■Hasegawa Store's Holy Land: Bay Area Store

Currently a hot topic as a B-grade gourmet food in Hakodate! Hasegawa Store's "Yakitori Bento" (grilled chicken bento box).
First-time visitors to the store are immediately captivated by the giant sign that looks exactly like a bento box package.
Hasegawa Store, affectionately known as "Hasesto," is a local gourmet shop with 14 locations in and around Hakodate.

What is this popular bento box that has impressed the taste buds of locals and tourists alike? We delve into the reasons behind its enduring popularity!

Table of contents
1. The origins of the "Yakitori Bento"!?
2. Is "Hasegawa Store" a convenience store? Or a yakitori restaurant?
3. Introducing the types of flavors and sizes.
4. This is the most popular item: the "Yakitori Bento"
5. Please enjoy it according to the correct way of eating it.
6. Conclusion

■Yakitori? Isn't this pork...?

Hasegawa Store's "Yakitori Bento" was created in Hakodate in 1978.
Apparently, the current chairman of Hasegawa Store offered this "yakitori bento" (grilled chicken bento) on the spot to customers at the store back then.

Many people might find it contradictory to call pork yakitori in the first place, but in the southern Hokkaido region, both chicken skewers and pork skewers are called "yakitori."

It may seem strange, but when it comes to eating yakitori, the conversation naturally goes something like, "Do you prefer pork or chicken?"
The term "yakitori" refers to meat that has been skewered.

■The interior looks like a convenience store at first glance.

Looking around the store, I see a wide variety of drinks and snacks, making it look like a regular convenience store.
In the bright and clean store, you can see the staff cheerfully ringing up items at the register.

■A product selection geared towards tourists

I could see the unique characteristics of a tourist destination. Products related to Hokkaido were displayed in the main section.
Products include "Co-up Guarana," a drink born in Brazil and raised in Hakodate, and instant ramen made with Hakodate salt.

Local foods that make great souvenirs are prominently featured.

■ Spacious cooking area (Bay Area store)

The most obvious difference from a regular convenience store is the size of the cooking area. It has an open design that gives you a sense of the cooking process.

■ Yakitori grilled on a grill

The yakitori served at Hasegawa Store is grilled one skewer at a time right in front of the store.
The staff carefully turns the skewers and grills them meticulously, flavoring them with Hakodate wine.

The yakitori bento boxes are not made in advance; they are prepared fresh and piping hot only after an order is placed.

■ You can also purchase "yakitori" (grilled chicken skewers) individually.

If you're purchasing individual items, you can also choose from the hot display case located in front of the cooking area.

Apparently, many people buy it as a snack to go with alcoholic beverages.
It looks like you can enjoy a different flavor each time.

■Eat-in space available (Bay Area store)

After filling out the order form at the counter on the right side of the photo, you pay at the register.

Of course, takeout is available, but some stores also have eat-in spaces, so you can enjoy your freshly made, piping hot meal right there.

■Choose from 4 flavors

With a variety of options including sauce, salt, salt-based sauce, and spicy, you'll want to try them all.

■Available in 4 sizes

In addition, you can enjoy a variety of "yakitori bento" options, such as a mixed vegetable option and the "Yakitori Bento W" which allows you to enjoy both sauce and salt.

My desires are endless, wanting this and that.

■Freshly made, piping hot "Yakitori Bento"

This is our overwhelmingly popular No. 1 item: Yakitori Bento (small) with sauce, 445 yen (tax included).
I completely understand wanting to start with a plain type.

And the price is incredibly reasonable; you even get change back from a single coin.

■The meat is shiny and glossy.

Look at this glossy shine! Three delicious-looking pieces of pork, marinated in our secret sauce and grilled, are lined up side by side.

It consists of pork + green onions + pork + green onions + pork.

■ Are there grooves around the rim of the container?

Q. Is there a correct way to eat a bento box? A. Yes, there is.

Here's a lesson on how to eat a "yakitori bento" (grilled chicken bento box).
First, take a look at the grooves around the edge of the container. These aren't just there to stabilize the skewers.

■ Let's close the lid for now.

Align the skewer with the groove and close the lid. Is everything okay so far?
Now, let's pull the skewers out and drop the ingredients into the container.

■Finished product

Remove the meat from all three skewers using the same method.
The meat didn't stick to the skewers stubbornly, and I was able to easily drop it onto them.

Now the preparation for eating it correctly is complete. Let's add the included pickled ginger and enjoy!

■The sauce soaked into the rice...the sauce...

Slurp, slurp, the secret sweet and spicy sauce goes perfectly with the rice.
The nori seaweed, cut into easy-to-eat pieces, is thoroughly soaked in our secret sauce.

I was able to enjoy every last grain.

■Due to its immense popularity, original merchandise is now available!

For those of you who have become big fans of "Yakitori Bento," we also have these delightful goods for sale.

Stickers and other items in a clear file folder.
Even after returning home, you can relive the delicious memories.

■Oh? What's next door...?

Please take a look next to the Hasegawa Store Bay Area branch.
Could this distinctive yellow-painted store possibly be...?

Isn't that the famous restaurant known only to those in the know for its local burgers?

■Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Store

There's no mistake. It's Lucky Pierrot, commonly known as Rappi.
What a luxury it is to be able to enjoy the two top players side by side!
It makes your eyes light up!

I feel like asking Doraemon for a gadget that will make me hungry faster.

■Look for the incredibly easy-to-understand sign!

In the port town of Hakodate, while a fancy lunch is nice, it's also great to relax and enjoy some local, casual cuisine.

A huge hit with repeat customers! Hasegawa Store's "Yakitori Bento" (grilled chicken bento box). If you're in Hakodate, you absolutely must try it!

■Hasegawa Store has 14 locations in Hakodate city and surrounding areas! The Nakamichi store is open 24 hours!
I visited this time

[Hasegawa Store Bay Area Branch]
Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Address: 23-5 Suehiro-cho, Hakodate City
Phone: 0138-24-0024
Regular holiday: No holidays

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