The Next Food Craze From Asahikawa - Places to Try Salted Offal in Hokkaido Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

The Next Food Craze From Asahikawa - Places to Try Salted Offal in Hokkaido

Blessed with great scenery, the city of Asahikawa is among one of the most popular travel destinations in Hokkaido. While they are most famous for their ramen (noodles), a new favorite is vying to become a local specialty - the shio horumon (salted offal). It originated in Asahikawa, and has began to draw interest all over the country. Here are some recommended restaurants in Hokkaido where you can try this hot new specialty!

See full listings of Yakiniku restaurants found in and around Hokkaido.

1. Sumiyaki Club YAMADORI

Established over 35 years ago, Sumiyaki Club YAMADORI is a popular yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant that serves charcoal-grilled Furano Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef). One of their most popular dishes is the [Shiokouji Horumon]. The offal is soaked in locally acquired shiokoji (fermented condiment made of salt, water, and koji mold), which results in a rich yet refreshing flavor. You just won’t be able to stop eating it!

The koji that they buy locally is used to make their original sauce, which acts as the marinade in the [Shiokouji Horumon].

Horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table) seats are available, so customers can stretch their legs and relax.

Sumiyaki Club YAMADORI

Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Exit Furano station and walk to the right for 2 minutes. Turn left and it is on your right.
Address: 4-22 Asahimachi, Furano, Hokkaido (Map)
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2. Northern Beef

[Shio Horumon] is a popular item in this well-known yakiniku restaurant in Takikawa-shi. At Northern Beef, they use meat from black cattle that's certified by the United States Department of Agriculture, which accounts for just 20% of all Angus beef. A distinguishing characteristic of Angus beef is its tenderness. Their highly recommended 90-minute all-you-can-eat course comes with 11 different items for only 1,580 JPY!

Their horumon is especially popular, as it has a refreshing flavor and is rich in collagen.

No need to worry about strong smells and smoke here! This restaurant is equipped with the latest ventilation system.

Northern Beef

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed: Monday, National Holidays
Average price: 2,000 JPY
Access: Right next to the parking lot of TSUTAYA
Address: 2-9-12, Shin-machi, Takikawa-shi, Hokkaido Map
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3. Nanshiru

Regulars really enjoy the [Shio Horumon] at this Korean restaurant, which even Korean people have praised. They also offer authentic Korean cuisine, such as [Samgyetang] (chicken ginseng soup) and Korean BBQ, which comes with a to-die-for, 50-year-old secret sauce that's loved by everyone, especially locals. The secret to this restaurant’s success is not only due to it being bright, clean, and stylish, but also from the excellent service provided by the cheerful staff!

Besides [Shio Horumon], this restaurant also offers other dishes that use offal, such as stews.

Both table seats and private rooms are available for guests to choose from.

Nanshiru

Open: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesday of each month
Average price: 2,500 JPY
Access: 2 - 3 minutes from the Monbetsu Bus Terminal
Address: 5-2-13, Saiwai-cho, Monbetsu-shi, Hokkaido Map
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4. Yakiniku Dining Champion

Yakiniku Dining Champion is popular with everyone. Meat-lovers will surely jump for joy when they see the wide variety of options on the menu - especially the locally produced Shireto beef! There are people who travel from afar just to sample their extensive menu. A wide variety of pork and chicken dishes are also available, but one of the stars is the [Champion Motsunabe] (hot pot with offal and vegetables).

It may look like miso, but it is actually salt-flavored. You won’t be able to get enough of this dish!

Private rooms are also available - perfect for parties!

Yakiniku Dining Champion

Open: [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Tuesday - Friday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Every Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY *Their Banquet Course with an all-you-can-drink option costs only 3,980 JPY! Available for groups of 8 people or more.
Access: Exit at Bihoro Station and continue along Japan National Route 39. Located within the grounds of Pachinko Towa.
Address: 2-3-8, Hinode, Bihoro-cho, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaido

5. Horumon Yakiniku Marusho Eki-mae Branch

"Cheap yet delicious" is the motto of this particular barbecue joint. Located in Kitami-shi, which is one of the few yakiniku battlegrounds in Hokkaido, this restaurant manages to rise above the rest thanks to its great reputation among the locals. The menu consists not only of handpicked hanging tender and yakiniku, but also of comfort foods like the [Special Charcoal-grilled BBQ Pork on Rice] or [Grilled Curry].

Light and refreshing, many customers pair this with a glass of their preferred alcohol.

They have both table seats and private rooms.

Horumon Yakiniku Marusho Eki-mae Branch

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Access: Exit Kitami Station and continue along the road in front of you. You will soon see the restaurant on the right-hand side.
Address: 1F, Kitami No.1 Bldg., Kita 1-jo Higashi 1-chome, Kitami-shi, Hokkaido Map)
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6. Nishiman

The locals of Asahikawa absolutely love the main dishes of this specialty restaurant! Customers flock here to enjoy extremely fresh horumon, alongside teppanyaki cuisine (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle). It goes without saying that one of the most popular items is the [Shio Horumon]. Grilled over charcoal, the exterior is aromatic, while the interior is beautifully succulent. Alcohol pairs perfectly with it!

Their incredibly fresh [Shio Horumon (Pork or Beef)] has a satisfying texture and lots of sweet umami (Japanese savory taste) that will leave you craving for more!

The interior has a modern vibe. For special occasions, there are semi-private areas separated by bamboo partitions.

Nishiman

Open: 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Access: Inside Gin Bldg., which is beside Ginza Shopping Street.
Address: 1F, Nichiei Bldg., Sanjo-dori 15-chome, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido

7. Horumon & Teppanyaki Nishiman

Here, you can find firm and crunchy horumon that's packed full of umami! This restaurant is very easy to get to due to its location right next to Asahikawayojo Station. Enjoy classic [Shio Horumon], cooked to perfection the way that only a teppanyaki restaurant can! The offal they use each day comes from animals slaughtered that morning. Tuck into piles of offal to your stomach's content!