Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Ask any Hakodate native about the most recognizable local restaurant and the answer will surely be Lucky Pierrot. Generally featuring an off-beat exterior with oversized clown motives everywhere, the chain boasts a total of 17 locations throughout the city. The menu is surprisingly varied, including the signature Hamburgers but also Curry Rice, Pork Cutlet Rice Bowls, and Soft-serve. Their most famous dish remains the “Chinese Chicken Burger”, which features a healthy portion of fried chicken slathered in a combination of Chinese-style “Yu Lin Chi” sauce and mayonnaise. The quirky chain’s status was elevated in 2009 when famous Japanese business newspaper Nikkei named it the country’s best local burger.

Ajisai is without a doubt the most famous local Ramen shop in Hakodate. Their house specialty is the “Ajisai Shio Ramen”: the dish uses a kelp-based clear soup that has a surprisingly rich flavor, which comes from the added tonkotsu (pork bone) and chicken stock. The smooth, straight noodles are a perfect match for the broth. With such a strong base to work with, it only makes sense that the toppings are held simple and include the ubiquitous Cha Siu (roast pork fillet) and a soft-boiled egg. The clean but satisfying taste makes the dish a perfect option for those late-night munchies after some drinks on the town.  

Known by locals as the Jolly-Jelly, the American-style diner Jolly Jellyfish was established in 1982 and has been popular ever since. It is located about a 20-minute drive from Hakodate Station on the first floor of the hipster-styled mall South Cedar Drive Inn. The diner’s signature dish is without a doubt the Steak Pilaf. The buttery rice pilaf is topped with a juicy cut of Sirloin Steak, with the shop’s original sauce – featuring the famous “Trappist Butter” (butter fermented in Hokkaido) – adding the finishing touch. Naturally, the steak is cooked to order, ensuring you will have a cut of meat perfectly suited to your taste.  

In Japan, Yakitori generally refers to grilled skewered chicken. This is turned on its head in Southern Hokkaido, where it actually refers to pork. The place to try this dish is definitely Hasegawa Store, where a bowl of rice topped with seaweed and grilled pork skewers makes up their “Yakitori Bento”. While this sounds simple at first, you will be surprised at the attention to detail with which each ingredient is prepared. For instance, the pork is prepared with red wine, the secret ingredient giving the meat its mellow but rich taste. Furthermore, you can choose the seasoning to your liking – options include classic teriyaki-style sauce, a saltier variant, miso sauce, the so-called “uma-kara” (a blend of spice and umami), and simply salt. The latter is actually what local foodies prefer, as it features a hint of garlic to round off the dish nicely.

Opening in 1837, Yamasa Miyahara is probably one of the older continuously operating stores in all of Hokkaido. It is located centrally in Hakodate, being just a stone’s throw away from the tram stop Jujigai. You will want to try the Tamanegi Karaage (fried onion), which features locally produced onion together with a minced fish paste including pollack and bream. The crispy texture of the batter is balanced out perfectly with the sweetness of the ingredients, making this a thoroughly enjoyable snack. You can even bring them back home for a tasty souvenir, as the store also sells sets of three vacuum packed. 

For a more modern dessert, you can’t miss HAKODATE PASTRY SNAFFLE’S and their signature “Cheese Omelet”. Don’t let the name deceive you, however, as this is actually a cheesecake. Once you take a bite you will be greeted by a rich, delicious taste, with the signature fluffiness ensuring the cake basically melts in your mouth. As a fresh dairy product, it will only last about a week refrigerated – so you will want to eat it while you are in town!

The main restaurant of famed uni (sea urchin) specialist, Uni Murakami, is located just five minutes on foot from JR Hakodate Station. The restaurant’s menu revolves around uni dishes carefully crafted by professionals who know everything about these creamy delicacies. You can expect classic uni rice bowls, uni croquettes, and unique dishes like sea urchin gratin (served in spiky shells) that are chock-full of the sweet and rich taste of uni – and are made without any added preservatives. At Uni Murakami you can also enjoy Hakodate’s specialty squid sashimi and various other dishes made with freshly caught fish.  

Hakodate Daimon Yokocho is a collection of 26 bars and eateries in downtown Hakodate. Located directly in front of the Hakodate JR Station, the strip includes a wide variety of cuisines, including sushi, crab, tempura, yakitori, kushikatsu, Jingisukan, Korean food, ramen, and more! Because of its convenient location next to the famous Hakodate Morning Market, Daimon Alley’s restaurants are amply supplied with the freshest ingredients daily. Most establishments are little more than a small counter area which lends to the cozy atmosphere where customers dine and drink shoulder to shoulder.