【Takeout Available】The strongest convenience store in the north, Seicomart, which boasts the top share in Hokkaido after struggling when moving north to the Tsugaru Strait from the domestic No. 1 7-Eleven. The hot chefs who cook bento boxes, onigiri, and deli items at each convenience store are also very popular. Seicomart Club members earn 1 point for every 100 yen spent in cash, which can be exchanged for prizes. This store is located near Uenohoro Station, on the border between Sapporo and Kitahiroshima City in the east of Sapporo. The parking lot is spacious with Seiko Mart trucks parked, making it convenient to eat bento boxes right there. The store is located just after the railroad tracks along Atsubetsu Higashidori, heading south from the Chitose Line underpass, at the intersection with traffic lights. It is only a few minutes' walk from JR Uenohoro Station. On November 5, 2020, at 11:30, I revisited this second convenience store that I passed by during a cycling trip. On that day, I planned to have all-you-can-eat sushi and drinks in the evening in the city center, so I needed a light meal for breakfast and lunch. The hot chef's bento boxes are very convenient for such occasions. Since we don't have a microwave at home, the hot chef's bento boxes are much appreciated. They are cooked in each store, which is a big plus. Luckily, I found a Katsudon for 540 yen. It's about 3.5 km from my home, so it was still warm when I got back. The ingredients and rice are separated, so it's not soggy, which is nice. The meat is flavorful and not too tough like the katsu in convenience store or supermarket bentos. The rice is slightly salty, which makes it easy to eat. Each store may have slight variations in taste due to individual cooking, but I only eat 1-2 bowls a year, so I can't really tell the difference.

When I passed by Sapporo around the time when cherry blossoms were blooming, it was still cold. However, inside the car, the sun was strong enough that it would get hot if the windows were closed. I was able to come back home for the season this year. When I passed by on my way to the highway that runs through Sapporo from Kitahiroshima, I decided to stop by for some coffee. I was looking for canned coffee from Tully's, but couldn't find it. Instead, I found a bottle of hot coffee from BOSS, which I don't see often in Saitama. It was my first time trying it. I also noticed a Hokkaido red bean ice cream, which I hadn't seen in Saitama. I ended up buying it too. I tried it in the car and found it quite delicious. It's a good replacement for red bean monaka, which has disappeared now.

This is a place in Atsubetsu-ku, located near JR Uenohoro Station in Atsubetsu-cho Uenohoro, along Atsubetsu Higashidori. For the exact location, please check the map on the food review website. I visited a Seico Mart with a Hot Chef section, where I purchased three types of onigiri and two side dishes. The onigiri were moist with a good amount of salmon and a nice saltiness. The side dishes included squid ring fry, which was a bit tough, and corn cream croquette, which was creamy and had a nice texture. The onigiri from Seico Mart's Hot Chef section have a generous portion, making them a good option to bring to a baseball game.