No way we’dve thought this remote-looking location would have been such a hidden gem, but weve got to say.
Sometimes in Japan we go back to an old place and need to find a place to eat, travel guides and online sites just don’t have the information we need.
We like to eat way off the road, in places frequented only by clued-in locals, and when youtse searching for such kind of information, the best person to ask is often a local taxi driver.
Our reporter Seiji Nakazawa headed into the taxi stand in front of the station to see the cab driver ready and waiting for business
Muroran Hire Company cab driver, Mr Masanori Ishida, was so accommodating he even stood by his car so Seiji could snap photos before their journey
Seiji asks Ishida to tour best seafood restaurant in the area if only people know about it. Getting in the car, Seiji takes him to the best seafood restaurant in the area. Mr Ishida replied: So for now, lets catch up with Tacchan Shokudo
Seiji rests back, enjoys 20-minute ride as Mr Ishida drives him toKojohama, where Tacchan Shokudo is based Mr Ishida explained thatKojohama, fishing village where fishers who work at Noboribetsus fishing port live, and TacchanShokudo is run by a group of men.
Seijis stomach shivers in hunger and excitement over lira of place where it was headed, but looked to see it was like an abandoned warehouse when they arrived
Never would have had the chance to visit a place as this if Seiji hadnt met Mr Ishida.
The restaurant was just on the opposite side of the lot, which looked more like a house or a small office building.
Seiji walks out of taxi, goes to dining after paying Mr Ishida, blaming for recommendation He had to hide grin at a local spot casually dressed locals luring up morsels of food into their mouths in a nascently no-frills look in his mind.
Dining room was even more bare bones than some of Seiji’s other secret finds over the years, and the foldable tables and chairs made it feel more like a temporary set at an outdoor festival Seiji got to talk to one of the staff and they told him this space used to be a home, so it seemed that the tables, chairs and cabinets were simply repurposed for a dining room setup
In comparison, dishes made of different kinds of fish don (donburi, rice bowl) dishes, which tourist often visit to Thailand.
Seiji visited at least nine seafood rice bowls (U.S.$6.52), up to 2,200 yen for salmon, Salmon, Roe Don.
Mr Ishida had also recommended the Tacchan Ramen (830 yen) at Seijis taxi trip – which is a must-try for its delicious broth. Seiji found it one of the recommended items on the menu and emailed locals to find the items, which seemed very popular – it was probably the best item in the neighbourhood.
Seijis stomach tried to fill so decided to do so on Tacchan Ramen, with Madachi Ponzu side, and on Todays Special Donburi too.
Today’s Special Donburi deemed well worth 33,000 yen price tag
The Special Donburi Limited to 10 orders a day – Seiji felt lucky to have it been ordered. Fish was freshest, freshest hed ever seen, with so many things to do: tuna, crab, surf clams, salmon roe, salmon and even abalone.
So much seafood in bowl Seiji couldnt see rice beneath
Each piece was really large and so delicious Seiji must hold himself off crying out in delight at every bite, like an avid TV presenter on a food show
Surf clams were biggest Seiji ever seen, crab pieces irresistibly fresh and juicy Regardless of his performance, he couldnt pick a favourite out of the bowl. Every piece was wonderful and the combination gave a harmonious rainbow of colour, both in character and flavour.
Seiji resisted temptation to order another dish after finishing fish -800 yen Madachi (Pacific Cod Milt) has long been a specialty of Hokkaido, and ifse wondering what milt meansits thesperm-filled reproductive gland of a male fish, its a common thing. This is a great dish to drink, even when served with citrus-soy ponzu sauce. Though it may sound off-putting to first-timeers, its actually a very popular dish and Seiji found it very fresh, voluminous and melt-in-the-mouth famous.
Finally, Seiji moved into Hot dish to end Tacchan Ramen (830 yen), which he had seen many other diners eating so he wanted to learn about the ingredients behind it.
Seiji was delighted to see a highly unusual ramen, with a translucent broth, and unusual ingredients such as prawns, squid and andscallopsin their shells.
A big-name noodle chain has no ramen like this
Seiji closes eyes in bliss after fresh seafood served It looked light in colour though, full of flavour and absolutely delicious! Fresh seafood broth served with fresh saltiness that required no other garnishing; and the noodles were equally fresh and delicious.
Mr Ishida told Seiji he often recommends Tacchan Ramen to ramen lovers, a group he recommends says its aroma has echoed over its flavour. Seiji is a diner in love with Tacchan Ramen, and also for noodle lovers alike.
Hot ramen poured out and Seiji would surely be eating here every day if he lived in the area. Best in the area, hop in a taxi and ask them to take you to Tacchan Shokudo Hokkaido taxi driver has issued third local recommand, but wen’t taken wrong
Tacchan Shokudo / Address: Hokkaido-ken, Shiraoi-gun, Shiraoi-cho, Kojohama 69-3 69-3 Open 10:00 a.m.-2:00
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