I tried Zangi for the first time. I had high expectations when I went, but when I poured the sauce and ate it, it was just fried chicken with sauce flavor. I think the fried chicken in Kyushu is tastier. I want to eat Kyushu fried chicken, but they don't have it in Musashi-Koyama. There are no bento shops or Chinese restaurants... I wish someone would make it here. I'm thinking of going back one more time.

I arrived at Musashi-Koyama. The purpose was to eat Zangi. Zangi is a type of fried chicken from Hokkaido, originating from Torimatsu in Kushiro City. The reason why the second branch is in Musashi-Koyama instead of the original location in Kushiro City is unknown. The destination was at the end of the arcade in the shopping street. The atmosphere of the restaurant was nice, with the door slightly open for ventilation. Normally open from 6 pm, but due to the state of emergency, they were closing at 8 pm, so they opened from 5 pm. There was only one customer before me. I sat at the counter near the entrance, where you could see the kitchen and preparation area. I looked at the menu and saw they had Zangi with bones and without bones. Being someone who grew up on Zubutogiri Karaage in Nakatsu, I chose the bone-in option. I ordered the Zangi with bones and also opted for a light dish of Gatsu sashimi. The counter had a quaint and charming feel to it, creating a comforting atmosphere. I started with a toast and some appetizers. I chose Sapporo beer, being from Hokkaido. The Gatsu sashimi was light, slightly firm, and had a good texture, pairing well with the special sauce. It really stimulated my appetite. The Zangi arrived, looking delicious. I observed them cutting the chicken, and it seemed they didn't marinate it beforehand. Being bone-in, the flavor from the bones was probably enough. I took a bite and it was delicious! It was juicy and flavorful, even without dipping it in sauce. I tried it with the Worcestershire sauce-like dip, and it was also good. I finished all four pieces quickly. This made me want a highball, so I ordered one. I decided to add some chicken dishes: chicken leg salt Zangi and chicken wing tip Karaage. I chose the chicken wing tips because I was in the mood for them. I was curious about the potato Zangi, but I decided to skip it this time. The chicken wing tips arrived, looking tasty! The coating felt like it had some breadcrumbs. It was good on its own but even better with a sprinkle of salt. I've been to Hokkaido many times, even to Kushiro twice. I regret not consciously trying the fried chicken during those visits. I hope to try it at the Kushiro main branch someday.

I went there a long time ago so I forgot the taste, but I ordered the bone-in Zangi for takeout. They have been offering takeout for a while. The meat is tender and the outside is crispy. It's delicious even without the sauce. The sauce is sweet, so it changes the taste completely when you dip it in. It's more like a sweet sauce than a dip. If you dip too much, you'll only taste the sauce, so go little by little. They also had boneless options, but the meat around the bone is the best, so I think bone-in is the way to go!

I felt like having Genghis Khan, so I went to a bar in Musashikoyama. You can choose between cooking the Genghis Khan yourself or leaving it to the chef. The Zangi was delicious, it seemed to be a specialty, and the special sauce was exquisite. I also recommend the combination of scallops and flying fish.

Last time, I bought it to enjoy on the Shinkansen, but this time I brought it home to share with my wife. I had boneless Zangi last time, so this time I tried the bone-in Zangi and salt Zangi. The salt Zangi is like chicken tonkatsu and it's incredibly delicious. As a non-smoker, I was a bit disappointed that the restaurant wasn't smoke-free, but they offer takeout which makes up for it. I will definitely be ordering from here again.

In front of me, there is a shop that cuts and fries Zangi and serves Genghis Khan and other Kushiro dishes. The shop is packed with locals even during Golden Week. We ordered Zangi with bones or boneless, Genghis Khan for two, and Hoppy. It was amazing. We also added Hatsumoto's green pepper ponzu, smoked shishamo, and chicken wing Zangi. To finish, we had freshly grated mountain wasabi with rice. It was so delicious and cost-effective! We will definitely visit again!

Freshly fried Zangi is crispy and juicy, it's the best! It's so addictive. Goes well with beer ♡

My wife and I dropped by the restaurant. We had 2 pig feet, sliced turban shell sashimi, boneless fried chicken, salted fried chicken thighs, mountain wasabi rice, and another dish whose name I forgot. Everything was delicious. The drinks were a bit on the pricier side, but the food left a great impression. I would like to visit again. I especially loved the pig feet, and it's great to be able to enjoy them nearby.

I had always wanted to visit Kushiro to try the original Zangi from a famous restaurant. The taste of Zangi suited me perfectly, and the lamb meat was delicious too. It seems to be a very popular restaurant, and I was lucky to have stumbled upon it late in the evening. I ended up going to other places for drinks before and after this restaurant, making it a fun night out.

A unique restaurant in Hokkaido that focuses on Zangi, a deep-fried chicken dish. They also offer authentic Genghis Khan (grilled mutton), making it a great choice for those seeking Hokkaido flavors. The restaurant is located on the outskirts of Musashi-Koyama Palm 2, a bit hard to notice. The counter has a cool vibe with a fryer full of black oil. The owner and staff are friendly, and they share interesting stories. The customers seem to be quite fond of Hokkaido. The worn-out counter has a charming vintage look. Zangi originated from a shop called Torimatsu in Kushiro, which used to be a yakitori restaurant. They started serving chopped-up fried chicken, which eventually became known as Zangi. The name Zangi is said to be a distortion of the Chinese word "zhájī" (fried chicken). In simple terms, it's chicken pieces deep-fried and seasoned with soy sauce and other seasonings. Nowadays, people in Hokkaido mostly refer to it as simply "karaage" (fried chicken). Kushiro Shokudo received guidance from Torimatsu and learned the secret frying oil, which is a key element. The menu includes Zangi, boiled octopus head, boiled sake, and other nostalgic dishes, but the highlight is definitely the Zangi. Personally, I love the chicken wing Zangi, but the Naruto and Tome wings offer better value. Among them, the chicken thigh salt Zangi stands out with its thick and juicy meat, packing a punch. Despite its appearance, it's light and satisfying. Drinks are a bit pricey, especially considering there's a nearby place called "Torayoshi." The cost-effectiveness depends on what you order. The chicken thigh salt Zangi and a glass of sake offer good value, similar to the evening set menu. However, if the drink is over 500 yen, it may feel a bit expensive. Overall, a must-visit for Zangi fans, but perhaps focusing too much on Zangi might be questionable. If you want to experience a taste of Hokkaido, Kushiro Shokudo is recommended.

■■■Revisited in January 2017■■■ After drinking with Tora-san and Hinata-san, the third stop was here. When I visited before, I had tried the Genghis Khan dish, but later when it was introduced on "Yuyake Sakaba," it was mentioned that the Zangi here is said to be directly passed down from Torimatsu in Kushiro, known as the birthplace of Zangi. It was around 7:45 pm when we arrived, and luckily we managed to snag seats at the counter. I started with a freshly squeezed lemon sour (450 yen). The fresh acidity was refreshing. The appetizer was a simmered dish. The dishes we ordered were: - Zangi with bones (720 yen) - Chilled tomato (380 yen) - Grilled lamb shoulder meat (1,250 yen) The main purpose of this visit was the Zangi. It seems that having bones adds to the flavor. Personally, I enjoy nibbling on the bones while eating, so if there is an option between bone-in and boneless, I usually go for bone-in. I learned at Yuyake Sakaba that they pour extra oil over the Zangi, following the direct method from Torimatsu, the originator. It seems that even in Hokkaido, many Zangi dishes are not made using the authentic method. So, it turns out that Hokkaido's Karaage is not the same as Zangi, and there is a distinction between the two. The Zangi was flavorful and delicious, with a striking resemblance to Torimatsu's version in terms of color and appearance. Since I was lacking vegetables that day, I replenished with tomatoes. Although I had tried Genghis Khan during my previous visit, I still wanted to have lamb meat. We ordered the grilled lamb shoulder meat, which was lightly seared and oozing with meat juices, making it delicious. When I mentioned Torimatsu to the owner, I got to hear various stories about Torimatsu and Kushiro. In particular, the anecdotes about Torimatsu were quite amusing. Since I had previously gone drinking in Kushiro, we also had a lively discussion about Kushiro. The conversation was so enjoyable that I unusually only had one drink. We ended up staying for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Considering the limited number of orders, I felt a bit guilty for spending less than 2,000 yen per person. However, I was glad to have had a fun time eating and drinking. Thank you for the meal.

Kushiro Shokudo (Musashi Koyama) is a small restaurant with a cozy atmosphere. It's known for its delicious fried chicken, and many regular customers come here to drink. The staff is friendly and welcoming. I recommend trying their famous fried chicken, which is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a nice salty flavor. The pork belly skewers are also a must-try, as they are large and satisfying.

On this day in July 2015, I visited Musashi-Koyama. Although I had already eaten, there was a dish I wanted to buy for takeout. I found a restaurant called "Kushiro Shokudo" in the shopping street, right next to the famous "Takada Dojo". I had been wanting to visit this place because their Zangi was featured in "Hanako No. 1090" as one of the top three dishes. I saw a sign outside the store saying they offer takeout, so I went in and told the chef that I wanted to order for takeout. I was asked to wait at the counter, and then I was invited inside the restaurant. I purchased the Zangi (deep-fried chicken with bones) for 720 yen including tax. I didn't have much memory of eating Zangi before, so I was excited to try it. The chicken was cut into pieces with bones and mixed with grated ginger in a bowl. It was then deep-fried in lard, and the sound of frying made me even more hungry. The chef asked if I was taking the train, and he wrapped the container in plastic wrap to prevent any smell from escaping. When I got home, I enjoyed the Zangi with the sauce provided. The sauce had a strong flavor and really added to the dish. According to Hanako, the chef received a 55-year-old marinated sauce and frying oil from Torimatsu in Hokkaido when he opened his own restaurant. The sauce was the key to the dish. Although there was less meat due to the bones, I found the Zangi to be delicious. There were other tempting dishes on the menu, so I look forward to dining in at the restaurant next time.

After drinking at a bar in Musashi-Koyama, the fourth stop was at this local Kushiro cuisine restaurant. Lately, it seems common to pair horumon yakiniku or Genghis Khan with drinks. While yakiniku is usually enjoyed with rice, horumon and Genghis Khan are more suited for drinking. This place opens at 6 pm, so I took a stroll around the Musashi-Koyama shopping street before heading there. Although I was curious about zangi, I had already decided to order Genghis Khan here. While waiting for the dish to be prepared, I had a Sapporo Lager and chilled tofu as an appetizer. The Genghis Khan portion was quite generous, with plenty of vegetables and beautifully pink lamb meat. When I started grilling the vegetables, the lady next to me, who turned out to be from Kushiro, started giving me tips on how to cook it. She mentioned that she doesn't usually eat Genghis Khan here, but felt like having it today. Despite her flashy appearance, we had a lively conversation. When I mentioned a restaurant I visited in Kushiro while drinking, she said, "You know it well." It feels good to be recognized by someone from your hometown, and it's also nice to receive such comments. The lamb meat in the Genghis Khan was tender and delicious. While I usually enjoy the strong and gamey taste of mutton, this was also very good. The vegetables soaked in the meat juices were also tasty. When my beer ran out, I ordered a fresh lemon sour. I like the bitterness in my drinks, so I enjoyed the lemon sour. Since I came here specifically for the Genghis Khan, that was all I had this time, but I would like to try the zangi next time. After about an hour, the bill came out to just under 2,000 yen per person. It was a delicious meal.

Yesterday (9/14/2012), two of us went to this restaurant. We were looking for a place to eat Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) and found this Kushiro Shokudo online. It was my first time getting off at Musashi-Koyama Station, and the area had a lively atmosphere with standing bars and izakayas crowded around. We walked straight down the shopping street for about 3-4 minutes, most of the shops were closed but we found Kushiro Shokudo with its sign still lit up. Despite expecting an izakaya vibe, the restaurant had a slightly Western feel with a counter and chairs. Two men were running the place, and there seemed to be a second floor as well. Two groups of four were dining there when we arrived, and the counter filled up with three more groups while we were there. We ordered the Genghis Khan, which happened to be made with fresh lamb that day, priced at 1250 yen compared to the usual 1000 yen. It had a milky flavor as promised and the meat was thick and chewy, very delicious. We also tried the Zangi, a specialty of the Kushiro Shokudo, priced at 720 yen. It was absolutely amazing - crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, with a deep-fried batter that had a rich color. The owner mentioned that they inherited the frying oil from a famous Zangi shop in Kushiro, which had been aged for over 40 years, giving it a unique flavor. We also tried the liver sashimi, which was delicious. Overall, we enjoyed various dishes along with drinks like Hoppy and lemon sour, and the total bill came to just over 8000 yen for the two of us. It was a delightful experience with delicious food and friendly staff. Thank you for the wonderful meal yesterday.

This place is located to the left after crossing Route 26, following the Palm Shopping Street which splits into two paths when you exit the station to the right. I finally visited this place after hearing from a friend about the delicious "Zangi" they serve, after about a year! I immediately ordered the "Zangi" and also tried the Gatsu sashimi. The menu had a variety of fish and shellfish options, including Gatsu. The Gatsu sashimi had a nice crunchy texture and flavor. The "Zangi" arrived and it was okay, maybe just a matter of personal preference. I also ordered the Hocke which had a great taste and portion size. Overall, the impression of this place was attacking with fish and enjoying the "Zangi" as a snack. Being a Kushiro restaurant, they are naturally good with fish. It's quite close to my home, so I will definitely go back. Thank you for the meal!