About a 30-minute drive from central Sapporo, in the quiet residential area of Fujino, Minami Ward, you'll find Cafe Koharu-do, which has been in business since 2009. We stopped by to try their appealing menu, featuring pasta made with carefully selected ingredients and sweets made with time and care.

The spacious counter comfortably seats four

The owner of Koharu-do is also a craftsman who has designed and built various shops both inside and outside of Hokkaido. The interior, which the owner designed himself, is incredibly diverse. It features spacious counter seats, semi-private window seats that offer a sense of privacy, a mountain lodge-style area with a fireplace, and a raised Japanese-style tatami room that is a popular space for families with children.

Pets are welcome at the window seats

In the Japanese-style room, tables can be joined to accommodate large groups

Each space is set at a different level, creating variations in height. This creates a sense of openness and privacy at the same time, even in the cozy interior. Regular customers have their favorite spots, and the comfortable atmosphere often makes them find themselves staying longer than planned.

Table seats with a view of the courtyard

Terrace seating is available in the summer. The courtyard is enclosed by walls, offering a great sense of privacy.

"Peperoncino with Plenty of Summer Vegetables and Pancetta" 900 yen (Large +100 yen, Double +200 yen)

The pasta used is from De Cecco, an Italian company founded in 1886. The pasta has a rough surface that holds the sauce well. A popular oil-based pasta is the "Peperoncino with Plenty of Summer Vegetables and Pancetta." The pancetta, made by rubbing salt into pork belly and then drying and aging it for a long period, and the Spanish garlic is crushed instead of minced, which brings out a rich aroma and a clean umami flavor that doesn't linger. The vegetables are cut into large pieces for a satisfying texture. The simple salt-based seasoning allows you to enjoy the natural charm of the ingredients.

Other menu items include a tomato sauce pasta with a concentrated umami flavor achieved by simmering it down thoroughly, a hearty meat sauce with chunky minced meat, and a Carbonara made only with 24-month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, eggs, and pancetta. The pasta portions are a generous 120g (dry weight) per serving.

"Tarte au Citron" 600 yen (Set with coffee: Machine Drip 700 yen, Hand Drip 800 yen)

The popular "Tarte au Citron" is a baked pastry where the dough and lemon appareil (custard filling) are rested overnight. Then, the dough, appareil, and meringue are baked three times and rested for another night. The entire lemon, including the peel, is used, creating a rich, refreshing, and deep sweetness.

"Gâteau au Chocolat" 500 yen (Set with coffee: Machine Drip 600 yen, Hand Drip 700 yen)

The "Gâteau au Chocolat" uses 61% cacao chocolate. Since only two grams of flour are used per piece, this creates a rich dessert that is crispy on the outside and moist and smooth on the inside. The tartness of the accompanying berries provides a perfect balance.

"Koharu-do Blend" 500 yen

The coffee beans for the house blend are sourced from "Iwai Coffee," a specialty coffee shop in Toyohira Ward, while the bitter blend comes from the popular "Kotobuki Coffee" near Nijo Market in Chuo Ward. Another point of pride is that they serve it with fresh cream instead of coffee creamer.

The drink menu is diverse, also offering fresh-squeezed lemon juice and banana milk made with a whole banana. In the evening, a bar menu is available, with small appetizer-style dishes starting from 100 yen.

*All prices include tax