There is a lot of reasonably priced and delicious food in the provinces compared to Tokyo, and Hakodate’s Lucky Clown is another great restaurant I would like to recommend.
Hm? What is Lucky Clown? Many people may be wondering.
Lucky Pierrot is a hamburger store based in Hakodate, Hokkaido, and is famous for its royal Chinese burger and other items.
The burgers are made to order, and although it takes a little time, the burgers are freshly prepared and hot to the touch.
In addition, the restaurant’s menu is unique in that it actively utilizes local ingredients and offers Hakodate-style dishes.
In this article, I will explain about Lucky Clown in Hakodate, including its history, points of attraction, recommended menu items, and sightseeing spots in the area, as well as my own experiences.
I hope you will be inspired to learn more about Hakodate’s Lucky Clowns.
How did Lucky Pierrot in Hakodate come into being in the first place?
Lucky Pierrot is a hamburger restaurant founded by Ichiro Oh in 1987 in the Hakodate Bay area.
Originally from Kobe, Mr. Oh used to manage a Chinese restaurant, but was attracted by the charms of Hakodate and moved there.
He named the restaurant “Lucky Clown” because he wanted to recreate the excitement of the circus he saw as a child.
The “clown” is the symbol of the circus, and the addition of “lucky” expresses a bright and lucky image.
Currently, the company operates 17 stores in and around Hakodate, and has become a favorite among local residents.
Why did Lucky Pierrot take root only in Hakodate and other parts of Hokkaido?
The reason Lucky Pierrot has taken root only in Hakodate is due to its community-based management strategy.
Founder Ichiro Oh believed that “it is interesting to be the only one in a region,” and chose to develop stores rooted in Hakodate.
Each store has a different theme and menu, and uses local ingredients.
In addition, by gaining the support of local residents as well as tourists, the restaurants have become established as a “taste of home” in Hakodate.
Heh. That look is a recreation of the excitement of a circus? It’s also interesting to know the founder’s thoughts on the circus…
Three Attractions of Hakodate’s Lucky Pierrot
I have summarized some of the attractions of Lucky Pierrot in Hakodate.
Signature menu with a hearty portion
The “Chinese Chicken Burger,” one of Lucky Pierrot’s signature dishes, is a hearty dish with three large pieces of fried chicken sandwiched between two large pieces of fried chicken.
The sweet and spicy Chinese sauce and homemade mayonnaise are a perfect match, and together with the crispy lettuce, it is a very satisfying meal.
The dish is cooked to order, so it is always freshly prepared.
Because of its delicious taste and powerful appearance, it is very popular among locals and tourists alike.
A restaurant that looks like a theme park
Each Lucky Pierrot store is decorated with a different theme, offering something new to discover each time you visit.
For example, the Togura store is decorated with retro posters and photos as a “hamburger history museum” that recreates an American hamburger store from the 1920s to 1960s.
The Jujigai Ginza store, for example, features an interior design that makes you feel like Christmas all year round.
These unique store creations are sure to delight visitors.
A full lineup of desserts
For dessert after dinner, we recommend Lucky Pierrot’s special “Silk Soft Ice Cream.
This popular item, of which 250,000 are sold annually, is characterized by its smooth melt-in-your-mouth texture.
The ice cream comes with a variety of toppings, including caramel nuts, banana chocolate, coffee jelly, and more.
On the 8th of every month, Silk Mix Soft (a mix of vanilla and chocolate) is offered at a 50% discount.
Indeed. It’s very unique to be able to enjoy not only the signature Chinese burger but also an amusement park …
My Recommendations for Famous Hakodate Lucky Pierrot Shops
In this article, I will introduce my favorite Lucky Pierrot restaurants in Hakodate and their recommended menus.
My recommendation for the best Lucky Pierrot restaurants in Hakodate
My recommendation for the best Lucky Pierrot restaurants in Hakodate
Bay Area Main Store
✅ Recommended Points
- The Bay Area Main Store, the first Lucky Clown store, opened in 1987.
- The theme of the interior is “Merry-Go-Round in the Forest,” with swing seats and wooden horse sculptures, creating a space that will take you back to your childhood.
- Located near the Kanamori Warehouse, a tourist attraction, it is easily accessible to tourists.
✅ Recommended menu
- Chinese Chicken Burger
- A hearty signature dish containing three pieces of juicy fried chicken.
- Silk Vanilla Soft
- This popular dessert contains silk, which is good for skin and health, and has a creamy taste.
Jujigai Ginza Store
✅ Recommended Points
- The Jujigai Ginza branch is a “Christmas” themed store, with Santa Claus dolls and decorations inside the store all year round.
- The atmosphere is like visiting an old house in a foreign country, delighting visitors.
- It is easily accessible, just a few minutes’ walk from the “Jujigai” streetcar stop.
✅ Recommended menu
- Chinese Chicken Omelet with Rice
- A perfect combination of sweet and spicy Chinese chicken and ketchup rice.
- Rakipotee
- A hearty side dish of French fries topped with meat sauce and cheese.
Tokura Store
✅ Recommended Points
- The Tokura branch is a “hamburger museum” themed store, with many posters and photos of American hamburger stores from the 1920s to 1960s on display inside the store.
- Located only a 5-minute drive from Hakodate Airport, it is an easy stopover on your way to or from your trip.
✅ Recommended menu
- Chinese Chicken Yakisoba
- The aroma of the savory sauce makes this yakisoba appetizing and nostalgic.
- Yaki Curry
- A limited menu item that allows you to enjoy the harmony of the flavorful curry and rich cheese.
Oh. Each restaurant has its own unique atmosphere and menu recommendations, so it’s hard to decide where to go…
Column: Why did you choose the name “Lucky Pierrot”?
Let’s dig a little deeper into the origin of the store.
Lucky Clown’s name comes from the childhood memories of its founder, Ichiro Oh.
As a child, he loved to watch the circus, peeking inside through the cracks of the tent every day whenever the tent circus performers came.
He wanted to recreate that exciting experience, so he adopted the iconic circus character “clown” as the name of his restaurant.
However, clowns have a somewhat sad image, so we added the word “lucky” to the name to dispel this image and named the restaurant “Lucky Clown.
The name reflects the founder’s desire to bring happiness and fun to visitors.
Heh. The fact that the gorgeous clown has a sense of melancholy is a quaint touch that shows the richness of the founder’s sensibility…
A spot to stop by while eating at Lucky Pierrot
Here are three recommended places to stop by in Hakodate during your meal.
✅ Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses
The Kanamori Red Brick Warehouses are a group of historic red brick warehouses along Hakodate Harbor that have now been revitalized as a shopping mall.
The area is divided into three sections: Hakodate History Plaza, Kanamori Youmonokan, and BAY Hakodate, and is lined with general merchandise stores, sweet stores, cafes, and more.
In particular, at the Hakodate Beer Hall, visitors can enjoy food made with local ingredients and fresh beer while experiencing the atmosphere of the Meiji era.
In December, “Hakodate Christmas Fantasy” is held and the port town is decorated with 150,000 lights.
It is easily accessible, about a 5-minute walk from Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Store.
