Everything you need to know about Sapporo’s amazing ramen noodles!
As one of Japan’s top ramen cities and the birthplace of miso ramen, Sapporo has so many ramen restaurants that you won’t know where to start. We’ll help you find a bowl of ramen you’ll love!
Sapporo is the birthplace of ramen noodles in miso broth, and the city’s ramen is now one of Japan’s top regional dishes. The classic dish features crinkled noodles with a medium thickness in miso broth, with seasonings such as bean sprouts and onion adding the perfect accent to the flavor.
Miso ramen made its debut in 1958, with the miso broth created by Morito Ohmiya, the first owner of Sapporo miso restaurant Aji no Sanpei, and a new style of noodles developed by Takayuki Nishiyama, the founder of Nishiyama Seimen. The noodles are aged in large quantities of water, making them smooth and easy to eat.In addition to the classic miso ramen, Sapporo ramen has evolved to include various broths from soy sauce and salt to crab. These newer styles are more than able to hold their own, with popular salt and soy sauce ramen restaurants popping up around Japan in recent years. We recommend trying all of them and seeing which one you like best!
And you can find great deals on ramen by downloading the Sapporo Gourmet Coupon app.
The secret behind Sapporo ramen’s amazing taste
Mention Hokkaido to a Japanese person and one of the first things they’ll think of is its delicious ramen. Sapporo is one of Hokkaido’s top three ramen spots the others being Asahikawa and Hakodate and its ramen has been a firm favorite dish among locals for generations. The phenomenon is said to have begun with a stall at Nijo Market after World War II, before spreading to the entertainment district of Susukino and various spots around the city. It is now a smash hit among locals and tourists alike. So what makes Sapporo ramen so popular? The answer is the noodles! The crinkly noodles with a medium thickness were developed especially for miso ramen, with their thickness, elasticity and wavy shape designed to hold the broth well. That perfect match between the noodles and the broth is what makes Sapporo ramen so irresistible. The first stop on your ramen journey in Sapporo must be Sapporo Ramen Yokocho. With 17 famous miso ramen restaurants, this alley is always hopping with locals and tourists. Make sure to check out the details—sometimes there are events with special deals like half-price ramen.
The Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho
Where to find the best miso ramen
We know the miso ramen restaurants that started it all and the places that draw a crowd. Visit each of these must-try restaurants and you’ll notice that each restaurant’s carefully perfected broth is unique. Here are our top picks!
Aji no Sanpei
The miso ramen phenomenon began right here. Aji no Sanpei serves classic Sapporo ramen with a miso broth and plenty of vegetables.
Saimi
One look at the crowds in this restaurant and you can tell the locals have given it their seal of approval. The white miso-based broth has a rich yet refreshing flavor, with grated ginger adding a unique accent.
Ramen Sapporo Ichiryuan
This restaurant has earned legions of fans for its Hokkaido ingredients and the care that is taken with every last grain of flour used in the noodles (that’s where it gets its name!) Its top dish pairs its famous energizing miso ramen with char siu made from prime pork shoulder for a top-of-the-line bowl of ramen.
Keyaki (Susukino flagship store)
The miso ramen in this specialty restaurant has been made with care—the pork knuckles, vegetables and other ingredients are simmered for over 10 hours to draw out the delicious umami flavor. Try the ramen that locals rave about!
Check out the most famous places for yourself!
In addition to the classic miso ramen, Sapporo has a plethora of restaurants serving other styles such as soy sauce or salt ramen. Some have garnered media attention for their carefully perfected dishes—here are some you can’t miss!
Japanese Ramen Noodle Lab Q
This restaurant created a buzz with its ramen featuring Hokkaido Shintoku chicken(free range chicken). Salt ramen and soy sauce ramen are both mainstays here, each one perfected for a mindblowing flavor. Make sure you try the famous char siu—the word on the street is that you’ll be hooked after the first bite.
Ame Wa, Yasashiku No. 2
Ame Wa, Yasashiku No. 2 became a hit with its new style of ramen where white chicken liver paste is dissolved in the broth. No other restaurant serves this taste sensation, and locals can’t get enough of it.
Ramen Yoshiyama Shoten (Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku branch)
Sesame seeds add a unique aroma and taste to the rich miso ramen served here. Combining two types of miso with pork bones, the broth is thick yet smooth enough to drink the very last delicious drop.
Tsunatori Monogatari
This restaurant stands out from the rest with its rich, punchy flavor and blend of spices you’ll want to enjoy again and again. The chef used to work in restaurants specializing in Western foods, and this background comes through in the inventive new dishes that sit beside umami-rich classics such as soy sauce and salt ramen on the menu.
Enjoy great deals with Sapporo Gourmet Coupon!
Check out all the Sapporo Tourist Association’s top picks for ramen and other cuisine in the Sapporo Gourmet Coupon app. Download it now for great deals on amazing meals!
