I can't stay quiet at home on a day when I have to stay home, so I decided to wander around. I headed towards a shop that I was curious about, but looking at the map, I realized it was still quite a distance away. The heat made me give up halfway and I was drawn to the lights of this place. It was quiet, probably because it was a weekday. I started with a beer and some appetizers. The blackboard menu caught my eye, but I was told the mackerel was store-bought. I was recommended the garlic chicken gizzards, but I was worried about the portion size. I tried the chicken sashimi, which was semi-frozen and crunchy. I thought about ordering some yakitori as well. The heart skewers, chicken skewers, and pork skewers were all small in size. The pork was a bit tough, but had a nice charcoal flavor. A man came in later and asked if they had all-you-can-drink. It seems he was from a nearby government office. I overheard him asking about "Ganara High," which was actually spelled wrong on the menu board. I found out later that it was supposed to be "Canala High." I had fun watching TV on the raised seating area.

Back in my student days, there was a yakitori restaurant that I had always been curious about in a familiar area. It is located across from Gokoku Shrine, with an orange sign that gives off a traditional vibe. The restaurant is called "Kichitori" and it is also listed on the Asahikawa Shinkoyaki Association website. It is located at 2-3 Omachi, Asahikawa City, with operating hours from 5 pm to midnight, closed on Tuesdays. They have parking available and smoking is allowed. The sign is very eye-catching at night. Next to it is Yuki-chan Sushi, which moved here recently. Returning to Kichitori, when I entered, there were already four customers, two of whom seemed like regulars. The interior is old-fashioned, but the stove was working hard, keeping the place warm. The friendly mother brought out a delicious oden as a starter for 200 yen. It was warm and tasty. The menu was extensive, with various options besides yakitori. The menu had some items with a "*" mark, but the meaning was unclear. I couldn't find any explanation anywhere. They also offer takeout, banquets, and all-you-can-drink options. I came for the yakitori, so I started with some skewers: skin for 110 yen, heart for 110 yen, tail for 130 yen, and gizzard for 110 yen (prices are per skewer). All seasoned with salt. The prices were reasonable, and the meat was tender and well-seasoned. Even the gizzard was easy to eat. The chicken mayo skewer for 130 yen was unexpectedly good. Even if you're not a mayo fan, you might enjoy it. I also tried the salmon salad for 550 yen, which had smoked salmon and was quite satisfying. The fried oysters, not listed on the menu but on the blackboard, were crispy and flavorful. The oysters were a decent size. I also ordered the popular omurice for 650 yen, which was delicious with a perfect balance of ketchup and mayo on top of the fried rice. The husband was focused on grilling the chicken, while the mother was friendly and provided good service. The prices were slightly more affordable than other restaurants in the city center. I was impressed by the good distance they maintained while interacting with customers. I still have many more dishes I want to try, so I plan to revisit soon. Oh, I forgot to try the specialty dish, but that just gives me another reason to go back!

The taste is average but you can relax.

Yesterday, a few colleagues from work and I went to "Yakitori Dokoro Kicchoutei" in Asahikawa City, Oomachi 2-jo 3-chome. I have been seeing this place on my bus commute for the past 2 and a half years since I transferred to Asahikawa, and finally, I had the chance to visit. We tried various yakitori skewers, starting from 90 yen each. We also had "Liver Sashimi" and "Chicken Sashimi," which were 550 yen each if ordered separately, but 1,000 yen as a set. The liver sashimi was delicious without any unpleasant smell. We also had other dishes like tsubodai (fish) and ended with noodles. The noodles looked like soba, but they were actually different - more like udon. I can't remember the exact menu name, something like "Nagashi...something." I had a bit too much to drink, so my memory is a bit fuzzy... Overall, I'll give the restaurant a perfect score out of respect, even though it might seem disrespectful to the establishment. I hope this review helps introduce the place to others.