When you think of sea urchin dishes, gunkanmaki and sea urchin rice bowls come to mind. But sea urchin fishermen, who truly know the deliciousness of sea urchin, are not satisfied with such existing dishes. Wouldn't you like to try the unique sea urchin dishes made by sea urchin fishermen? If you are intrigued, head to the cafe and bar "GVO" in Shari Town! Located along National Route 334 and overlooking the sea, GVO is a restaurant that serves excellent sea urchin dishes at lunchtime. Before we explain, let's first take a look at some of the menu items that interest you. Sea urchin tomato cream pasta (1,350 yen including tax). Sea urchin cream pasta is common, but tomato cream pasta is rare! The rich taste of sea urchin and the sourness of tomato are a perfect match, and it feels like a new discovery. Soup, salad, and bread are included in the set. Salted sea urchin rice (1,500 yen including tax). Made with only the strong-flavored sea urchins caught in June and July, and paired with light salt. Sea urchin and salt actually go well together, removing excess moisture and enhancing the richness of the flavor. In addition to the soup, it also comes with fried salmon, which is also delicious enough to be the main dish. Sea urchin ankake donburi (1,550 yen including tax). As the period during which fresh sea urchin can be served is short, this menu item was devised to allow frozen sea urchin to be enjoyed in the winter. You can really feel the texture of the sea urchin even in the sauce, making this another unexpected dish. Comes with soup and fried salmon.

(Photo courtesy of GVO)

Just looking at it makes you want to try it, right? GVO is well-known for its original sea urchin dishes, but the location where you can enjoy them is also fantastic. The large windows overlook the Sea of Okhotsk. Watching the blue ocean spread out before your eyes during the day, and the swaying of the waves illuminated by the moonlight at night, you will have a special time. In winter, drift ice seems to come right up to the restaurant. And it's not just the food and the space that are wonderful... The owners of GVO, Mr. and Mrs. Aihara, are also very nice and cool! The husband, Shinichi Aihara, is the master of GVO, a sea urchin fisherman, and a guitarist. He works as a sea urchin fisherman from April to August when the sea urchin fishing season is open, and works as the master and guitarist from September to March. Yes, GVO is a limited-time cafe and bar. As a guitarist, he has been quite active, providing songs for the movie "Adventures in Shiretoko" produced by Shari Town, and releasing CDs. He also holds live shows at GVO. I visited the restaurant, attracted by the sea urchin dishes made by sea urchin fishermen, and found a very comfortable atmosphere and met a charming couple. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by. ＜GVO＞ Address: 91-5 Utoronishi, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido Phone: 0152-24-3040