We visited the Hakodate Morning Market and decided to try some fresh crab there. Inside the market, there is a shop where you choose a live crab, and then the staff brings it next door to have it cooked. We picked one horsehair crab and decided to have it boiled, and the staff prepared it for us at the restaurant next door. In addition to the crab, we also ordered squid sashimi and a donburi with three toppings. The boiled horsehair crab was very fresh with a mild, natural sweetness. Trying the live squid was also a unique experience for me. The shop only has one English menu, but overall the experience was very interesting and memorable. The seafood was extremely fresh, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try horsehair crab and live squid sashimi at least once.

+2

I’m not sure why the ratings seem so low. Saw some comments that their dancing squid did not move, which seemed unfortunate, as ours was squirming all right. We’ve been back here a total of 5 times in the past 1.5 years - 3 times in May 2023 and 2 times in Sept 2024 - and it’s not because we have the breakfast coupon from an affiliate hotel. We were browsing at the morning market side and the lady from this stall is perhaps one of the most friendly and smiley ones compared to the other stalls. That naturally led us to ask about their seafood. So we choose what we want, they weigh it and let us know the price, then the lady will bring us to the shop where our item is done sashimi and/or cooked fresh. The hairy crab, king crab and other items were all so fresh. We’ve also had the uni, abalone sashimi, atka mackerel etc and even tried the hoya sashimi (sea squirt) which isn’t available in most places. On our 3rd visit in May 2023, the chef even gave us a complimentary plate of crab croquette to thank us for our repeat visits. There are tatami and counter seats downstairs and table seats upstairs. They seemed much busier this Sept than they were last year. Perhaps the affiliate hotel program was started more recently. There are long queues outside the shop but because we chose live items from the morning market side, we get to just follow the lady in and be seated. We will certainly be back at Tabiji again when we return to Hakodate.

+3

We discovered Tabiji as our hotel collaborates with them to provide breakfast for guests since the hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant. It turned out to be a fantastic recommendation! The restaurant exudes a cozy, traditional Japanese ambiance, complete with a two-level setup. The interior is simple yet charming, making it an inviting space to dine. The food here is truly delightful, with generous portions that leave you satisfied. Their grilled fish is a standout—exceptionally fresh, perfectly seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The oysters are another highlight, bursting with freshness and leaving a sweet aftertaste. Just a squeeze of lemon, and you’re in seafood heaven! Their tamago (fried egg) is a must-try. It’s soft, fluffy, and seasoned just right—comfort food at its finest. While the menu is entirely in Japanese, and the staff’s English is limited, the pictures on the menu are helpful for ordering. The wait for food can be a bit long, but it’s worth it, as everything seems to be freshly prepared upon order. One thing to note: Tabiji only accepts cash, which is a little surprising given its collaboration with hotels hosting international guests. It’s a minor inconvenience, so make sure to have cash on hand. Overall, Tabiji delivers an excellent dining experience with fresh, delicious food and an authentic atmosphere. Highly recommended for a memorable meal in Hakodate!

+3

Tabiji is a seafood don restaurant renowned for its fresh, high-quality offerings. I visited to try the live squid over rice, and it was an unforgettable experience. The seafood is incredibly fresh, with the live squid still moving when it’s served. The tentacles continue to move as you eat, gently interacting with each other and releasing sweet, succulent juices. It’s a unique and intense culinary experience. A word of advice: be prepared to remove your shoes, as the seating here is traditional tatami style, where diners sit on mats. Some cultures believe that eating live seafood, like squid, enhances the freshness and flavor, providing a more vibrant taste. The staff at Tabiji went out of their way to communicate with English-speaking customers like me, creating a warm and comfortable dining atmosphere. Their efforts truly made the experience even more enjoyable.

+3

Tabiji is one of the affiliate store with our hotel, present the meal tickets & ordered 2 sets of breakfast, grilled silver cod & small sashimi donburi. Small portion, taste good and fresh. Many local tourists and staff are very welcoming.

+2