[Tatsumi in Suttsu] Tasty Rice Topped with Broiled Atka Mackerel

Tatsumi

Suttsu Shokudo Izakaya Tatsumi (寿都食堂・居酒屋 たつ巳) is an izakaya (居酒屋 * Japanese style bara tavern) founded in 1984 in Suttsu town located in the southwestern part of Otaru city. Mr. Masaaki Okamoto (岡本 政明) is an izakaya owner. They run the izakaya in the evening and run a restaurant at lunchtime. * But they do not seem to open the restaurant now. The izakaya is popular with local people, and serves dishes using fresh seafood caught in the Suttsu and sake. In addition, the izakaya also serves Suttsu Atka Mackerel Rice (寿都ホッケめし) using noted product of the Suttsu. The owner also assumes a chairman of Association for Promotion of Suttsu Atka Mackerel Rice (寿都ホッケめし推進協議会).

The izakaya is on the 1st floor of a 2 story building, and is not so large. The interior decoration with an atmosphere of Showa period uses a lot of woods, so warmth of the woods is felt. Counter seats and small separate Japanese style rooms are provided, so I guess that even family customers and a large number of customers enjoy meals and drinks.

Suttsu Atka Mackerel Rice

I visited here to eat the Suttsu Atka Mackerel Rice around 11:30, just lunchtime opening time, on a weekday, and was the first customer on that day. I sat at a counter seat, and ordered it. The price was JPY 980. * Now they do not seem to open the restaurant.

The Suttsu Atka Mackerel Rice is a set meal using atka mackerel, and the Suttsu is the most caching place of the atka mackerel in Japan. It is rice topped with broiled atka mackerel in a hot iron plate. Customers pour salty-sweet sauce into the broiled atka mackerel, and eat it. The set meal contains 3 side dishes and a bowl of miso soup. 3 restaurants in the Suttsu serve the Suttsu Atka Mackerel Rice. The side dishes are different depending on each restaurants.

About 15 minutes later, the set meal was served. Its content were a plate of rice topped with broiled atka mackerel, a dish of sashimi (sliced raw fish), a dish of boiled vegetables, a dish of miller's thumb sculpin roe pickled in soy sauce, a dish of pickle and a bowl of miso soup. The color coordination of the dish was beautiful, so it sharpened my appetite.

I ate the broiled atka mackerel immediately. It was tasty! Salty-sweet sauce tasted just right. The atka mackerel skin had a crispy texture. It was the miller's thumb sculpin roe pickled in soy sauce that I was very impressed. Those were smaller than salmon roe, and those with snap texture and mild taste was very tasty. It might be a dish offered by chance this time. However, I was surprised at the taste of miller's thumb sculpin roe pickled in soy sauce. This might be for a rare dish.

By the way, customer came one after another while I was waiting for the set meal. Most of the customers were locals. The owner explained keeping the dish waiting for about 30 minutes to customers that came later. Still they waited for dishes. I saw that it was a popular restaurant after all. Thanks for the tasty meal!

Rice Topped with Broiled Atka Mackerel Combo and Atmosphere of Restaurant Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Rice Topped with Broiled Atka Mackerel Combo

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations in the Suttsu. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.