Goshokudon – A Taste of Hakodate

Goshokudon (five color rice bowl) is a taste of Hakodate. Hakodate is known in Japan for its fresh seafood. Some of the specialties of Hakodate are squid (ika), crab (kani), salmon eggs (ikura), sea urchin (uni) and many others. One popular way to enjoy the seafood in Hakodate is Goshokudon. Goshokudon literally translates to five color rice bowl. Five different types of seafood are placed on top of rice, and served with miso soup and pickles.

Hakodate Morning Market

The best place to enjoy goshokudon, is the Hakodate Morning Market. Located just steps away from Hakodate station, the market covers about 4 city blocks. In addition to all the seafood, there is also a vegetable and fruit market where you can find other Hokkaido specialties such as fresh melons, corn and potatoes. Connected to the morning market, and just on the other side of the parking lot in front of Hakodate station is the Donburi Yokocho (rice bowl alley), a long corridor with numerous restaurants all selling goshokudon and other seafood. Since all of the seafood served here comes directly from the market and from the fishing boats, this is the best place to enjoy goshokudon. Any of the shops here are excellent, but the Ikuratei is my personal favorite.