For dinner, I was craving live squid, so I decided to visit Gyozanko (魚さんこ), located about a three-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station. It’s an ideal spot to drop by while sightseeing. The reason for my choice was simple: I was starving around 3 PM and looking for a place that opened early. I discovered this spot starts serving at 4:30 PM and looked incredibly tempting. The vibrant and lively atmosphere of the storefronts in this area is truly appealing.
When I arrived 10 minutes after the restaurant opened, there were already about 10 customers inside. It seemed I wasn’t the only one drawn here with a growling stomach :p. Though it was my first visit, I was captivated by the selection of rare fish on display—this quickly became one of my favorite spots!
The interior features both table seating and an L-shaped counter, offering a fair number of seats. However, even on weekdays, the flow of customers is constant, so making a reservation is a smart move. On another day, I stopped by right after they opened and was told I could only stay for 45 minutes—a condition that actually worked in my favor since I only had 40 minutes to spare.
The day’s specials were so plentiful that I didn’t even get a chance to leisurely browse the main menu. Nearly half the offerings were sashimi, including unfamiliar fish like babagarei and donko. They also serve meat dishes and grilled skewers.
There’s a wide selection of local Hokkaido sake, all reasonably priced. I particularly enjoyed Hokkai Kuma and Kita no Nishiki—maybe a little too much.
The Donko Sashimi with Liver caught my attention thanks to the flag outside promoting it. The thick slices of white fish paired with a generous serving of liver were delightful. Mixing the liver into soy sauce made for a smooth, mild taste. The chewy texture was also quite enjoyable.
Ordering the Live Squid Sashimi was an unforgettable experience. The live squid was brought to my table in a bowl. The staff then took it back to the kitchen and quickly prepared it for serving. In no time, the squid was beautifully plated, with each part presented separately, including the eyes and beak, which were also edible.
Trying the beak for the first time was an intriguing experience—it had a unique texture and slightly strong flavor.
The Grilled Whelk came with a choice of garlic butter or ginger soy sauce. I opted for the garlic butter, which gave it an ajillo-like flavor. The chewy texture made it a fun and delicious dish.
To finish off, I was served complimentary Ara-jiru (fish head soup). Its light and flavorful broth was the perfect conclusion to a rich meal. The warm hospitality was truly heartwarming.
If you’re looking to enjoy fresh seafood in Hakodate, Gyosanko is a place that will surely satisfy you. With its lively atmosphere and local flavors, it’s definitely worth a visit!
About
Name Gyosanko (魚さんこ)
Open Dinner time
Reservation Available
Credit card Available
Google Map
