You can only eat it in Abashiri! 9 popular gourmet spots where you can spend a special time

Abashiri is widely known for its iconic Abashiri Prison and its reputation as a cold, northern region. However, it offers much more than that, with a variety of fascinating tourist attractions. As a town where drift ice washes ashore, visitors can explore the Drift Ice and Okhotsk Sea Science Museum, experience the beautiful flower scenery at Koshimizu Wild Flower Garden (a designated Hokkaido Heritage site), or enjoy panoramic views of the Okhotsk Sea at the city-operated Bihoro Ranch. These locations allow visitors to fully appreciate Abashiri’s natural beauty.

Abashiri’s culinary scene also benefits from Hokkaido’s bountiful mountains and seas, offering a wide selection of fresh and delicious ingredients. In this guide, we’ve carefully curated a list of the most popular gourmet spots that will make your trip to Abashiri even more enjoyable.

1. Arcadia

Arcadia, located in front of Abashiri Station, is a casual restaurant offering popular Italian and Western dishes made from local Abashiri ingredients, such as Ibarakani crab, sea urchin, and Abashiri pork.

Enjoy delicious options like "Sautéed Abashiri Pork Genbutan with Tomato Sauce," "Ibarakani Crab and Smoked Salmon Pasta," "Abashiri Sea Urchin Pasta," and "Arcadia-style Omelette Rice."

Share meals with friends or visit multiple times to try a variety of menu items!

2. Sakanatei Kihachi

Abashiri is also known as a "whaling town," and Shusai-tei Kihachi is a rare restaurant specializing in whale cuisine. Their signature dishes feature a variety of whale parts, including lean meat, tongue, fatty cuts, and jaw. Enjoy a complete whale experience!

The menu also offers seafood dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients caught at Okhotsk ports, along with local specialties like "Abashiri Zangi" fried chicken. Look for the chic black building as a landmark.

3. Rimo

"Rimo" is a popular gourmet spot known for its meticulously crafted gelato. With its adorable log cabin-style cottage design, the shop offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Approximately 60% of the gelato's ingredients are made up of milk sourced exclusively from local dairy farmers in Abashiri. By working with a single, trusted dairy farm, they ensure consistent high-quality milk and delicious gelato every time.

The milk used is a unique blend of Holstein and Jersey cow milk, following an original recipe developed by "Rimo." The addition of Jersey milk creates a rich and creamy flavor that sets their gelato apart. With over 60 flavors to choose from, you're sure to find a delicious treat that you can only enjoy at this shop.

4. Abashiri Beer Hall

Abashiri is actually home to many焼肉 (yakiniku, grilled meat) restaurants. Among them, the "Abashiri Beer Hall" is a popular spot that draws both locals and tourists. It’s conveniently located about a 7-minute walk from Abashiri Station and has a parking lot, making it easily accessible.

The restaurant has 68 table seats and 60 sunken kotatsu seating areas on the first floor. The second floor can accommodate up to 70 people, making it perfect for secondary gatherings or banquets. The first floor features a New York-style interior, while the second floor has a modern Japanese-style decor. Both floors have a relaxing atmosphere with soft lighting.

The yakiniku is thick, tender, and easy to eat. The "こだわりセット" (こだわり set, or "Commitment Set") and "特選セット" (特選 set, or "Special Selection Set") are recommended as they offer a variety of meats. They also serve seafood dishes using fresh local ingredients, providing a satisfying menu.

The restaurant offers a wide range of beers in various colors. The "流氷ドラフト" (Ryūhyō Draft), a famous local beer in Abashiri, is a deep blue beer made with Okhotsk Sea drift ice and known for its refreshing taste. Other colorful options include the green "知床ドラフト" (Shiretoko Draft), the red "はまなすドラフト" (Hamanasu Draft), and the pink "じゃがドラフト" (Jaga Draft), making for a fun tasting experience. These colorful beers are especially popular with women.

In addition to beer, they also have a wide selection of cocktails and wines. Be sure to visit the Abashiri Beer Hall when you're in the area!

5. Snack & Café "Teishaba"

Teishaba, located inside Kitahama Station, is a pioneering restaurant set in a station building. Kitahama Station, the closest station to the Okhotsk Sea, attracts many visitors looking to view the drift ice.

The restaurant offers a modern yet nostalgic atmosphere, with decor and furniture repurposed from actual train cars.

Signature dishes include the flavorful "Scallop Curry" served on a scallop-shaped plate, and "Okhotsk Ramen," featuring a clear salt-based broth with seafood stock. Topped with crab legs and scallops, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal.

After dining, head to the observation deck next to the station to enjoy the expansive view of the Okhotsk Sea—an excellent way to combine great food with stunning scenery.

6. Coffee & Lunch "Mugiwara Boushi"

Just a short walk from Kitahama Station, you’ll find Coffee & Lunch “Straw Hat.” This charming café, with a white exterior and a nostalgic black logo, exudes a retro vibe. In front of the shop, there’s a small black bell monument that gives the place a quaint, European countryside atmosphere.

Inside, the café’s chic and modern interior features brick floors as a unique accent. The menu offers a variety of curry dishes, pasta, and doria (a rice gratin).

The café is renowned for its delicious curries, with the standout dish being the Motsu Curry (offal curry). Tender, slow-cooked offal pairs perfectly with the richly spiced, traditional curry sauce. The Seafood Curry is another highlight, packed with shrimp, scallops, and squid.

An original creation called "Karaspa" (curry-spaghetti) also draws locals and tourists alike. Be sure to try the Omu-Hayashi Set (limited to 10 servings a day), a combination of an omelet and hayashi rice. The café also offers a variety of desserts, including chocolate parfaits.

7. Restaurant "White House"

White House is a popular gourmet spot in Abashiri that serves shockingly voluminous sets of food. It surprises tourists with its unusual combinations, such as a steak and seafood bowl set. It has a relaxing atmosphere that makes it easy to enter even by yourself. In front of the shop, food samples are lined up in a row, giving it the look of a nostalgic coffee shop.

The popular gourmet dish that is the signature dish is the "sea urchin and salmon roe seafood bowl and steak set." Of course, the taste is guaranteed. The salmon roe is moderately salty and sweet, the sea urchin is rich with a subtle sweetness, and the steak is soft and exquisite.

There is also a "mixed grill set" where you can enjoy grilled chicken, pork, and beef all at once, and a "sirloin and pork cutlet." Be sure to visit White House, a popular gourmet spot in Abashiri.

8. Nepal-India Restaurant "Bistarai Bistarai"

Among the gourmet spots in Abashiri, "Bistare Bistare" serves authentic Nepalese curry. It is loved by Abashiri residents and tourists because you can enjoy authentic cuisine at a reasonable price.

The exterior is a neat building with a black base, and the interior has a Nepalese atmosphere. There is a parking lot, so it is easy to use even if you have a rental car.

For lunch, there are three sets, A, B, and C, and each set comes with a drink of your choice. The "Ladies' Set" comes with a bean soup called dal soup and salad. It is a gourmet set that is perfect for health-conscious women.

The curry has a mild taste and a mellow flavor. The huge naan is crispy on the outside and moist and chewy inside. Please enjoy the authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine.

9. Soba Restaurant "On"

"Sobakiri On" is a handmade soba noodle restaurant located in a forest, about a 10-minute walk from Yobito Station. The owner spent two and a half years building the restaurant, which was designed with a 1950s concept.

The building's appearance is so picturesque that you'll want to take photos. The interior features a high ceiling and spacious seating, creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. As you unwind in this open space, you'll feel transported to a nostalgic world.

The soba noodles are not milled at a mill but are ground daily by the owner using Hokkaido Okhotsk buckwheat. The owner'sこだわり (こだわり, "こだわり" meaning "こだわり" or "particular attention to detail") lies in using "Abashiri Daibaku Wakaba Aojiru" (a green juice made from young barley leaves), which is rich in various vitamins and minerals, to create 100% handmade soba noodles. You can choose between sotoichi (thin) noodles or inaka (thick) noodles.

The recommended menu item is the "Nishumori Soba," which allows you to enjoy two types of noodles and is popular with tourists. The tempura is made with seasonal ingredients.

If you want to experience soba unique to the Okhotsk region, "Kaki Tsukemori" is recommended. This dish features cold soba in a warm broth and allows you to fully savor the taste of Okhotsk oysters. Why not take a break and relax at "Sobakiri On," a heartwarming gourmet spot?

Summary of Abashiri's Popular Gourmet Spots

Abashiri offers a variety of dining experiences that reflect its diverse culture and local ingredients. From nostalgic cafes to authentic Nepalese fare, each spot provides a unique culinary journey. Exploring these eateries while sightseeing will leave you recharged and ready for your next adventure. These recommendations are sure to add a memorable flavor to your visit, making your time in Abashiri even more special.