The 10 Best Japanese Restaurants in Daimon Yokocho, Hokkaido

Hakodate, Hokkaido is the one of the most gourmet cities in Japan. Among the many attractions of Hakodate, one place you can’t miss is the retro nostalgic Daimon Yokocho. You won’t be disappointed! Here are our recommendations.

What is Daimon Yokocho, a hotspot of Yatai alleys in Hakodate?

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Daimon Yokocho is known for narrow alleys with many Yatai restaurants (Yatai usually means street restaurants, small and cosy), located 3 mins walk in front of Hakodate station. The area was created to regenerate Hakodate after many industries declined around the city.

Around 26 restaurants are situated in these narrow alleys, you will find Izakaya (great selection of drinks and food), Ramen, Sushi, Mongolian BBQ and many more, using great locally sourced ingredients. Here is our choice of the best top 10 restaurants in Daimon Yokocho.

1. Ramujin

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Mongolian BBQ is one of Hokkaido’s specialities and if you are not keen of lamb, Ramujin might convert you completely!

Try their lamb loin marinated in original sauce. It’s incredible. Lamb sausage is another great dish. But the value set menu is sliced chuck loin/chuck roll with vegetables to grill for only ￥1,980/2 people.

2. Yamataichi

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Are you a fish lover? Then this is the place for you. If you are lucky enough to travel to Hakodate from June to December, you got to try the super fresh squid sashimi in Yamataichi.

They will cook live squid at the restaurant. But their famous dish is grated Japanese wild yam with wheat-mixed rice. Japanese wild yam is highly nutritious and very rare.

3. Kushikin

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Kushi-age is deep fried skewered pork or vegetables, coated with fine Panko breadcrumbs.

It sounds heavy, but Kushikin’s Kushi-age is light and you will forget to count how much you’ve ordered, and as a result, you’ll end up with a pile of skewers! 1 skewer is reasonably priced at ￥100 and a glass of beer costs ￥250!!! I am speechless…….

4. La Buvette

You might be surprised to find a French bistro in Daimon Yokocho. It feels out of place, but the dishes are all proper French food and it’s worth visiting.

The chef grills home made ham and sausage (no additives) in the front of you. So appetizing! Four kinds of original sausage costs ￥1,500. Seasonal vegetable dishes are equally good.

5. Hakodate Ikaya

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Gyoza is getting very popular and now you can see Gyoza bars / restaurants around all over the world. Here, you get tastes of innovative Gyoza with great Hokkaido produce. Ikaya means squid house, and as you guessed, their popular dish is deep black squid ink Gyoza (￥430).

The Gyoza which is stuffed full of minced squid is juicy and with an unforgettable texture. They have many more creative squid dishes as well as unique Gyoza such as potato Gyoza (￥420) and Gome Kombu Gyoza (￥450).

6. Zakotei

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Heavenly fresh crab meat, sea urchin, Ikura…….my mouth is watering! Zakotei offers high quality seafood in reasonable price.

For lunch you can choose from the many set menus and Donburi (rice bowl with various toppings). In the evening, you have a set menu for ￥1,540, including 5 pieces of Sushi, 2 sashimi dishes and a side dish.

7. Kanenaka

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Oden is a typical Japanese winter stew, with ingredients such as fish cake, egg and Daikon (Japanese radish) are cooked in a large pot and simmered for a long time. Kanenaka’s Oden is extra stocky as they use Kombu seaweed and bonito flakes for the Oden stock.

Choose whatever you want from Oden pot and you will be charged per ingredients, usually between ￥100 – 300. Other menu is also available such as Calamari and beef stew.

8. Hakodate Ramen, Ryuho

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The distinctive character of Hakodate Ramens is to have a crystal clear soup, it’s light and healthy.

Ryuho Ramen goes beyond that, by adding chicken oil, and it gives the soup a golden shine. It is an absolute pleasure to look at and also to eat it! The Ramen costs ￥750.

9. Kotobukitei

This is another way to enjoy Hakodate’s wonderful seafood. Each table has a charcoal pot in the centre and the customer cooks their own seafood or meat.

It’s a great way to share food. Another Hokkaido speciality, Ikameshi, squid stuffed with sticky rice is also available.

10. Sakura

Run by a market fishmonger in Hakodate, Sakura offers a variety of seafood in many ways. They really know how to make the most out of the local catch.

Try the assorted Sashimi platter to start with, then move on to more adventurous dishes such as grilled crab shell. Highly recommended!

Information for Daimon Yokocho

Name:
Daimon Yokocho

Address:
Hokkaido Prefecture, Hakodate, Matsukazecho, 7

Access
5 mins walk from JR Hakodate station

Website:
http://www.hakodate-yatai.com

Discover amazing restaurants in Daimon Yokocho!

How was your virtual experience of Daimon Yokocho? As well as the above 10 restaurants, there are many other fantastic places to eat in the alleys. Most of all, they are all reasonable. Some establishments have English and Chinese menus, so its’ worth asking. We wish you a very good journey to Hakodate and enjoy what Daimon Yokocho can offer.