Teppei is a small izakaya located in a narrow alley behind Hakodate Station, surrounded by empty lots. It is a prestigious establishment that has been visited by the president of a long-standing publishing company dating back to the Taisho era, as well as the chairman of a company celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. I arrived after some locals who were already dining. The entrance was a small table on the side, but I soon realized there was a seating area further inside. We started with a toast of beer, although I noticed my companion was already enjoying sake. The menu had a design reminiscent of a color blindness test. They accepted PayPay as payment, but there was a note warning that the elderly owner often forgets, so I had to assist. Without realizing it, we were served potato salad with shirasu, which had a unique twist. The thick-fried tofu was also delicious. Then came the squid sashimi, which was ordered for us without request. Apparently, the taste of squid varies depending on the year, with some being better than others. The owner used to be a Western-style cook, hence the presence of spaghetti on the menu. I assumed all the dishes would be delicious. We had a selection of sashimi, including mackerel and tuna, with the tuna being particularly tasty. I ordered the Hokkigai, a type of clam, which was incredibly fresh and flavorful. We then enjoyed some sake, including the Osayama from Asahikawa, Hokkaido. I also tried the dried whole sardines, which I like, and some chicken liver, which had a robust flavor. The shish kebab, although not ordered, had a unique Middle Eastern taste. The locals, who were mostly long-time residents of Hakodate, were not well-versed in the happenings of Tokyo. They shared their experiences of taking the Hokutosei train to attend funerals in Tokyo and returning the same day. The rice ball with rock seaweed was a perfect way to end the meal. Overall, everything was incredibly delicious. My visit to Hakodate was definitely worth it. Thank you, and I hope to return again someday.

A popular restaurant run by a skilled chef. It's often crowded and some people may be turned away. The regular customers are friendly and the atmosphere is enjoyable for dining and drinking. The chef's carefully prepared meals are delicious. They offer a variety of local dishes. I would definitely visit again when I'm in Hakodate. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Located a little off the bustling downtown area near the station, I was recommended this small, cozy place by a local. The counter and seating area are small, but there were a few regular customers. I ordered some sashimi and squid, and they were delicious. The squid sashimi was slightly firm with a crunchy texture and a hint of sweetness when chewed. The creamy aftertaste I had imagined was not there, but the texture itself was enjoyable. The reason why the squid from Hakodate is so delicious is because the matured squid arrives in Hakodate waters around June after feeding on plankton in the East China Sea. The geographical factor of Hakodate allows for the best quality squid to be harvested. However, there have been shortages recently, so they sometimes have to source squid from nearby areas. The horse mackerel and sardine namero were also freshly made and delicious, with a perfect balance of flavors when paired with condiments. It seems that fish not found in Hokkaido are brought in from elsewhere, but all the dishes were enjoyable.

This shop has a sign of Kunimaro Oomura at the entrance. It gives off a lively and energetic vibe! It is located near the Hakodate Hikari Yatai Odori side street. The name of the shop is "Teppei," and it is run by a single middle-aged man who works diligently, so it may take some time to serve the food when it gets busy. Even though it may take a bit of time, I want to enjoy delicious food. There is a notice that says "No need for titles at the counter, and dirty jokes are prohibited." I think the recommended option is the chef's choice of three dishes (1,800 yen), but it's too much food for one person. I ordered only the simmered offal (500 yen) to see how it is, but before I knew it, the shop was fully packed. I will come back another time. By the way, it seems like this is a popular spot for the Hakodate Mokoto-kai group as there were group photos displayed on the walls.

I discovered an interesting shop in the Omote district, which is popular among tourists visiting Hakodate on business trips. The storefront had phrases like "Without winning any lottery or achieving success, the luck of being alive today" written on it, giving me a feeling that it would be an interesting shop. However, I couldn't see inside the shop, so I gathered my courage and visited alone. When I opened the sliding door, I saw a man and a woman around 60 years old chatting happily behind the counter. I asked, "Is it okay if I'm alone?" and the shop owner replied, "Yeah, it's fine!" without saying "Welcome". He gave off the image of a stubborn old man at a traditional Japanese pub. I ordered a draft beer, and in the kitchen at the back, there were about four people having a party in the tatami room. From the conversation with the shop owner, I could tell they were regular customers. The customers at the counter were also regulars for over 30 years. Although the shop owner only talked to the regulars, I decided to stay and order a dish before leaving. I ordered a simmered offal dish, which I used to eat a lot when I was in Tokyo. The shop owner replied with a simple "Okay", but there was no further conversation. I started with a Sapporo Classic draft beer and enjoyed the sweet and sour simmered saury as a starter. It was surprisingly lightly seasoned, almost like a Kansai-style dish, not typical of Hokkaido. Another dish I ordered was octopus in vinegar, which was refreshing and delicious. When my beer was about one-third left, the simmered offal dish arrived. It tasted similar to the one I used to eat in the downtown area of Tokyo, and it was delicious. Listening to the conversation between the regular customers at the counter, I learned that the shop owner used to run an okonomiyaki restaurant near Goryokaku. I found out that the party guests were ordering okonomiyaki. When the shop owner started preparing the okonomiyaki on the hot plate, he finally said, "You're a first-time customer, right?" I replied, "Yes, it's my first time here." He then said, "We usually only get first-time customers who are on business trips." Finally, the regular customers at the counter started talking to me, and I felt like I had finally been accepted into the shop. After enjoying some shochu and listening to the shop owner's stories about okonomiyaki, I left feeling satisfied. The shop owner has 40 years of experience in this field, having gained experience in Osaka, Tokyo, and elsewhere. I feel like saying, "I'm back again!" on my next visit.

There are many izakayas in Hakodate, but this place stands out as a reliable option serving good quality food. The owner manages the place alone, so during busy times, the food may take a bit longer to come out, but it's part of the charm! Located near Omote-dori Shopping Street, the restaurant has seating for 6 at the counter, 1 table, and a tatami room in the back. The menu features daily specials, although sometimes certain items may not be available. The sashimi is sourced from the market and is always of high quality.

I arrived in Hakodate with high expectations, but was disappointed to find that it was filled with touristy izakayas. After walking for over 30 minutes, I finally stumbled upon a restaurant with an intriguing exterior and mustered up the courage to go inside. The menu was extensive and the squid sashimi was thinly sliced and crunchy, incredibly delicious. The ankou soup (a type of fish soup) was unbelievably tasty. I saw the man next to me ordering it and decided to try it myself. It seems to be a type of fish that looks like this: http://www.jftoi.com/recipe3.html. Even though I was drinking alone, I couldn't help but keep saying "this is so good." This led to striking up a conversation and truly enjoying my time in Hakodate. *I wanted to take a photo, but felt it would be impolite so I refrained.

An old man running a small shop alone... At first, the impression was like this. I was the only customer as I entered right after they opened. It seemed like a good place to drink alone. I looked at the menu while the old man was busy behind the counter. There was a large blackboard in front of the shop filled with a variety of appetizers. Can this old man handle all of this alone? I spotted a homemade pickled mackerel and decided to try it with some cold sake (they had a lot of options). It was absolutely delicious. "I'm running this place alone, so it might take a while," said the old man. By the time my order arrived, more and more regular customers started coming in. The counter quickly filled up. I realized that this place was a hidden gem that I didn't know about. I ordered more appetizers and drinks like grilled ark shell and medium-fatty tuna, and enjoyed the night in Hakodate. There was also a small raised seating area in the back, suitable for small gatherings. The old man was constantly busy, but he managed everything with ease. If you want to drink alone, I recommend going right after they open.

Everything is super delicious.