★スマイル★
Sapporo, Nishi-machi. Along the main road heading towards Otaru, there is a yakitori izakaya known for its "nama tsukune" (raw minced chicken skewers). The name of the place is "Sumibi Izakaya En Nishi-machi Honten" (There is a parking lot in front of the store). The waiter asked me if I wanted the all-you-can-drink option for 90 minutes, but I declined without asking for the price. Later, I found out that it was only 980 yen for the all-you-can-drink option. What a shame! The beer served was Suntory's Malt's in a medium-sized glass for 410 yen. If I had ordered three beers, the all-you-can-drink option would have been more cost-effective. Oh well, too late to change now. I noticed the sign for "nama tsukune" and "En" in various places, but this was my first time trying it out. I wonder if "nama tsukune" refers to using fresh, non-frozen meat for the skewers. I tried various skewers including plain salt, umeshiso, and tsukune with egg yolk on top. They were cooked over charcoal and had a unique shape with a thick, round end tapering towards the front. The salt tsukune was soft and fluffy, almost like it had grated yam in it. The umeshiso was a classic flavor, while the tsukune with egg yolk had a sweet sauce that made me crave rice. Overall, the skewers were tasty and not too salty, which I appreciated. I also ordered the teppanyaki-style Napolitan spaghetti, which had a nostalgic look with a raw egg yolk on top. It was made with bacon and onions, and came with Tabasco sauce on the side. The thick spaghetti was soft, but the dish was a bit too sweet for my taste. The hot plate could have been hotter to give it a more sizzling appeal. The "nama tsukune" skewers were surprisingly cheap, starting at 126 yen each. The menu offered a variety of dishes like sashimi, zangi, bibimbap, grilled hokke fish, chanko nabe, Morioka cold noodles, yukke-don, and Bibai yakitori, making it a versatile izakaya. The prices were affordable, making it a convenient choice for casual dining. I later realized they offer coupons, where you can enjoy the all-you-can-drink option for 750 yen for 90 minutes, which is a great deal. If you use the coupon, it's definitely more cost-effective, especially if you plan to have more than two beers. It seems like a place where you can enjoy good food and drinks without breaking the bank.