We visited the stall and row house of "Gagaku"✨ Everything we ordered was really carefully prepared and delicious (๑´ڡ`๑) The grilled shabu-don unexpectedly had a tasty egg omelette on top✨ They offer three ways to enjoy the steak of local beef✨ The corn tempura was delicious, not only for tourists but also for us locals! The mapo tofu had a spicy Western-Chinese fusion flavor? And the Hokkai shrimp was sooo good!

In the city where I arrived, I made sure to try the local cuisine. On the 4th day, my accommodation was in Obihiro. After checking in around 7:00 PM, I immediately headed to a long-established tempura restaurant to have the local specialty pork bowl instead of tempura. I decided to wander around the city. Surprisingly, despite being on the 4th day of my journey, I hadn't stepped into a bar yet. I wanted to have a drink tonight. As I strolled through the bustling streets filled with food stalls, every seemingly good place was either full or closed. I found a quaint retro area off the beaten path and decided to explore it, but most places were either closed or full. As I retraced my steps, I walked through the food stall area again, but couldn't find any promising spots. It seemed like I might have to give up for the night. After a few back and forth trips, I spotted a place with available seats. I decided to go in. The interior was a casual izakaya with only a counter, slightly messy and lacking in local charm. I ordered my favorite Sapporo Draft beer (500 yen) which I hadn't had yet on this trip. Looking at the menu, I noticed a variety of seafood dishes at reasonable izakaya prices. I decided to order the sashimi assortment (980 yen). The clientele was mostly young salarymen, and surprisingly, the female server was the only woman, as the male owner was cooking in the kitchen. I enjoyed my beer and appetizer, and when the sashimi arrived, it was a generous platter with various fresh fish like sea bream, salmon, and tuna. It was quite delicious. After another beer and some sashimi, I decided to call it a night. It was a brief but enjoyable respite in the bustling Obihiro night. As I left the restaurant, the streets were still lively. I wondered if I would find the next place to visit. With a slight sense of unease, I continued to wander the city streets.

Good morning. I am a beauty acupuncturist, Kozue. The other day, I visited Hokkaido and went to a restaurant called Gagaku in Tokachino Nagaya. The restaurant had a surprising number of customers even late at night. Among the various options, we chose Gagaku, a Japanese izakaya located in one corner of Tokachino Nagaya. The restaurant had only counter seats, accommodating about 7-8 people. It seemed like mostly locals were dining there when we visited. We ordered the following dishes: Tokachi-grown Nagaimo and Bluefin Tuna Yukke (700 yen), Raw Lamb Tataki (700 yen), Tokachi Mash and Bacon (750 yen), Shira Tachi Tempura (850 yen), Mini Salmon Roe Bowl (750 yen). When we asked the staff for recommendations, they suggested the Shira Tachi and Raw Lamb Tataki. The Shira Tachi turned out to be whitefish milt, which was tender and delicious when deep-fried. The raw lamb was surprisingly tender, with a slight lamb flavor that wasn't overpowering. The Tokachi-grown Nagaimo and Bluefin Tuna Yukke had a nice crunch and paired well with the tuna. The highlight was the Tokachi Mash and Bacon, with thick mushrooms and bacon in an oil fondue. The seasoning was simple with salt and oil, allowing the mushroom's flavor to shine. The only disappointment was the Mini Salmon Roe Bowl, as the seasoning was slightly different from what we expected and the rice was a bit too soft. Overall, the prices were similar to a casual izakaya in Tokyo, but the quality of the ingredients and flavors were excellent. We were able to enjoy a variety of Hokkaido's local ingredients. Thank you for the meal.

I want to eat something delicious... I decided to go to Washoku Saien Garaku, a restaurant I had been eyeing for a while. It was a weekday, and there were no customers when I arrived. I had tried calling for a reservation on the weekend before, but couldn't get a good time slot, so I decided to try my luck on a weekday. The menu was extensive and I started off with a Kirin Ichiban beer for 500 yen. The appetizer, boiled whelk for 500 yen, was surprisingly tasty. Then, I ordered a few dishes that caught my eye: - Fresh bamboo shoot sashimi for 700 yen: Thinly sliced and delicious. - Garaku's special mackerel for 780 yen: Not too fishy, very fresh. - Natural bluefin tuna sashimi for 850 yen: Classic and delicious. - Iron pot mapo tofu for 680 yen: Be careful, it's very hot but not too spicy. - Sakura shrimp tempura for 700 yen: Crispy and flavorful with pink salt. - Homemade roast beef of local black wagyu for 800 yen: Tasty with a French dressing-like sauce. - Kariho light unfiltered sake for 800 yen: A nice accompaniment to the meal. The owner recommended the "Tokachi-produced Nagaimo and Bluefin Tuna Yukke Garaku-style" dish, which he said was popular and visually appealing. The restaurant offers a mix of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, and has been serving high-quality food since it opened last July. It's a great place to enjoy authentic cuisine in a casual setting.

Two food stalls flow into the neighboring row house. It has a sophisticated image. The buildings are sturdy and it's a gathering of small shops. I chose this restaurant! The person I came with is weak with alcohol and already feeling defeated. Oh well, it's going to get even more fun from here on out! The space is more than double the row house. Inside, it's a normal restaurant setting. Today's recommended menu includes the special "shime saba" (marinated mackerel) for 780 yen and deep-fried white shrimp for 600 yen. The appetizer is egg tofu, with a moderate elasticity and a delightful bite. I felt like having something sweet, so I ordered a cassis soda and drank it down. The special "shime saba" is almost like eating it raw, with a firm texture that gives a sense of freshness. Yummy! The deep-fried white shrimp is crispy on the outside and juicy and flavorful when you bite into it. Let's have some ponzu sake to go with the dishes. I ordered a bottle of Dassai Junmai Daiginjo 50 for 750 yen, a cold sake with a fruity taste and a refreshing finish. So delicious! That's right. I like ponzu sake, but I tend to drink it like beer, so it's better to only drink it at home. But today, this is the end, so I had one last drink. I still feel like drinking more, but the person next to me is already half out of it (laughs), so before they completely lose it, let's leave the restaurant. Thank you for the meal! The North Food Stall, Tokachi-no-Nagaya was a really fun place. I heard that it's a mix of tourists and locals, with a 50-50 ratio. There are still many more restaurants I want to try and revisit, so I will definitely come back for more delicious adventures! Cheers!

The alcohol and food were delicious, but I was disappointed by the lack of friendliness from the staff.

The sashimi was delicious, but the owner was watching TV the whole time, so they should put more effort into customer service. The sea urchin rice bowl was creative with lettuce, but a regular bowl would have been better.

Great mix of Japanese and Western cuisine! They have everything delicious! This place offers a variety of shochu from Dassai and rare Japanese sake, which always leads me to drink too much. I'm always satisfied. No mistake.