Escon Field game a bit early and took a train from Kitahiroshima Station to Asahikawa Station via Sapporo Station. As soon as our itinerary was set, we made a reservation at this long-awaited restaurant, a place that every sake bar enthusiast, like myself, knows about. Finally, we made it. Asahikawa is where I landed the day before the Great East Japan Earthquake due to bad weather at New Chitose Airport. The following day's tragedy is still vivid in my memory. Therefore, this was my first Asahikawa night. We arrived from Sapporo, checked into our accommodation, dropped off our bags, and headed straight to the restaurant. The town was having a festival. Seeing women in yukatas pass by was nice, but the loud voices of young men over the microphone were a bit overwhelming. Is this a new festival? "The festivals in the north are intense," they say, but it seems a bit lacking in refinement, doesn't it? Amidst all this, we found the sign for this place, "Dokushaku Sanshiro," standing at the end of the bustling street. The sign illuminated from the shop exudes a winter vibe. I was lost in thought, but it was time for our reservation, so we entered the restaurant promptly. We arrived right on time at 8:00 p.m. The interior of the restaurant, with its solid black base that I had seen in photos and on TV shows featuring Ota-sensei, immediately caught my eye. Seats were available in the back half of the counter. As soon as we sat down, we were served the famous cover charge, vinegar soybeans, and chopsticks with words written on the paper wrapper. I am a "summer" and my friend is a "spring" based on the characters written on the chopsticks. Looking at the photos of the seniors, there are various characters. The vinegar soybeans were indeed simple and delicious, just as rumored. This appetizer, unchanged since its establishment in 1946, truly captures the feeling of drinking in a northern sake bar. I was deeply moved to be able to visit this sake bar. The tanginess is subtle, the texture is chewy, and it is refreshing and flavorful. A perfect start, truly the quintessential appetizer! We looked through the menu and placed our orders. We couldn't miss the sashimi platter and the Grilled Smelt. We had already had enough beer at Escon Field, so we opted for cold sake instead. While enjoying the vinegar soybeans and the High Tide Wind Whispers, the sashimi platter was served. The platter looked even bigger than I had imagined. It included octopus head at 12 o'clock, vinegar-pickled herring at 3 o'clock, tuna red meat and medium fatty tuna at 6 o'clock, scallop and peony shrimp at 9 o'clock, and turban shell in the center. The beautiful and vibrant presentation was perfect for summer. The sticky sweetness of the peony shrimp left a strong impression. And then came the Grilled Smelt! It was bigger than I had imagined, with crispy skin soaked in sauce. It's a must-try dish and it goes well with sake, filling up the stomach. The other famous dish, hot sake, was served. Although I couldn't find it on the menu, when I asked for hot sake, it came in that iron kettle that I had seen in books and on TV. The landlady chose the sake cups for us. This was fantastic! The taste was gentle and soothing. If it were snowing outside, I might have shed a tear. My friend ordered the Corn Tea Highball, which I had tried and become addicted to at a bar in Susukino. I took a sip, and it had a rich flavor with a sharp finish. It's delicious even without carbonation. It has become a specialty here. We also ordered pickles, which were traditional, and macaroni salad, which seemed out of place but was tempting. Both were delicious and reliable izakaya dishes. I admire their commitment to serving humble and tasty dishes without being pretentious. The Grilled Atka Mackerel was so delicious. I regretted ordering the small size. It was gone in an instant. If there are two of you, go for the large size...