Did you know that "zangi," known as Hokkaido's soul food, actually originated in Kushiro City? While you can easily find zangi in supermarkets and bento shops across the prefecture, a trip to the nighttime streets of Kushiro will let you taste authentic zangi that's a world apart from what you're used to.

In Kushiro as of 2021, not only are long-established restaurants preserving their delicious traditions, but new spots popular for delivery and takeout have also emerged. Zangi and Kushiro are inseparable, and each restaurant offers its own unique take on the dish.

However, with such a long history, some of Kushiro's zangi spots can be a bit intimidating for tourists to visit. That's why in this article, I, the author, who spent four days and three nights on a zangi food tour, will introduce seven popular and tourist-friendly restaurants that I highly recommend!
Anyone who's gone for a drink while visiting Kushiro might have stopped by Izakaya Daichan. You'll be drawn in by its cheerful lights, reminiscent of a large fishing boat. While the menu is packed with options like grilled fish and stir-fries, the zangi is the star of the show.
Step inside, and you'll find the place filled with antiques, making you feel like you've time-traveled back to the Showa era.
Izakaya Daichan offers two types of zangi: the Original Zangi, with a rich garlic-based flavor, and the Sauce Zangi, a milder ginger-based version served with a sauce. If you're feeling greedy, the Half & Half, which lets you enjoy both, is the way to go.
The Original Zangi is on the left, and the Sauce Zangi is on the right. As you can see, the color of the batter is different for each.
The Original Zangi has a powerful, savory flavor, with an irresistible garlic aroma that stimulates the appetite. It's made with juicy thigh meat, but it's so crispy you'll finish it in no time.
The Sauce Zangi is light on its own, but still packed with umami! When you add the sweet sauce, the flavor transforms completely, making it a perfect snack to go with drinks.
The master noticed my nervous expression and kindly served me a complimentary glass of oolong tea. I was so touched by his kindness that I drank about half of it in one go.

The reason I so strongly recommend this place is because of heartwarming gestures like this from the master. I must have looked tense when I walked in from the chilly night, and perhaps noticing this, the master was incredibly cooperative with my interview.
During the interview, the master got a call from a friend with a happy invitation: "I'm getting some sea urchin, come and have some!" And what arrived was this huge amount of sea urchin! I was speechless to be treated to such fresh uni...

If you want to savor delicious zangi while experiencing the warm hospitality of the Showa era, be sure to visit Izakaya Daichan.
Walk down a slightly hidden street in the entertainment district, and you'll find a restaurant with the elegant appearance of a traditional ryotei. Torizen, located in Sakaemachi 2-chome, is, as written on its noren curtain, a "Zangi Specialty Shop" loved by many fans.

The menu is simple:

• Zangi (bone-in) 700 yen
• Zangi (boneless) 700 yen
• Karaage (thigh) 500 yen

You can enjoy a hearty portion of chicken at a la carte prices.

The bone-in zangi is the very root of the dish. It's said that zangi began with butchering a whole chicken and deep-frying the pieces.
According to the owner, "Back in the day, you couldn't find boneless meat at the market. Bone-in was just the way it was."

He also taught me about the origin of the name "zangi": "In Chinese cuisine, finely chopped and deep-fried chicken is called 'zaji' (炸鶏), and that's where the name zangi comes from."

Incidentally, a popular theory is that the 'n' in 'zangi' was added from the 'n' in 'un' (運), the Japanese word for luck. The original Chinese dish is also sometimes called 'zagī.' Different shops might tell you different stories, so visiting various places is what a true connoisseur would do.
Kushiro's traditional bone-in zangi is eaten by dipping it in a special sauce. After pouring the sauce, you sprinkle pepper on top.

First, take a bite as is. The crispy, thin skin gives way to an explosion of juicy meat! The umami of the chicken and the perfect amount of salt make it easy to eat, even for those who aren't fond of greasy food.

Next, try it with the sauce. The thin skin soaks up the sauce, and a sweet flavor fills your mouth. The amount of sauce was also perfectly portioned; I was surprised to find the plate empty just as I finished eating. This perfectly calculated bone-in zangi is a masterpiece you won't easily find elsewhere.


Many of the restaurants serving authentic zangi in Kushiro open in the evening, which narrows the options for those wanting it for lunch. For them, I recommend the bento shop "Yum Yum," famous for its giant zangi.

As of December 2021, Yum Yum has the following locations:

• Yum Yum Kaiun Branch (1-1-11 Kaiun, Kushiro)
• Yum Yum Aikoku Branch (1-15-6 Aikokuhigashi, Kushiro)
• Yum Yum Showa Branch (3-1-2 Showachuo, Kushiro)

• Yum Yum Higashi 1-jo Branch (Higashi 1-jo Bldg. 1F, 1-1-1 Higashi 1-jo Minami, Obihiro)
• Yum Yum Nishi 20-jo Branch (3-28-14 Nishi 20-jo Minami, Obihiro)

• Yum Yum Kosei Branch (2-13 Kita 8-jo Higashi 8-chome, Higashi-ku, Sapporo)
• Yum Yum Shin-Hassamu Branch (3-16-10 Shin-Hassamu 4-jo, Teine-ku, Sapporo)

Yum Yum is famous for its massive zangi bento boxes. In addition to its three stores in Kushiro and two in Obihiro, it has opened two more in Sapporo since 2019. They typically fry the zangi to order, so it's a popular spot, and many customers call ahead to place their orders.
The reason people go to the trouble of ordering in advance is the zangi's incredible crispiness. It's huge and juicy, yet so light you'll finish it before you know it. The secret is the introduction of "Dr. Fly," a new technology that uses 50,000 radio wave vibrations per second to prevent oil splatter and reduce oil absorption in the food. This allows the zangi to cook quickly while enhancing its deliciousness.

Furthermore, the Yum Yum Showa Branch has taken things a step further by adopting a "deli-style" sales model where you can get your zangi without waiting. It used to be an eat-in restaurant, but this style was born from the manager's desire to "not keep customers waiting."
Enter the Yum Yum Showa Branch and look to your left, and you'll see the bento and deli corner, decorated with a small Christmas tree.
This is the zangi & deli corner. I visited in the early afternoon, so much of the zangi & deli items had already been sold.
This is the famous Yum Yum Zangi. At first glance, it looks smaller than the made-to-order zangi, but it's still a hefty portion for the low price of 220 yen! You can eat plenty of zangi even before payday.
Besides zangi, you can get other hearty deli items like hamburger patties, spring rolls, and croquettes at affordable prices. What to eat depends on your mood for the day.
Of course, you can also get zangi bento boxes. However, they are smaller than the made-to-order ones, so if you want a big meal, you should place an order.
Yum Yum sells many other ready-to-go bento boxes as well. Many of them come with zangi, making them a great deal.
If you're in the mood for something lighter, you can also get deli items like nori hand-rolled sushi. This wide variety of products is another charm of the Yum Yum Showa Branch.
Yum Yum offers a wide variety of zangi flavors, including Original, Zantare (with sauce), Zanmayo (with mayo), and Kurozu-an (black vinegar sauce). This time, I'm having the Kurozu-an (left) and Zanmayo (right).
The Kurozu-an zangi is coated in the sauce and served with vegetables. It has a pleasant acidity within its sweetness, and the meat remains juicy and tender. It's nice to have vegetables for a change of pace!
The Zanmayo features zangi topped with mayonnaise. It might seem heavy, but the moderate acidity of the mayo provides a nice accent, creating a rich flavor.

Besides the zangi and bento boxes introduced here, there are many other delicious items available. If you find yourself arriving in Kushiro earlier than expected during your trip through eastern Hokkaido, Yum Yum Showa Branch is the place to go.

[Yum Yum Showa Branch]

Location: 3-1-2 Showachuo, Kushiro
Phone: 0154-65-8686

4 Zangi Recommended by the Pros Yoganyaki Kojare

While on my zangi tour, a staff member at another restaurant recommended "Yoganyaki Kojare" as a place with delicious zangi. It's an extremely popular spot, and when I visited, it seemed to be fully booked for a party.

However, if you just want the zangi, takeout is also an option. Despite the busy atmosphere at the entrance, I sat on a bench and waited for my order.
I ordered the "Kojare's Special Sauce Zangi" for a relatively reasonable price of 600 yen (excluding tax). The combination of the sweet, rich sauce and the refreshing grated daikon was addictive. I enjoyed it back at my hotel.

[Yoganyaki Kojare]

Location: 5-2 Sakaemachi, Kushiro, Hokkaido
Phone: 0154-68-5886

5 Settle the Score with Zangi Sumiyaki Senka Tamadori

A 7-10 minute drive from Kushiro Station, "Sumiyaki Senka Tamadori" is an izakaya with a cozy, at-home atmosphere located in a residential area. Soon after opening, it fills up with regular customers and couples.
This restaurant is famous for two dishes: the "Shiro Tama Zantare," which won the 2015 Kushiro B-1 Grand Prix, and the "Kuro Tama Zantare," which is made with squid ink from Ishigaki Island. Both are 693 yen (tax included). Each has a completely different flavor, making it a tough choice. If you're with a group, I recommend ordering both to compare.
The Shiro Tama Zantare features zangi topped with a French sauce and finely chopped cabbage. It looks rich, but the cabbage perfectly balances the acidity of the sauce, making it delicious. A squeeze of lemon adds an even more refreshing taste.
The Kuro Tama Zantare is topped not with mayonnaise, but with an original honey mustard sauce. The spicy kick is followed by a rich umami and sweetness that will have you reaching for another drink! If your group can't agree on where to eat during your Kushiro trip, why not come to Tamadori and settle the score between black and white?

[Sumiyaki Senka Tamadori]

Location: 12-35 Suminoecho, Kushiro, Hokkaido
Phone: 0154-32-3818

6 A 2021 Newcomer Kushiro Zangi Umami-chan

While many izakayas in Kushiro serve authentic zangi, there are also shops gaining popularity primarily through delivery. One of them is "Kushiro Zangi Umami-chan," which opened in September 2021.

They serve their zangi from the 5th floor of the "Oriental Plaza" restaurant building. It seems their high ratings on delivery sites and late ordering hours are the secret to their popularity.
After taking the elevator to the 5th floor of Oriental Plaza, head for the dining bar "FROM THIRTY." Open the white door on the right, and you'll be greeted by a spacious area that could likely fit over 50 people.
It feels a bit surreal to be eating zangi in such a stylish space, but it seems you can enjoy it with drinks. A look at the menu shows the following three types of zangi.
It's hard to choose, but this time I ordered the staff's top recommendation: "Oroshi Ponzu Zangi" (Zangi with Grated Daikon and Ponzu Sauce). There were other customers in the restaurant, so I got it to go and took it back to my hotel.
Back at the hotel, when I took the zangi out of the bag, I found a message on the plastic container! A simple "Thank you for your purchase" warms a customer's heart. This kind of thoughtful gesture is not something you see every day.
Opening the lid releases a powerful garlic aroma, and the generous portion of grated daikon whets the appetite. The meat was incredibly tender and juicy, but thanks to the ponzu and grated daikon, I finished it in no time. In Kushiro, perhaps choosing zangi instead of ramen as the "shime" (finishing dish) after a night of drinking is the sophisticated choice.

[Kushiro Zangi Umami-chan]

Location: Oriental Plaza 5F, 5-13 Suehirocho, Kushiro, Hokkaido
Phone: 0154-24-7630

7 Enjoy Zangi with a Wide Variety of Cocktails Cocktailbar JiZi

In Kushiro, it's not uncommon to find zangi on the menu even at places where you wouldn't expect it. "Cocktailbar JiZi" is one such place, where you can enjoy delicious cocktails along with your zangi.
Looking at the meat dishes on the menu, I ordered the "Yuzu Salt Zangi." Besides zangi, the menu is extensive, with a la carte dishes, hamburgers, and more.
When you take a bite of the zangi with the onion, the freshness and subtle sweetness of the onion envelop the juicy meat and its umami. It's delicious enough on its own, but since I was at a cocktail bar, I had to have a cocktail with it.
JiZi offers a wide variety of cocktails, including nine original creations. This time, I ordered two: "Nine Half" and "Twilight JiZi."
Nine Half is a cocktail made with a brandy-based liqueur. It has a cola-like sweetness, a grape-like aroma, and a slight bitterness, making for a mature flavor.
Twilight JiZi had a sweetness within the bitterness of grapefruit. With every sip, it seemed to wash away the richness left in my mouth after eating the zangi.

[Cocktailbar JiZi]

Location: 5-1 Kawakamicho, Kushiro, Hokkaido
Phone: 0154-24-5752

The World of Kushiro Zangi is Deep and Fascinating

Beyond the zangi introduced here, Kushiro is home to many other delicious varieties. When you visit Kushiro, be sure to look for zangi whenever you find a restaurant, diner, or izakaya.

Writer's Profile

TMG4

A Hokkaido-born writer who loves delicious food, interesting things, traveling, and sleeping in his car. His assistant and wife is from Gunma Prefecture. He works on various writing projects on the online skills marketplace "Coconala" and became an independent full-time writer. He continues to drive all over Hokkaido in his own car, searching for interesting places and delicious restaurants.

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