Sapporo | Sushi Zanmai (すしざんまい)

5th July 2013.
Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
Here in Singapore, we have Itacho Sushi, but in Japan, there is Sushi Zanmai where you can get sushi at an affordable price. Sushi Zanmai’s outlet in Sapporo is located in Susukino, near the Nikka Building and the station itself.

Here are Sushi Zanmai you could order just about any kind of sushi from the usual classics like tuna, mackerel, sweet prawn and scallop to more exotic items like squilla and abalone nigiri sushi.

It is my first time trying Squilla also known as shako in Japanese. It is a kind of mantis shrimp and tasted really good, like a meatier version of the ebi and comes served with some sweet sauce drizzled on it.

Along with the squilla, we also had an assortment of sushi such as Aji (Horse Mackerel) and Saba (Mackerel), most of them costing 148 – 400+ Yen each.  Overall, I had an enjoyable meal with my Japanese friends whom I met during my exchange in Korea.

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Sushi Zanmai (Susukino)

すしざんまい すすきの店

〒064-0804

北海道札幌市

中央区南４条西3-9　北星ビル1F

Sushizanmai Susukino-ten

Hokusei bldg1F 9 Minami4jyounishi 1

Tyuou-ku sapporo-city hokkaidou 047-0027

Sapporo | Asahi Beer Community Hall Yoyotei

5th July 2013

Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

When you think of Asahi, you probably think of Japanese beers but they also have restaurants named Asahi Beer Community Halls around Japan. It is not so much about drinking beer at these restaurants but more of eating meat either by grill or shabu shabu. Our dinner on the first day with the Chan Brothers’ Hokkaido Passion tour was at the Asahi Beer Community Hall Yōyōtei (アサヒビール園 羊々亭) at in the Susukino district of Sapporo, just opposite the iconic Nikka Building.

The thinly sliced pork slices here are really tender and doesn’t have any of that strong “meaty” aftertaste. It is best enjoyed with vegetables and condiments such as their goma or ponzu sauce. Dinner’s not bad in short.

Outside, political parties are trying to pull some votes for the 2013 Upper House Elections.

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Asahi Beer Community Hall Yoyotei

アサヒビール園羊々亭

松岡ビル5F, 4 Chome Minami 4 Jonishi, 

Chuo Ward, Sapporo

Hokkaido Prefecture 064-0804

Japan

Otaru | Le Tao Cheese Cake Lab

5th July 2013.

Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan

Otaru is supposedly known for its pastries and confectionaries as well and there is a cluster of such shops around Sakaimachi. Our tour guide told us that Le Tao chocolates are more popular than Royce chocolates here. Besides chocolates, Le Tao also have a number of shops specializing in cakes to chocolates around Sakaimachi.

My mum and I decided to have cakes at the Le Tao  Cheese Cake Lab (ルタオ チーズケーキ ラボ) Despite its 3.17 rtabelog rating, I though the cheesecakes here are rather decent. We got the Lab Special (840 JPY) which includes two of their signature cheesecakes (Original and Chocolate) and a seasonal cheesecake as well as a cup of coffee.  Their seasonal cheesecake is a Coffee Cheesecake. You would enjoy their cheesecakes if you like a heavier milk flavour and a richer flavour. However, I thought they could be smoother.

Le Tao  Cheese Cake Lab

ルタオ チーズケーキ ラボ

〒047-0027
北海道小樽市堺町6番13号

Otaru Seaport | 小樽シーポートマーケット

5th July 2013.

Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan.

My first meal on the Hokkaido Passion tour with Chan Brothers was at Otaru Seaport (小樽シーポートマーケット) , a restaurant cum market specializes in seafood. The Chanko Nabe Ozeki or Seafood Nabe  was average at best. The seafood which includes king crab and salmon were obviously frozen but the soup was passable. The furikake for the rice wasn’t good because it reeks of MSG. Our tour guide was honest about the food though. In the tour some of the other members purchased more ingredients such as fresh king crabs downstairs. You must be willing to fork out some 20000-40000 JPY for one though.

Otaru Seaport
小樽シーポートマーケット