Crab Red

Hokkaido having the best of everything in gastronomic terms is no secret, and this new Asakusa restaurant is looking to spread the Okhotsk Sea love through their lone menu item: the Crab Red Curry, which goes for a cool ¥1,680. From the roux with dashi made with three different types of fish sauce from Abashiri and deshelled king crabs, to the Bihoro-grown white rice, king crab from the Sea of Okhotsk and coriander grown in the Tokachi region, it's an exquisite synthesis of Hokkaido in a bowl. The actual crab floating in it is served half-cracked, so eating it is a less messy affair than those times when you need pliers, crowbars and wrenches to ply the grand beast open. You can also adjust the spice level of the curry, but be warned: they use a chilli that made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for its spiciness, so add heat at your own peril. There's a Hokkaido touch on the drink side of things as well, with Okhotsk Blue Draft (yes, it's actually blue) beer and Ryuhyo ('drift ice') lassi made with Hokkaido yogurt. A meal here may not come cheap, but it's certainly less taxing on your wallet than a flight to Sapporo – even in the off-season.