Even within the vast expanse of Hokkaido, Kushiro boasts magnificent nature and a rich culinary culture.
Along with sightseeing in Kushiro, one of the things you'll want to enjoy is the local cuisine, right?
In Kushiro, seafood is particularly famous, with the "Katte-don" (a type of seafood rice bowl) and robatayaki (charcoal-grilled seafood) at the Kushiro Washo Market being prime examples.

This time, we actually went to try "robatayaki," a type of grilled seafood and other dishes cooked over charcoal!
If you're wondering, "What should I eat in Kushiro?", please take a look at this.

<Contents>
1. What is Robatayaki?
2. I actually went to eat there @Robata Renga
2-1. Robatayaki Set
2-2. There are so many other things to enjoy!
2-3. This is the grand finale!
3. Author's Impressions
4. Basic Information and Access Information

1. What is Robatayaki?

This dish involves grilling ingredients, including seafood, over charcoal using a grill net.
It's similar to a BBQ, but the method of grilling and eating over charcoal right in front of you developed in Kushiro.

Using a long rice paddle is another distinctive feature of robatayaki (charcoal-grilled food).
The seafood is sourced directly from the fish processing plant, so you can enjoy fresh seafood!

 

2. I actually went to eat there @Robata Renga

This time, I went to "Robata Renga," which is located very close to Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf!
There are two reasons why I chose this restaurant.
- It had a high rating on a certain review site (3.6/5)
It was close to the hotel where I was staying.

There's a certain charm to buildings that have been renovated from brick warehouses.

 

Upon entering, I discovered a tank filled with fish and shellfish.
Being able to eat seafood straight from the tank... what a luxury!

 

2-1. Robatayaki Set

I enter the restaurant, look at the menu, and choose what I want to eat.
After much deliberation, we decided to order the "Recommended Robatayaki (¥4,398/excluding tax)."
Enjoy grilled seafood and other dishes, plus appetizers – great value for money!

 

The first things to arrive were appetizers such as sashimi, pickles, and edamame, along with a set of grilled pork.
They apparently use sashimi that is delivered directly from the fishing port in Kushiro.

After toasting with beer and Yubari melon sour, we immediately started enjoying the delicious snacks!
All the sashimi was incredibly delicious, and we ended up ordering more.

 

After enjoying the appetizers and having had a moderate amount of drinks, it's finally time to enjoy the robatayaki (grilled food)!
At first, the staff explained how to cook it.

 

Fresh mackerel, scallops, ice-salt aged sockeye salmon... As mentioned earlier, they are delivered directly from the Kushiro direct-from-the-farm market.
They all looked delicious, but what impressed me the most was the huge mackerel!
I'd never seen such a magnificent mackerel before, and I found myself staring at it for quite a while...

 

We waited about 15-20 minutes for the seafood to cook. (Time flew by as we chatted with drinks in hand.)
Finally, the mackerel and other seafood are ready!
It has a nice color, and the fish's fat is oozing out – it looks delicious!
I can't wait any longer, so I'll start eating right away♪

My impressions of eating robatayaki:
Perhaps because they use charcoal, the seafood, meat, and vegetables were all cooked to perfection, with a wonderfully tender texture.
The mackerel, in particular, had just the right amount of fat, and I enjoyed it to the very last bite.
The fact that it's always served warm was a big plus for me personally!
When you think of seafood from Hokkaido, you tend to imagine fresh sashimi, but you can also enjoy plenty of fresh seafood through robatayaki (charcoal grilling).

 

2-2. There are so many other things to enjoy!

Besides the "Recommended Robatayaki!" I mentioned earlier, there were other dishes I wanted to try, so I ordered them too!

These are the two items I added to my order.
Grilled conger eel (463 yen/excluding tax)
・Genghis Khan (741 yen/excluding tax)

Grilled conger eel is a perfect match for the mild flavor of the eel with its sweet and savory sauce!
It was fun to watch the meat gradually curl up as it cooked.

Having eaten seafood up to this point, we also ordered Genghis Khan (grilled lamb).
I tried charcoal-grilled Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) for the first time, and it was incredibly delicious.

2-3. This is the grand finale!

After thoroughly enjoying the robatayaki (grilled food), we had our final dish!
The dish I chose this time, in true Hokkaido style, was the "Exquisite Salted Salmon Roe Rice Bowl (Small) (880 yen/excluding tax)".
(My partner ordered a luxurious small sea urchin and salmon roe rice bowl.)

 

The bowl is covered with fresh salmon roe.
Perhaps it's the way the light is hitting them, but each individual grain seems to sparkle... (Is it just me?)

My impression after eating it:
Until now, I had only ever eaten salmon roe marinated in soy sauce.
When the salmon roe was salted, I was able to fully enjoy the original deliciousness and flavor of the roe.
With just one bite, I was captivated by the delightful popping texture and the way it felt so springy!

3. Author's Impressions

So, what did you think of the robatayaki (charcoal-grilled food) in Kushiro?
Grilling the seafood myself enhanced the enjoyment of the meal and the overall sightseeing experience.
The time spent eating fresh seafood is truly a moment of bliss!
When you visit Kushiro, be sure to give it a try!

4. Basic Information, Access Information

Basic Information

[Authentic Charcoal Grill Restaurant Robata Renga]
Address: 3-5-3 Nishikimachi, Kushiro City
TEL：0154-32-3233
Opening hours: 17:00 - 23:00 (Last order for food: 22:00 / drinks: 22:30)
Budget: 3,000-4,000 yen per person
*Accepted credit cards: Nisshinren, JCB, VISA, Master, UC, CF, NICOS, JACCS, LIFE, AMEX, Debit cards, nanaco, QUICPay
Parking: Dedicated parking available (10 spaces)
URL:http://www.renga.jp/index.html

Access information

From JR Kushiro Station... 5 minutes by car, 13 minutes on foot.
From Kushiro Airport... 40 minutes by car
*Travel time may vary depending on road conditions.

★Related articles can be found here★
What makes Kushiro so appealing? A digest of sights and ways to enjoy it!
・One of the world's three greatest sunsets! The charm of Kushiro's sunsets and sunset viewing spots
・What are the attractions of "long-term stay in Kushiro" as revealed by the experiences of those who have lived there?
・[Hot Springs in Eastern Hokkaido] Top 10 Popular Hot Spring Resorts in Eastern Hokkaido!
・Top 3 Kushiro Spakatsu Restaurants! Satisfying taste and portion size, a local food loved by residents♪

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