Sapporo, a city for food lovers
1) Soup curry
Soup curry is a Hokkaido-style version of Japanese curry, changed into a soup-based dish. It usually includes chicken or pork, plus large-cut vegetables or fried toppings. Unlike typical Japanese curry, it has a broth-like texture, so you enjoy it like a soup with a spoon.
2) Kaisendon (海鮮丼)
In Japanese food, dishes ending with '~don (丼)' usually mean a rice bowl. Kaisendon is a seafood rice bowl with assorted seafood on top of rice.
In central Sapporo, Nijo Market has many kaisendon specialty restaurants, and it is a good place to enjoy fresh seafood. However, some travelers say the portion size is not always generous for the price, so keep this in mind.
3) Jingisukan
Jingisukan is a Hokkaido-style hot plate dish made with lamb. It usually uses young lamb (under 1 year old), so the smell is mild and it is easy to enjoy.
One popular story says that after World War I, imports of wool and leather became difficult. The Japanese government then promoted large-scale sheep farming in Hokkaido, and the dish was developed to use the remaining meat.
So why is the dish called 'Jingisukan'?
One theory says that during the imperial era, the name of Genghis Khan was borrowed and used for the dish. Another theory says that when people thought of 'sheep', they strongly associated it with 'Mongolia', and Genghis Khan was the most famous figure linked to Mongolia.
Hakodate’s sea and street flavors
1) Ika somen
'Ika (イカ)' means squid in Japanese, and Hakodate is especially famous for squid. Ika somen is fresh squid sliced into thin strips like somen noodles. You dip it in a soy sauce-based sauce, or eat it with noodle broth and ginger.
When eating live squid sashimi in Hakodate, it is common to mix squid innards into soy sauce and dip other parts into it, so keep this in mind.
Besides ika somen, you can also try ikadon (squid rice bowl) with raw squid on rice.
2) Lucky Pierrot burger
Lucky Pierrot is a bold, unique burger chain found only in Hakodate. The interiors are decorated in a retro, metro-style theme, which makes it popular with travelers.
- Chinese Chicken Burger: the signature menu item, with crispy chicken and a special sauce
- Futoccho Burger: a giant burger sold in limited quantity—only 20 per day—worth trying if you want a challenge
- Lucky Garana (ラッキーガラナ): a local Hokkaido soda, a good match with burgers
Hokkaido’s 3 famous ramen styles
1) Sapporo miso ramen
Miso (みそ) means Japanese fermented soybean paste. This ramen is made by mixing miso into a rich pork-bone broth.
It became widely popular from the 1950s, and it is now a Sapporo classic. The city even has “Ramen Yokocho (ラーメン横丁, Ramen Alley)”, showing how loved it is by locals.
2) Hakodate shio ramen
Shio (塩) means salt. This ramen is a light, clean broth made from chicken and kombu (kelp), seasoned with salt.
It is known for its clear, transparent soup and simple, neat flavor, and it is a representative ramen style of Hakodate.
3) Asahikawa shoyu ramen
This ramen uses a deep broth made from pork bones, chicken, and seafood, with soy sauce (shoyu) as the base.
It is known for a savory, umami-rich soup. A signature Asahikawa style is adding a layer of pork fat on top, so the soup stays hot even in cold winter.
Otaru, a city for sushi
Sushi
Otaru is also known as a key setting of the manga 'Mr. Sushi King', and the real sushi restaurant that inspired the shop where the main character worked is located here.
There is also a Michelin 2-star sushi restaurant, so if there is a place you want to visit, it is best to make a reservation in advance.
Without a reservation, entry may be restricted even if seats are available, so be careful.
A kingdom of dairy
Hokkaido is a region with a strong dairy industry, so dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter are especially famous.
Many people say it has a richer, more creamy taste than regular milk. Wherever you go, you can also try local soft serve ice cream made with regional ingredients.
Because flavors and ingredients vary by area, comparing different soft serves during your trip can be a fun part of traveling.
