Hey everyone, and welcome to Sapporo! I’ve been living in this city for 40 years, and I’m here to spill some local secrets about our amazing seafood. I’ll share some “tasty info” that you probably won’t find in your usual guidebooks, so I’d be thrilled if you stick around till the end.
If you’re coming to Sapporo, you absolutely have to try the fresh seafood. Seriously, the bounty from Hokkaido’s seas is top-notch in both freshness and flavor. But, you know, “seafood” covers a lot of ground, and you might be wondering what to eat and where. So, for all you folks, I’m gonna share some prime local intel.
The Must-Try Big Three! Sapporo’s Exquisite Seafood Top 3
First up, these are the classics you just can’t miss – and they’re genuinely delicious.
1. Crab: Majestic Flavor, Diverse Tastes!
When you think of Hokkaido, crab is probably the first thing that pops into your head, right? It’s a staple. We’ve got Red King Crab, Horsehair Crab, Snow Crab… lots of varieties, and each has its own season and distinct taste.
- Red King Crab (Taraba-gani): This one’s huge and super satisfying! The plump meat is juicy and sweet. Grilling it or just boiling it відео is the way to go for a hearty feast. Personally, I love Red King Crab the most because you get these big, juicy chunks of meat packed with flavor. The best season is generally from autumn to winter.
- Horsehair Crab (Ke-gani): The rich crab miso (the ‘innards’) is to die for! The meat itself is delicate and sweet. The local way is to boil it and savor the miso first, you know? This one’s probably the local favorite. You can find it year-round, but it’s especially plump and tasty from spring to summer.
- Snow Crab (Zuwai-gani): Known for its delicate and refined sweetness. Eating it as sashimi or in a shabu-shabu hot pot really brings out its amazing flavor. The males are sometimes called “Matsuba-gani” or “Echizen-gani” in other parts of Japan, but the Snow Crab from Hokkaido is just as good, believe me. The females, called “Kobako-gani,” are smaller but their unfertilized eggs (uchiko) and fertilized eggs (sotoko) are a real delicacy.
Here’s a little inside scoop from a local: Honestly, with crab, it’s not like every single one is a guaranteed winner. Especially at some tourist-focused places, you might occasionally think, “Hmm, this isn’t quite it.” So, if you can, it’s probably best to buy from a shop at a market that locals frequent, or a place you can trust. And, like I said, eating it in season is always your best bet.
You can buy crab at the market and boil it yourself, or go all out with a full crab course at a specialty restaurant. Splurge a little and treat yourself to some amazing crab!
2. Sea Urchin (Uni): Melt-in-Your-Mouth Sweetness, A Moment of Bliss
Some of you might not be fans of sea urchin, but I’m telling you, try fresh Hokkaido uni, and it might just change your life! It’s that good.
- Bafun Uni: Known for its rich, creamy texture and intense sweetness. It has a deep orange color that’s super appetizing. The main season is summer.
- Murasaki Uni: Compared to Bafun uni, this one is a bit lighter and has a more elegant sweetness. Its season is from spring to summer.
Uni-don (sea urchin rice bowl), uni nigiri sushi, grilled uni… it’s delicious any way you have it, but nothing beats fresh, raw uni savored just as it is. The moment it hits your tongue, you get that wonderful aroma of the sea, and the melt-in-your-mouth texture with that rich sweetness is just incredible.
Now, I gotta be honest, uni might be a bit of a hurdle for some folks from overseas… (lol). It’s incredibly delicious, but I’ll apologize in advance if it turns out to be a bit of a gamble for you. But, as a local, I can definitely recommend it, so if you’re feeling brave, give it a shot! You know, freshness is everything with uni, so the truly best season is quite short. The uni from the Shakotan Peninsula in summer is particularly amazing. It’s worth a little trip from Sapporo.
3. Scallops (Hotate): Plump, Juicy, and Endlessly Versatile!
Hokkaido scallops are famous for being incredibly large and meaty! Eat them as sashimi, and you’ll enjoy that firm, plump texture and sweetness. Pan-fry them with butter, and the amazing aroma and rich umami will fill your mouth.
They’re also great fried, or in a scallop rice dish. They’re a true all-rounder that goes well with anything. There isn’t really a specific peak season as they’re good year-round, but they’re said to be particularly sweet from spring to early summer before spawning, as they contain more glycogen.
If you go to a market, you might find stalls grilling live scallops on the spot. If you see one, definitely try it. A piping hot scallop with a little soy sauce drizzled on top? Pure bliss!
But Wait, There’s More! Other Recommended Sapporo Seafood
Beyond the top 3, there’s plenty of other delicious seafood I want you to try in Sapporo.
- Squid/Cuttlefish (Ika): Especially the “Ma-ika” (Japanese flying squid) caught in Hakodate and southern Hokkaido from summer to autumn. It’s almost translucent and has an amazing firm, chewy texture! Eating it as “ika somen” (thinly sliced squid noodles) with ginger and soy sauce is a classic. You can get fresh ones in Sapporo too.
- Shrimp/Prawn (Ebi): Sweet shrimp (Ama-ebi), Botan shrimp (Botan-ebi), Striped shrimp (Shima-ebi)… Hokkaido has a rich variety of shrimp. Botan shrimp, in particular, are large and plump, and eating them as sashimi or sushi will fill your mouth with sweetness and make you a happy camper.
- Fish Roe (Gyoran): Ikura (salmon roe), Tarako (cod roe), Kazunoko (herring roe) – these are perfect with rice and are Hokkaido specialties. That popping texture and rich flavor? You might get hooked once you try them.
Where to Eat? Local-Recommended Spots
Okay, so where should you go to eat all this amazing seafood? Let me introduce a few recommended spots.
1. Sapporo’s Kitchen! Experience the Vibe and Freshness at the Markets!
You can’t skip the markets, right? They’re lively, fun to just look around, and above all, you’re highly likely to get super fresh stuff.
- Sapporo Central Wholesale Market Jogai Market (Sapporo-shi Chuo Oroshiuri Shijo Jogai Ichiba)
- Access: About a 7-minute walk from Nijuyonken Station on the Tozai Subway Line. It’s also walkable from JR Soen Station.
- Features: It’s right next to the central wholesale market where pros do their shopping, so the freshness is guaranteed. There’s a whole line of seafood shops and restaurants, and it’s bustling from early in the morning. You’ll hear energetic calls from the vendors – just walking around is exciting.
- Here’s a little inside scoop from a local: There are so many different shops here, so I really recommend taking your time to look around. Some shops might be open to a bit of bargaining, but don’t be too pushy, okay? We all want a pleasant shopping experience. Also, going early in the morning is definitely the best. You’ll find tons of fresh items, and the popular seafood bowl restaurants are usually less crowded.
- Official Website: https://www.jyogaiichiba.com/ (I could only find it in Japanese, so you might need to use your browser’s translation feature.)
If you’re eating at the market, a seafood rice bowl (kaisen-don) is highly recommended! You get to taste various kinds of seafood all at once, and they look so vibrant and exciting. Ask the staff for their recommendations and savor the best catch of the day.
Keep in mind that prices and opening hours can change, so please be sure to check the latest information on their official websites or similar sources before you go.
2. The Art of the Chef! Sapporo’s Sushi Restaurants
If you’re in Hokkaido, you’ve got to have sushi, right? Sapporo has tons of delicious sushi restaurants.
- Counter-style Sushi Restaurants: They might seem a bit intimidating, but sushi made right in front of you by a skilled chef is exceptional. Savoring it slowly while asking about the seasonal ingredients and recommendations is the ultimate luxury. It might be a bit pricier, but I think it’s worth it.
- Conveyor Belt Sushi (Kaiten-zushi): It’s often said that conveyor belt sushi in Hokkaido is high-level, and it’s absolutely true. The toppings (neta) are fresh and generous, and the prices are reasonable. It’s perfect for enjoying with family or friends. Many places now have touch-panel ordering, which is super convenient. Actually, I’ve written another article with more details about conveyor belt sushi in Sapporo. If you’re interested, I’d be happy if you checked out “A Sapporo Local’s Guide to Enjoying Conveyor Belt Sushi.” I introduce recommended spots and some tips on how to enjoy it from a local’s perspective.
Popular sushi restaurants, both counter-style and conveyor belt, can get very crowded, especially on weekends and during meal times. If you can make a reservation, do it, or try going at slightly off-peak hours. Still, for delicious sushi, it’s worth a bit of a wait, I think.
3. Frequented by Locals! Izakayas Boasting Great Seafood
Even at the kind of izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) that locals frequent, you can find many places serving delicious seafood. Enjoying an assorted sashimi platter made with fresh seafood sourced from the market, or grilled fish, or simmered fish, along with some local sake – it’s the best.
The great thing about izakayas is that they also have a variety of other dishes besides seafood, so if you’re with a group, you can share and try many different things. Now, popular spots can get pretty lively, so if you’re looking for a quiet meal, it might feel a bit noisy. But, the prices are generally quite reasonable, and you get to experience a local atmosphere with a closer interaction with the staff and other customers, which is a big plus.
Local-Only Tips & Tidbits
Since you’re here, let me share a few extra tips that only a local would know.
- Be Mindful of the Season: I know I keep saying this, but seasonal food is exceptionally delicious. Just doing a little research on what’s in season during your trip can make a huge difference in your satisfaction.
- Souvenir Shopping: If you’re buying souvenirs at a market, don’t hesitate to ask the shop staff how long an item will last, or if they can pack it securely for travel. Many products are vacuum-sealed, which is a good option. However, fresh items spoil quickly, so you’ll need to be careful – like buying them on your departure day or ensuring they’re kept well-chilled.
- Beware of “Market Price” (Jikka): Especially for items like uni and crab, you might see them labeled “時価” (jikka), which means market price. This means the price changes depending on the day’s catch, so it’s a good idea to confirm the price before ordering, just to be safe. This is especially common at high-end places, so even if you’re not too worried about the budget, it’s smart to double-check.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
To make your trip enjoyable, there are just a couple of things I’d like you to be aware of.
- Allergies: If you or someone you’re with has any allergies, please make sure to tell the restaurant staff before ordering. This is really important, so don’t hesitate.
- Crowds: Popular restaurants and markets often get very crowded, especially on weekends and during lunch and dinner times. It’s a good idea to allow plenty of time or make use of reservations. During peak tourist seasons, like summer vacation or the winter Snow Festival, everywhere tends to be packed, so planning ahead is wise.
- Language Barrier: In major tourist spots and hotels, English is often spoken, but in smaller shops, it might still be Japanese-only. Having a translation app or learning a few simple Japanese phrases can help make communication smoother.
Finally
So, what did you think? Did I manage to convey some of the charm of Sapporo’s seafood?
Sapporo truly has an abundance of delicious food. And the seafood, especially, is something I believe will give you an unforgettable,感動 (kandou – deeply moving) experience. If this article helps enrich your Sapporo trip even a little, I’d be really happy.
Eat lots of delicious food, and enjoy Sapporo to the fullest! We’ll be waiting for you!
