Our taxi driver was a great tourist guide indeed and he was well informed with general knowledge. He told us that Hakodate and Hokkaido in general is rich with agricultural, dairy, and seafood products. Hakodate is famed for its huge octopus/calamari and large hairy crabs and it is also a major centre for tuna. However he warned that the tuna can be a little pricey. He told us that at the moment, salmon roe was in season. Hokkaido is also famous for its cheese.
We told him to recommend a restaurant and told him we are game to try local dishes. He drove us to an 'izakaya' where the local crowd go to. And we were very happy with his recommendation. And it was indeed a popular joint as we had to wait in queue for about 30 minutes before we could get 3 seats at the bar.
An 'izakaya' is a local pub or bar where food is served in small portions. It is very much like the 'tapas' bar in Spain or Portugal actually. This 'izakaya' looked like a family-run establishment. The elderly lady who served us was probably the mother and her sons cooked while the daughters took the orders and looked after the till.
the 'starter/appetiser' was on the house....the Yebisu black was sweet and easy to drink..
salad with anchovy fry ( anak ikan bilis)....
the oysters fresh and large...
salmon roe and sea urchin on a bowl of rice....salmon roe was in season....
baked crab meat and crab brain....
dried fish which was grilled...
baked crab meat and crab brain....
dried fish which was grilled...the flesh of this ikan kering was surprisingly still tender....
deep fried octopus tails or legs...
deep fried potato....
deep fried cheese 'popiah'....
the few tempuras left before pakdokter remembered to take the shot...
well, see how satisfied we all looked....
deep fried octopus tails or legs...
deep fried potato....
deep fried cheese 'popiah'....
the few tempuras left before pakdokter remembered to take the shot...
well, see how satisfied we all looked....
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