Hi Reader,
The weather is getting cold these days… which means, it’s time for something warm and savory, right?
Yes, that’s ramen!🍜
Ramen is often said the national dish of Japan. Ramen shops are everywhere across the country, but Hokkaido ramen is especially popular among Japanese people.
So today, let’s dive into the big 4 of Hokkaido ramen. Get your chopsticks ready!🥢
Sapporo Miso Ramen
Sapporo is the birthplace of miso ramen. Thick, wavy egg noodles are often used to match the nutty, sweet flavor of miso.
In addition to regular ramen toppings such as roasted pork slices (char siu) and bamboo shoots, many shops in Sapporo offer different kinds of toppings - for example, corn, seafood, and beansprouts. Try whatever you feel like, and find your best combination!
My absolute favorite is a piece of butter. It makes the soup so creamy and rich.
Popular restaurants in Sapporo
- Ramen Shingen: Long-loved by locals. Be prepared for a long line. Their miso ramen and fried rice is the best combo.
- Sumire: The classic of Sapporo miso ramen, quite famous across Japan.
- Saimi: Their signature miso ramen has a lighter taste with a refreshing kick of ground ginger.
- Keyaki - Dedicated to miso ramen, serving no other flavors. Light and tasty with veggie toppings and clear soup cooked for over 10 hours.
Asahikawa Shoyu Ramen
Shoyu (soy sauce) ramen is the favorite ramen among Japanese people! Not as heavy as Sapporo miso ramen, Asahikawa ramen is nice and simple with soy sauce-based soup and medium-thick, wavy noodles.
Many ramen shops in Asahikawa use a mix of seafood, pork, chicken, and vegetable broths to add the complexity of flavors.
Another unique thing about Asahikawa ramen is adding lard to the soup. A layer of oil covers the entire surface of the soup, which keeps the temperature of the bowl hot. Winter in Asahikawa could get to as cold as minus 30 degrees - lard is a key ingredient to adapt to the harsh winter there.
Popular restaurants in Asahikawa
- Ramen Aoba: Long-established in 1947. The soup has mild soy sauce and seafood flavors, cooked over a day.
- Hachiya: Rich and strong flavor with a special topping of burnt pork fat and dried bonito flakes.
- Tenkin: Rich tonkotsu-based shoyu ramen in traditional style with simple toppings to fully enjoy the taste of the soup and noodles.
Kushiro Shoyu Ramen
Kushiro shoyu ramen gained its fame nationwide later than the other three major areas.
Since Kushiro ramen does not use any additives or preservatives in its noodles, it was difficult to expand its reach outside of Kushiro back in the time. However now, it’s proudly one of the biggest Hokkaido ramen destinations!
Kushiro ramen is defined as using simple, light soy sauce soup and thin wavy noodles. With the mild flavor and quality ingredients, you will never get tired of it.
Popular restaurant in Kushiro
- Uocchi: Been listed on MICHELIN Guide Hokkaido. Their signature ramen uses homemade fish sauce from saury.
- Kawamura: A classic shoyu ramen with a mild soy sauce taste, using special broth made with seafood and onions.
- Maruhira: Extra thin and wavy noodles and light, clear soup with a rich bonito flavor. Always crowded.
Hakodate Shio Ramen
Hakodate’s signature is shio (salt) ramen. It has a lighter taste than miso and shoyu ramen, but is no less than flavorful. It uses clear mild soup made with pork and chicken broth as a base, adding a salt-based sauce.
Shio ramen is actually my favorite - the flavor is simple but deep. Since the soup is not strongly seasoned, it allows you to enjoy the pure taste of broth and toppings better.
Popular restaurants in Hakodate
- Ajisai: Established over 80 years ago, famous across Japan. Rich clear soup using Hokkaido kelp, pork and chicken, with a hint of ginger.
- Horan: Most loved by locals, light and mild classic soup. Add their popular siu mai dumplings to the side!
- Jiyoken: Simple, mild shio ramen with homemade noodles. Recommended to pair it with gyoza or fried rice. Gets full as soon as the shop opens.
Want to know 5 other local ramen that are more unique?😋 Check out my full blog post: Hokkaido Ramen Guide
I also have many other posts about Hokkaido local food.
Happy trip planning!
Best,
Yuuka
P.S. my top recommended resources
✅ List of Hokkaido itineraries
✅ My Hokkaido travel planners
✅ The best hotels in Hokkaido
