Don’t miss this! 5 gourmet lunch spots to try in Nemuro

Nemuro, a city in eastern Hokkaido known for its seafood processing industry. Here, you can of course enjoy freshly caught seafood, but also a wide variety of gourmet foods such as Nemuro’s soul food “Escalope,” which has been featured in the media and is gaining popularity. Wouldn’t you like to challenge yourself to see how many places you can conquer during your stay in Nemuro? This time, we’ll spotlight lunch and introduce some recommended restaurants.

1. Daihachi

If you want to enjoy fresh Hanasaki crab from Nemuro’s Hanasaki Port, head to “Kaniya Meshiya Daihachi.” You can enjoy Nemuro’s specialty Hanasaki crab in various styles such as curry, ramen, fried rice, or Chinese-style rice bowls. Because it’s located right next to the fishing port, you can enjoy fresh Hanasaki crab at a reasonable price. This is a must-visit when in Nemuro.

In Nemuro, the fishing season for Hanasaki crab runs from July to September, and if you visit during peak season, you may be able to try the limited “Boiled Hanasaki Crab.” Some people visit Nemuro just for this dish. If you’re lucky enough to find it still available, why not splurge and add it to your lunch? The crabs can also be shipped nationwide, making them a great Nemuro souvenir.

2. Dorian

Are you familiar with Nemuro’s local specialty “Escalope”? Escalope is a fusion fast food dish consisting of butter rice topped with pork cutlet and demi-glace sauce. It was originally created for Nemuro’s busy fishermen. For lunch, we recommend “Shokuji to Kissa Dorian.”

“Dorian” is an old establishment that inherited the recipe from “Mont Blanc,” the restaurant that originally created Escalope. Known as a place where you can taste the authentic Escalope, it’s famous not only in Nemuro but also among gourmet enthusiasts across Japan.

The crispy pork cutlet is topped with a rich and mellow demi-glace sauce. Remarkably, the sauce has been continuously replenished since the restaurant’s founding in 1969. The cutlet is thin, not greasy, and pairs perfectly with the sauce. Pouring the sauce over the butter rice is also highly recommended.

Another popular dish is “Oriental Rice,” which you should definitely try alongside Escalope. Ordering both and sharing among friends might be a good idea. Incidentally, both Escalope and Oriental Rice were selected among the “38 Hokkaido Local Dishes” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

3. Jumbo Futaba

Let’s introduce one lunch spot from Nemuro’s neighboring town, Betsukai. “Jumbo Futaba” is a local gourmet diner that serves sushi, ramen, rice bowls, pasta, and more. This is the restaurant that created the “Betsukai Jumbo Scallop Burger,” which earned a place in the “New Hokkaido Local Gourmet Grand Prix Hall of Fame.”

The “Betsukai Jumbo Scallop Burger” is a new style of burger where customers assemble it themselves. A scallop fritter wrapped in spring roll skin is placed with lettuce between buns, and you can add your choice of three sauces (miso, aurora, or mayonnaise). Only scallops of size 2L or larger are used, making them thick, juicy, and very filling.

Note that it’s only available as part of a set menu, not à la carte. The set includes the Jumbo Scallop Burger, French fries, one side dish, and a mug of milk. Betsukai boasts the highest raw milk production in Japan, so you can enjoy its natural richness and sweetness. You can choose between 300 ml and 500 ml sizes.

4. Attoko

If you want to fully enjoy Wagyu beef in Nemuro, visit “Farm Restaurant ATTOKO.” This restaurant is located inside “Akebono Ito Farm” and serves gourmet dishes featuring their own farm-raised Wagyu, as well as desserts made with freshly processed milk.

Recommended dishes include hamburg steak and regular steak made with their “Akebono Shorthorn Beef.” This lean red meat is raised with care on the farm and is a healthy choice, even for those dieting. Kid-friendly meals such as hamburg steak and curry are also available, so families can enjoy lunch together with ease.

For dessert, try sweets made with farm-fresh milk: soft serve ice cream, shakes, yogurt, and cheesecake are among the many options. If you want to enjoy the pure taste of milk itself, hot milk is recommended. Relax and sip while enjoying the peaceful scenery—it’s sure to warm your heart.

5. Suzuki Shokudo

One of Nemuro’s specialties is Pacific saury. If you want to enjoy Nemuro’s saury for lunch, head to “Suzuki Shokudo.” This restaurant is famous for its “Saury Rice Bowl,” which has been featured in the media multiple times. People visit not only from Nemuro but also from outside Hokkaido, and lines often form during peak hours.

The raw saury topping the bowl is glossy and fresh. It has no unpleasant odor and melts in your mouth with a soft, buttery texture. The small topping of flying fish roe adds a delightful accent, and you’ll finish the bowl in no time. Even those who usually dislike blue-backed fish should give it a try.

The restaurant is open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, but if you’re aiming for the “Saury Rice Bowl,” it’s best to visit a little earlier than lunchtime. Note that it is closed during the winter. After watching the earliest sunrise in Japan at Cape Nosappu—the easternmost point of Japan—visiting for breakfast could be a wonderful idea.

◎ Summary

We’ve introduced Nemuro’s recommended lunch spots. Did any catch your interest? Surrounded on three sides by the sea, Nemuro truly deserves to be called a “treasure trove of ingredients.” These are all dishes you can only experience in Nemuro, so why not take the opportunity to visit and enjoy a superb lunch? You’ll be sure to have a satisfying lunchtime that’s both kind to your wallet and filling for your stomach.

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Don’t miss this! 5 gourmet lunch spots to try in Nemuro