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[Meat Bistro Yukitonikuto] A new take on Genghis Khan grilled on a crystal plate

Crystal Plate Grilling: Locking in Juices for a Plump, Juicy Finish

Located about a 6-minute walk from Asahikawa Station, “ "Niku Bistro Yukitonikuto," ,” located about a 6-minute walk from Asahikawa Station, is an innovative restaurant that grills lamb not on a Genghis Khan pot or a grill, but on a “crystal plate.” Grilling on the crystal plate causes the meat to puff up, resulting in a juicy finish packed with meat juices. While it delivers more heat than it appears, it produces almost no smoke or oil splatter—a major feature that also means your clothes are less likely to absorb the smell. This makes it a great spot for families with young children to enjoy a meal with peace of mind.

The Master of Detours

As far as I know, this is the only restaurant that serves Genghis Khan on a crystal plate! While charcoal grilling tends to make the meat tough, the crystal plate causes the meat to puff up nicely on the inside, resulting in a perfect finish packed with juicy flavor.

Meticulously crafted salt-seasoned Genghis Khan prepared by a proprietor certified as a “Salt Sommelier”

Another point of pride for the restaurant is the salt, carefully selected by the owner, who holds a “Salt Sommelier” certification. The meat is seasoned with a house-blended salt mixture, and just before grilling, it’s sprinkled with a different type of rock salt. The complex harmony of the salt flavors further enhances the deliciousness of the lamb.

We also highly recommend the “Fried Raw Lamb Shoulder Loin,” a dish the owner perfected through trial and error. It’s a hidden gem that you can only enjoy here.

The Master of Detours

The salt-seasoned Genghis Khan features a blend of pre-seasoning and dipping salt that layers together—the umami slowly follows after each bite, creating a shockingly delicious experience! The “Fried Raw Lamb,” which I could never quite get right when I was a store manager, is tender and juicy—even kids will love it.

"Niku Bistro Yukitonikuto,"

• Step First Building, B1F, 6-10 Sanjo-dori, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido MAP
• About a 6-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station; about an 8-minute walk from OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts
• 5:00 PM–11:00 PM (Last Order 10:15 PM); Sundays, holidays, and the day after a holiday: until 10:00 PM (Last Order 9:15 PM)
• None
• 050-5595-1264

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[Asahikawa Genghis Khan Hitsujiya] The charm lies in the custom-made pot, full of playful touches, and rare cuts of meat

Ezo deer meat served in a pot shaped like Hokkaido

Located about a 7-minute walk from Asahikawa Station, “Hitsujiya” is a restaurant known for its striking custom-made pot shaped like Hokkaido. It’s full of playful touches, such as grilling meat at the “Asahikawa” section of the pot and stir-frying vegetables at the “Wakkanai” and “Sapporo” sections.

A must-try here is the rare “Ezo deer tongue,” sourced directly from hunters. It has absolutely no gamey flavor, with juices that burst in your mouth and a firm, satisfying texture—even when sliced thin, it’s incredibly satisfying. Surprisingly, it’s even easier to eat than beef or lamb tongue—a truly satisfying delicacy.

The Master of Detours

It was my first time trying venison tongue, and when paired with the restaurant’s original spice salt—flavored with black pepper and garlic—the umami of the venison really shone through, making it absolutely exquisite! They actually sell the spice salt, so I couldn’t resist buying some to take home as a souvenir.

Rare “Premium Raw Lamb” served in extra-thick slices, about 2 cm thick

The signature dish is the extra-thick-cut raw “Suffolk Cross Lamb,” a rare cut with extremely limited domestic distribution. The thick shoulder roast, grilled to perfection, is served with a special sauce. If you add our original cumin powder partway through, , the flavor transforms completely, revealing a whole new level of deliciousness. Each By using different dipping sauces, allowing you to fully appreciate the depth of Genghis Khan cuisine.

The Master of Detours

The real thrill of Genghis Khan is enjoying how the flavor changes with every bite. Not only is the meat delicious, but the vegetables—stir-fried to a fragrant crisp in lamb fat packed with umami—are absolutely fantastic. You’ll find yourself reaching for more and more of both the meat and the vegetables!

Asahikawa Genghis Khan Hitsujiya

• 1F, Yoshitake Union Building, 6 Sanjo-dori, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido MAP
• About a 7-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station, about a 10-minute walk from OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts
• 4:00 PM–11:00 PM (last order at 10:30 PM)
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 050-5592-8696

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[Sumiya] Classic Genghis Khan: Grilled over charcoal and served with just salt

Established in 1986! Savor the natural umami of lamb with nothing but salt

Located a 10-minute walk from Asahikawa Station, “Sumiya” has been beloved by Asahikawa residents since its founding in 1986. It’s known for its unique style of grilling over a charcoal grill, rather than the standard Genghis Khan hot pot. Their specialty is serving lamb that’s been thoroughly marinated and seasoned, enjoyed with just salt—no sauce required.It is precisely because no extra seasoning is added that you can directly experience the natural umami of fresh lamb—a truly moving culinary experience.

The Master of Detours

When I saw there was no sauce on the table, I sensed the restaurant’s commitment to relying solely on salt. Since it’s grilled on a mesh grill, the aroma of the charcoal infuses the meat, making it absolutely exquisite. While this place is also famous for its offal, as a true fan, I highly recommend trying the lean raw lamb!

The key is to turn the meat frequently to infuse it with the aroma of the charcoal fire

Unlike cooking in a pot, grilling on a mesh grill requires turning the meat frequently and cooking it slowly from all four sides— is the secret to its deliciousness. The "Goraku" is a "gourmet" restaurant that offers a variety of dining options. Heating the meat from all four sides, as if enveloping it, seals in the umami, creating the pleasant aroma unique to lamb and a perfectly satisfying texture. Simple yet profound—this is a masterpiece that truly lets you experience the “origins of Genghis Khan.”

The Master of Detours

Grilling the offal alongside the meat and watching the fat drip onto the grill to send up flames is another unique joy of grilling on a mesh grill. The lamb, infused with that smoky aroma, is simply exquisite. You can only experience this kind of fun with mesh-grill cooking!

Sumiya

• 8-chome, Gojo-dori, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido (Right 3) MAP
• About a 12-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station; about a 4-minute walk from OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts
• Weekdays, Sundays, and Holidays: 5:00 PM–10:00 PM (Last Order 9:30 PM)
  Fridays and Saturdays: 5:00 PM–10:30 PM (Last Order 10:00 PM)
• Mon.
• 0166-26-4303