A Sapporo-based local office worker shares must-try foods that every visitor should experience in the city. This page introduces carefully selected restaurants, highlights their unique features, and explains what kind of travelers each place is perfect for.
All spots are located around convenient areas such as Sapporo Station and Odori Station, making them easy to visit even if you don’t have a car. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to enjoy Sapporo’s food scene efficiently and authentically.
Hokkaido specialty food
Ramen
When it comes to Sapporo food, ramen is a must-try dish. Japan is famous for its many regional ramen, but Sapporo ramen stands out as something truly special.
Sapporo ramen has two main characteristics.
The first is its thick wavy noodle. This type of noodles helps them cling to the soup, delivering rich flavor in every bite. They are also known for their chewy, satisfying texture.
The second is its rich miso-based soup.
Here are three must-visit spots for anyone interested in Sapporo ramen.
Sapporo ramen ally
「Sapporo ramen ally」is a famous ramen street with 17 different ramen shops.
By visiting this area, you can easily try the ramen you’ve been curious about and experience the diversity of Sapporo ramen in one place.
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It is about a 5 minute walk from Susukino Station.
Address: 1F N Grande Building, Minami 5-jo Nishi 3-chome 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Sumire
Sumire is one of Sapporo’s most iconic shops, highly popular with locals and tourists.
It is characterized by the scent of garlic and ginger combined with a deep, flavorful miso.
Among Sapporo ramen, this is a well-balanced, approachable style that appeals to a wide range of diners.
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It is about a 5 minute walk from Susukino Station.
Address: 2F, 9-2 Minami 3-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Ebisoba Ichigen
For those eager to go beyond classic flavors, Ebisoba Ichigen is a bold choice.
Its rich miso soup is infused with concentrated shrimp essence, releasing a powerful, savory aroma the moment you take your first sip.
Intensely flavorful yet refined, this unforgettable bowl captures the adventurous side of Sapporo food.
Sushi
Sapporo is a city blessed with exceptionally fresh seafood.
With major fishing ports such as Otaru and Hakodate nearby, visitors can enjoy sea urchin, salmon roe, scallops, and salmon at peak freshness.
Many Japanese travelers visit Hokkaido just to eat sushi, which shows how famous Sapporo is for its seafood.
Here are three must-visit spots for anyone interested in Sushi.
TORITON
Toriton is a sushi chain that originated in Kitami, Hokkaido.
Often described as “the face of Hokkaido sushi,” it has many locations across the region.
The restaurants are known for their refined atmosphere and generously sized toppings.
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It is a 1-minute walk from the Kita 8-jo Higashi 5-chome bus stop.
(It is about 10 minutes from Sapporo Station.)
Address: 19-1 Kita 8-jo Higashi 5-chome, Higashi-ku, Sapporo
Nemuro Hanamaru
Another well-known Hokkaido sushi chain is Nemuro Hanamaru.
Compared to Toriton, prices are slightly more affordable, while quality remains consistently high and well regarded by locals.
With locations inside Sapporo Station and in underground shopping areas, it is also easy to access.
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It is about 5 minutes from Sapporo Station by walk.
Address: 6F, JR Tower Stellar Place, Kita 5-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Matsuriya
This restaurant is recommended for travelers looking for a slightly different, insider-style experience, with a strong focus on the quality of its ingredients, especially salmon.
The lively atmosphere is another highlight, offering an engaging dining experience despite being a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant.
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It is a 3-minute walk from the Minami 11 Nishi 11 bus stop.
(It is about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station.)
Address: Stork Mansion Yamahana Park, 2-25 Minami 13-jo Nishi 10-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Genghis Khan
Hokkaido is one of the few places in Japan where you can enjoy Genghis Khan made with exceptionally fresh lamb, resulting in a clean taste with no strong odor.
The fact that special Genghis Khan grills are commonly found in households shows how deeply this food culture is rooted in Hokkaido.
Here are three must-visit spots for anyone interested in Genghis Khan.
YUUHI – Premium Salt-Aged Jingisukan
Using a unique salt-aging technique, the lamb is exceptionally tender and free from any strong odor. Even those who usually don’t enjoy lamb will find it easy and pleasant to eat.
The restaurant offers both set menus and all-you-can-eat courses, making it an ideal choice for anyone who wants to fully enjoy Genghis Khan to the fullest.
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It is a 2-minute walk from Susukino station.
address:10F, Central S4 Building,2-14-2 Minami 4-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku,Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0804
Genghis Khan Daruma
Daruma a long-established Genghis Khan restaurant, keeps things simple with just three lamb dishes on the menu.
It’s the perfect place for those who want to try classic, traditional Genghis Khan.
To finish the meal, you can enjoy a special Ochazuke (rice with green tea) that is available only at Daruma—an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
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It is a 2-minute walk from Susukino station.
address:1F, Minami 5-jo Nishi 4,Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0805, Japan
Aji no Hitsujigaoka
The writer’s top recommendation is Aji no Hitsujigaoka.
Especially popular with those who want to experience a local atmosphere, this restaurant serves lamb grilled quickly over traditional charcoal fire, then coated in a rich, sweet-and-savory sauce.
The meat is tender and juicy, making it hard to stop eating.
And its reasonable prices are another attractive point.
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It is a 2-minute walk from Susukino station.
address:5-25, Minami 6-jo Nishi 4-chome,Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806, Japan
Soup curry
Soup curry is a curry served in a soup-like form, flavored with aromatic spices.
It is characterized by its large-cut ingredients, such as potatoes and pumpkin grown in Hokkaido, which give the dish a satisfying and hearty texture.
This warming dish is perfect for staying cozy during Hokkaido’s long and harsh winters.
OKUSHIBASHOTEN
OKUSHIBASHOTEN is a well-known restaurant that created the original shrimp-based soup curry.
While most soup curry uses chicken or vegetable-based broth, OKUSHIBASHOTEN uses a rich soup that brings out the full umami of shrimp.
Another key feature is the high satisfaction of its ingredients.
The recommended “Hamburger Steak and Okushi Farm Vegetable Soup Curry” is topped with a hamburger steak made from 100% Hokkaido beef from Soya Cape Ranch. The juicy hamburger pairs perfectly with the rich soup.
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5 minutes on foot from Sapporo Station
Address: Pearl Town Restaurant Area, B1F, Hokuren Building,Kita 4-jo Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Soup Curry HIRIHIRI
Soup Curry HIRIHIRI is a restaurant that focuses on the balance of spices and Japanese-style dashi broth.
Its soup is known for the spices combined with the deep richness of dashi, earning strong support from many loyal fans.
One of its highlights is the use of Hokkaido-grown potatoes, mashed to create a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
This is a place where you can enjoy a depth of flavor and spice that sets it apart from other soup curry restaurants.
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1 minute on foot from Odori Station
Address: B1F, Minami 1-jo K Building, Minami 1-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Soup Curry GARAKU
Soup Curry GARAKU is a classic soup curry restaurant loved by locals.
It is extremely popular, and long lines are not uncommon depending on the time of day.
The soup is based on a refined Japanese-style dashi carefully made from pork and chicken.
With a mild level of spice, it is easy to enjoy even for children, making it a good choice for families. This restaurant is an ideal first stop for those trying soup curry for the first time.
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10 minutes on foot from Susukino Station
Address: B1F, Pleasant Minami 3 Higashi 2, 6-1 Minami 3-jo Higashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
