A retro sign suddenly appears on the first basement floor, right near Odori subway station. "Yakisoba-ya" is a popular restaurant with many long-time regulars, known only to those in the know. It is especially a reliable presence for hungry students and office workers who want to get their lunch done quickly. In this article, we will introduce the unique system of this yakisoba restaurant, which is a little different from the usual. Pass through the orange noren curtain, buy a meal ticket, and sit down at the U-shaped counter. The amount of yakisoba is set at 380 yen (tax included) for one serving of "regular" yakisoba, 440 yen (tax included) for 1.5 servings of "large", and the most popular is the "jumbo" serving of two servings for 500 yen (tax included). It's nice to be able to choose depending on how hungry you are. The yakisoba that was brought to you was very simple. It was also minimally seasoned with just salt and pepper, which may come as a surprise to first-time customers. However, that surprise soon turns into excitement, so don't worry. If you look at the table, you'll see that there are many condiments on the table. This is a very fun restaurant where you can customize your yakisoba to your liking. The seasonings are very diverse, ranging from the standard ones like soy sauce and sauce to more unusual ones like kimchi, chili oil, yakiniku flavor, and sesame vinegar soy sauce. It seems fun to add various seasonings little by little as you eat in search of your favorite flavor. When I asked the shop's recommendation, I was told it was a mix of their special sauce and chili oil. One of the regular customers told me that the sesame vinegar soy sauce and mayonnaise are delicious. Now, when I look closely at the menu, I notice that there are many toppings. When I asked about the most popular combination, this was what I was given. This is a hearty dish that includes 2.5 eggs for 560 yen (tax included) and "Egg + Wiener" for 170 yen (tax included). There are other toppings available, ranging from classics like squid and shrimp to hamburger steak and fried ham, which are rare combinations with yakisoba, so you may have a hard time deciding what to choose. And for those who are indecisive, there is a safe menu available: a great value set with several toppings. The photo above shows the "A Set" which is a single bowl of yakisoba topped with shrimp, squid, egg, mixed vegetables, and shredded cabbage. This comes with soup and costs 680 yen including tax, so it's a pretty good deal. If you look closely at the logo of the yakisoba restaurant, you'll see the words "Tasty," "Cheap," "Lots," and "Fast." Customers who visit quickly and hungrily eat their yakisoba topped with their favorite toppings and then quickly leave. The current store opened in 1985, and the old-time regulars probably have a set way of behaving. If you go there a few times and find the amount and flavor that suits you best, it might even be cool if you manage to master that custom someday. Yakisoba restaurant Location: B1F Shin-Odori Building, Odori Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido Contact: 011-241-6337