Featured on national TV, "Ankake Yakisoba" has recently become widely known as a specialty of Otaru. This dish gradually spread throughout Otaru City from around the 1950s, after the war, and has now become a soul food served in many restaurants. A pioneer of this dish is "Chuka Shokudo Keien" (hereafter Keien). Let's take a look inside this popular local Chinese diner, a perfect example of what's known in Japan as a "machichuka"!

Keien is located inside the Otaru Miyako-dori Shopping Arcade, about a 5-minute walk from JR Otaru Station.

This popular restaurant is so beloved by locals that there's often a line at lunchtime. While media coverage has increased the number of tourists visiting, about 80% of the customers are still local residents.

I immediately ordered the "Ankake Yakisoba" (820 yen, tax included). The dish was brought to the table along with a Chinese-style soup. The dollop of Japanese mustard on the side of the plate is a common way to eat it in Otaru. The thick, starchy sauce clings perfectly to the pan-fried noodles. It's undeniably delicious!

The generous amount of ingredients is another delightful feature. In addition to pork belly and shrimp, it contains several types of vegetables, making it visually appetizing. As delicious, nutritious, and filling as this Ankake Yakisoba is, the owner has other recommendations too!

These are the "Miso Ramen (Vegetable Ramen)" (770 yen, tax included) and "Chahan" (Fried Rice) (770 yen, tax included). And for those who want to try both, there's the lunch-only "Manzoku Set" (Satisfying Set) (920 yen, tax included).

While the fluffy fried rice, cooked quickly to perfection, is excellent, I was truly impressed by the umami of the Miso Ramen! The sweetness of the plentiful vegetables, the deep flavor of the miso, and a hint of spice added as an accent create a wonderful harmony. The owner mentioned that they subtly change the flavor nuances with the seasons.

He also shared that they use lard instead of salad oil in all their cooking, which gives the dishes a unique richness. I see, it's these numerousこだわり (special touches) that create Keien's distinctive flavor that makes you want to come back for more.

I was also tempted by the limited-quantity "Curry Set" (950 yen, tax included), which lets you enjoy both curry and ramen, but I left the restaurant feeling fully satisfied in both stomach and spirit.

This is a must-visit restaurant when you come to Otaru.