Marutoma Shokudo - Tomakomai

A hidden gem but judging by the reviews on TripAdvisor and the long queue of locals that greeted me, I'm in for something exciting. And their signature dish ホッキカレー didn't disappoint. I was just a tad annoyed that I tried to order 2 things on the menu but the lady said the don't have it anymore... Hmmm then why display them on the menu? Come early or expect long queues. They don't take reservations.

I couldn't make it for the closing time which is 2pm. There still was a line of people outside around 2:15pm and the last ones probably couldn't get in. Definitely next time!!

Once I got inside, it became clear why it was so packed. This small eatery caters to locals, not tourists, and it hasn't completely succumbed to the tourist trap trend. Some of the dishes were incredibly cheap—small fried fish for 50 yen each, meat shumai for 20 yen each, and that fantastic red fish fillet for 200 yen. Of course, the more popular dishes ranged around the usual 1000 to 1300 yen for visitors. The owner, who also cooks here, seated me at a two-person table, despite two other customers waiting. I insisted on moving to the bar and settled next to a very chatty grandmother, who shared her thoughts on tourists in Japan over her meal, which was quite amusing. I ordered enough food for three people: sakhalin surf clams, seafood donburi, and seafood yakisoba. I also eyed the display case and ordered the red fish with fried eggplant on the side. To this day, I still don’t know what the fish was called, but it was the best saltwater fish I’ve had in years. The tiny piece of eggplant they prepared was perfect—lightly battered, savored with a little sauce, bursting with flavor. The first dish to arrive was the clams, and they were amazing. I was surprised at how sweet they tasted—sweeter than any seafood I've had before, which I assume is natural. It’s no wonder they are a local specialty, often featured in various seafood dishes. The seafood donburi was quite typical, enhanced with some blue roe I hadn’t seen before, wonderfully fresh shrimp, and the sakhalin surf clams, which I had only tasted at the Hakodate seafood market and Tsukiji fish market. It came with what I think were pickles; they had a unique taste, perhaps a bit like sour wort and a faux soup. The miso soup was excellent, with some sour kelp and a delightful ocean aroma. The seafood yakisoba was the best I’ve had, though it was also the only one I’ve tried. It definitely rivals the cheap seafood fried noodles from Vietnamese restaurants in Milpitas, which remains the best seafood noodle dish I’ve ever had. This version was slightly thicker, using yakisoba noodles instead of the thinner Chinese style, and it was packed with various clams. Have I mentioned the portion sizes? They’re generous compared to most places! Sorry for the lengthy review, but in short: I enjoyed great seafood next to a charmingly drunken grandmother in a tiny restaurant. I would definitely recommend it!

You have to try this small restaurant! Please be prepared to wait at least an hour, but it's definitely worth it. The seafood is fresh, and the prices are very reasonable. Though there isn't an English menu, each dish is accompanied by pictures. I also recommend taking advantage of the free parking nearby.

This restaurant consistently impresses with its cozy atmosphere, making you feel right at home. If you're ever in Tomakomai, be sure to try the Hoki curry—it's fantastic!