Butadon no Pancho: The Original Pork Rice Bowl in Obihiro, Hokkaido

Located about a three-hour drive east of Sapporo, Obihiro City is the sixth-largest city in Hokkaido.

Obihiro is known for being home to the flagship store of Rokkatei, famous for its Marusei Butter Sandwiches, as well as its beloved soul food, Indian Curry. But perhaps its most iconic dish is Butadon (pork rice bowl).

The restaurant that first popularized Obihiro’s signature Butadon is “Butadon no Pancho”, which we’ll introduce in this article.

Located right near Obihiro Station, this long-established restaurant is so popular that it often has long lines, especially on weekends and during the tourist season.

Since I had the chance to stop by Obihiro, I decided to visit this legendary Butadon spot as the first round of my double food adventure, followed by Indian Curry!

Pancho – The Birthplace of Butadon, Right in Front of Obihiro Station

Hokkaido is vast, making it impossible to explore every corner. Obihiro City is located in the central-eastern part of Hokkaido and is the sixth-largest city in the region, with a population of about 160,000.

I visited in March, when patches of snow still remained.

Pancho, the original Butadon restaurant, is just a three-minute walk from Obihiro Station.

Inside, the atmosphere exudes the charm of a long-established eatery. Most of the customers were either tourists or businessmen treating their out-of-town clients to a taste of local cuisine.

The restaurant staff consisted mainly of veteran female workers who provided warm and welcoming service, enhancing the cozy atmosphere.

Even the teacups boldly feature the words “Butadon.” Nice touch!

You can really feel the restaurant’s dedication to its customers through both the food and service.

Here’s the Butadon menu:
– Matsu (Pine): 900 yen
– Take (Bamboo): 1,000 yen
– Ume (Plum): 1,100 yen
– Hana (Flower): 1,300 yen
(*Prices as of 2016. As of 2024, each item has increased by 50 yen.)

Unlike typical rankings, the Ume (Plum) set is higher than Matsu (Pine) in this restaurant, meaning it comes with more meat. This unique ranking comes from the name of the grandmother who ran the shop, “Ume-san.” That’s such a heartwarming reason!

Since I was planning to visit Indian Curry afterward, I opted for the modest Matsu (smallest portion) and added a Namako Miso Soup (200 yen) as a side.

Thick, Char-Grilled Pork with a Special Sauce – Simply Delicious

When my bowl arrived, the pork slices were spilling out over the sides!
And this was supposed to be the smallest portion? My expectations skyrocketed.

The moment I lifted the lid, a mouthwatering aroma of grilled pork and sweet-savory sauce filled the air.

It looked absolutely delicious. Even with the smallest portion, the amount of meat was substantial, completely covering the rice.
I can’t imagine how massive the Hana (largest portion) would be!

The pork, grilled in a sweet and savory sauce, was just as good as it looked. The meat was quite fatty, and the rich flavors blended perfectly with the sauce.

Since the pork was thick, like a steak, it was very satisfying to eat.
If I hadn’t planned to eat another meal later, I probably would’ve gone for the Ume size. This was outstanding!

Another surprising highlight was the Namako Miso Soup. The broth was incredibly rich, making it a must-have for a dashi lover like me.
I could easily see myself using this broth for udon or rice porridge!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an amazing meal in Obihiro, Butadon no Pancho is a surefire place to enjoy an authentic and delicious Butadon.
While there are many other Butadon restaurants in Obihiro worth trying, visiting the original first is a safe bet.

You might have to wait in line, but the convenient location near the station makes it an easy stop.
Be sure to check it out!