Wakadori Jidai Naruto Honten (若鶏時代なると本店), Hokkaido - Finger Licking Good Fried Chicken!

Our next stop saw us at Otaru, a rather touristy area and home to the famed Shiroi Koibito (白い恋人) factory and the Otaru Canal. But first, lunch at Wakadori Jidai Naruto Honten. This fried chicken place is very popular with locals and parking (just down the road) is extremely limited.

The Place

We were lucky to be accorded a seat without much of a wait even though the place seemed really packed (there was a long queue out at the door after we were done though and the place has 2 levels of seating). There is a lunch special for the fried chicken ($1K JPY for the base set and $1.5K JPY if you want your chicken with Sushi etc). Basic English menus are available but don't expect much. Minimal English is spoken as well so we had to resort to some pointing and gesturing. Place your order at the counter with your table number, make payment and wait for your food to be served.

Fried Chicken

Now here's the thing. Why would people eat fried chicken in Hokkaido, which has an abundance of fresh seafood? Personally, fried chicken is comfort food and Wakadori's rendition is simple yet delicious. Fresh chicken very well seasoned and deep fried till crackling crisp on the outside yet succulently tender on the inside. Nary a trace of blood on the chicken and no lingering or rancid oil taste as well. This is the true definition of finger licking good!

Bill

What can I say? $2K JPY (~SGD 27 at time of conversion) for 2 set lunches is absolutely value for money by Japan's living standards, even if it's for something as mundane as... fried chicken.


Final Verdict:

Ambience: NA
Service: NA
Food: 7.5/10
Value for money: 7.5/10 (lunch set)

Overall: 7.5/10

Address: 小樽市稲穂3丁目16番13号

Contact: 0134-32-3280 (Map on your GPS using this)

Opening Hours: 11:00-21:00（Last order 20:00）

Website: http://otaru-naruto.jp/

Furano Delice, Hokkaido - Ridiculously Delicious Cheesecake

We were on a week long drive around Hokkaido with Furano being our first stop. The wife had heard/read great things about Furano Delice's cheesecake and milk custard pudding so we made it a point to stop by. 

The Place

Located atop a small hill on the outskirts of Furano city, Furano Delice is a charming little place that also offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Parking is readily available just across the road at the bottom of the hill. The modus operandi is simple - select your desserts from the display refrigerator, pay and collect at the counter and choose a nice seat (indoors or outdoors) and tuck in.  

Furano Milk Pudding

Furano Delice's well known milk pudding is served chilled in a milk bottle and was reminiscent of silky smooth creme brulee complete with lightly burnt caramel at the bottom. Delicious!

Double Fromage

My personal favourite, the Double Fromage. Consisting of sponge, baked cheesecake and mascarpone cheese mousse, all melded into one deliciously light dessert without coming across as overly sweet or nauseating. Many people seem to prefer Le Tao's rendition over Furano Delice's but for me, I prefer the latter's. The former's Double Fromage is a little richer but less "airy" and unlike Furano Delice's , the texture boundaries between the sponge, cheesecake and mascarpone mousse are a little more distinct.

Bill

At only ~ SGD$10 for 2 desserts, the desserts aren't overly expensive and I would definitely be back in a heartbeat. Pity about the early closing times though.

Final Verdict:

Ambience: 8/10
Service: NA
Food: 8/10
Value for money: 7.5/10

Overall: 7.83/10

Address: Shimo-Goryou 2156-1, Furano-shi

Contact: 0167-22-8005 (Map on your GPS using this)

Opening Hours: 

10am - 6pm every Wednesday to Sunday.

Check cafe calendar here for more details on opening/closing days. Those dates highlighted in red are off days.

Website: http://shop.le-nord.com/delicecafe/