Did you know that the large multi-purpose store "Coach & Four," known for its books and miscellaneous goods, has a little-known secret lunch buffet? For a price in the 2,000 yen range that defies its quality, you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast of diverse dishes, including their famous "Kushiro Ramen," curry, bread, and sweets. Here's our taste-test report on this hidden gem buffet in its relaxing space!

We visited the "Coach & Four Shinkawa-dori Store" in Shinkawa, Kita-ku, Sapporo. It's a massive superstore with over a million books, CDs/DVDs, stationery, miscellaneous goods, and even food, plus gachapon capsule toy machines and crane games. With its large parking lot, it's a popular weekend destination for families. Inside, the Cafe & Restaurant "Interlude" serves meals like pasta and omurice, as well as desserts, and on weekends and holidays, they host a reasonably priced lunch buffet.

A wide-ranging menu covers everything from lunch to tea time and dinner.

The restaurant has an elegant, European-style atmosphere. With its sophisticated interior, you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the store. The seating is spacious, and the buffet station is in the middle, which prevents crowding and allows you to grab food from less busy spots.

The walls and ceiling also feature European-style designs, giving it a luxurious, hotel-like feel.

The island-style buffet station allows you to access the food from any side.

This lunch buffet is an incredible 2,490 yen per adult (tax included)! The monthly rotating menu of 35 Western-style dishes is centered around carefully prepared, handmade creations by the chef. With hearty meat dishes, kid-friendly curry and fried foods, and a wide variety of desserts and breads, the menu is designed to satisfy people of all ages and genders.

Appetizers and cold dishes are served in individual portions for easy serving.

A lineup of hearty dishes like pasta, mapo tofu, and meat dishes is also available.

At the live cooking station, a yellow banner for "Kushiro Ramen" stands out. The head chef personally boils the noodles and serves this special Kushiro ramen fresh. It features a light, niboshi (dried sardine) based soy sauce soup and extra-thin curly noodles delivered weekly from a noodle factory in Kushiro. The gently permeating sardine broth and low-fat soup cling perfectly to the noodles, creating an exquisite balance. The taste is on par with any specialty ramen shop.

"Enjoy it fresh!" they say, making it to order.

The chashu pork topping is also thick-cut. I actually went back for seconds.

I tried the curry casually and was amazed by how delicious it was. The Interlude's special beef curry is a classic European-style curry where the sweetness of slow-cooked vegetables and beef has melted into the roux. On this day, there was another option, a Thai-style keema curry, which had a subtle Asian and fruity flavor. It's fun to compare the two, but be careful not to eat too much.

With two different types of curry, I couldn't resist trying both.

For those who think a buffet is all about the meat, rest assured. There are plenty of carefully prepared meat dishes like chicken sauté and grilled pork loin. These dishes change monthly, so it's exciting to see what will be next. There are also Chinese dishes like mapo tofu and fried items that go well with rice. The rice is Hokkaido's own Nanatsuboshi. You'll need to plan the order and amount you eat, or you'll be full in no time. Luckily, there's no time limit, so you can take breaks between plates.

If you aim to try everything, take small portions of each dish. The distinct flavors prevent you from getting bored.

The mapo tofu has a kick for adults. The "saliva chicken" is tender from being cooked at a low temperature.

Fried food for those with a big appetite. Today's special was bite-sized fried white fish.

The restaurant has an adjoining boulangerie, which supplies freshly baked bread. There's a rich variety, from sweet pastries to dinner rolls. Thoughtful touches include a toaster to warm your bread and baguette sandwiches wrapped to prevent them from drying out. Above all, the dough of every bread is delicious, making it hard to stop going back for more.

A wide variety including croissants, melon bread, anpan (red bean paste buns), and table rolls.

After indulging in ramen, curry, meat, and bread, you might think you're full. But there's always room for dessert. The fact that the cakes are all bite-sized is a real blessing! The pudding with its gentle custard flavor and the chocolate fountain are must-haves, and fruit is perfect for a palate cleanser. It's amazing how much you can eat once you start.

The buffet lover's rule: a little bit of everything.

Banana and chocolate, a classic combination.

If you were asked what to choose to finish off a buffet, wouldn't this be it? A mini parfait you make yourself. Top the milky, subtly sweet soft-serve ice cream with sauces and nuts. I really wanted to add fruit too, but I was a bit too full. Once again, 2,490 yen per person for all this is a truly amazing deal. You can check the monthly menu on their website!

Be careful with the self-serve ice cream, as it can quickly become a mountain.

・Incredibly reasonable price!
・The Kushiro ramen tastes like it's from a specialty shop.
・A lineup that can be enjoyed by all ages.
・The homemade taste means you never get tired of it.
・Large parking lot makes it easy to visit by car.
・You can shop for books, CDs, and more on your way out.

*Photos are from the time of the interview. Content may vary depending on the season.
*All prices include tax and service charge.

Coach & Four Shinkawa-dori Store

■Address: 18-chome, 3-jo, Shinkawa, Kita-ku, Sapporo
■Phone: 011-769-3333
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