Hey there, hello! Welcome to Sapporo! As someone who’s lived in this city for 40 years, let me introduce you to a beloved Sapporo gourmet dish I really want you, our visitors from overseas, to try: “Soup Curry.”
You might see it in guidebooks, but I want to share its charms and little tricks that only a local would know, honestly and friendly-like. After reading this, you should have a deeper understanding like, “Ah, so that’s what soup curry is!” and your dining experiences in Sapporo should become even more enjoyable.
So, What Exactly is Soup Curry? How’s it Different from Regular Curry?
First things first. Soup curry is completely different from the thick Japanese curry rice you might know, or curries from India or Thailand.
- A Thin Soup: As the name suggests, its main feature is being soup-like. It’s served separately from rice, and you eat it by pouring the soup over the rice, or dipping the rice into the soup.
- Hearty Ingredients: It often contains large-cut vegetables and meat, sometimes added almost whole without much prior cooking in the soup itself. Think a whole chicken leg, or flash-fried broccoli, eggplant, and lotus root. You can really taste the ingredients themselves.
- Aromatic Spices: It’s characterized by a complex blend of various spices, making it highly aromatic. There’s even a theory it originated from medicinal soups, and many shops offer a spice profile that feels quite healthy.
Simply put, it’s like “a delicious soup packed with ingredients and spices, served with rice.”
Why Did Soup Curry Get Famous in Sapporo?
There are various theories, but there’s no doubt it originated in Sapporo and has been loved by locals for years. It might be a bit new to be called true “soul food” yet, but it’s definitely a popular staple that’s taken root in Sapporo’s food culture. It apparently started in a few coffee shops and curry houses and gradually gained popularity through word-of-mouth. Now, it’s said there are hundreds of soup curry restaurants just within Sapporo city. Each shop puts its own spin on the soup’s flavor, ingredients, and spice blend, making them incredibly unique.
That’s why, even though it’s just called “soup curry,” the taste can be completely different depending on the restaurant. That’s part of the fun, you know?
Ordering Soup Curry – There Are Little Tricks!
Walking into a soup curry shop for the first time, you might be overwhelmed by the number of choices on the menu. But don’t worry, the basics are simple.
- Choose Your Main Ingredient: Chicken, braised pork belly (buta kakuni), vegetables, hamburger steak, lamb, seafood… Pick the shop’s specialty or whatever you like.
- Choose Your Soup Type (Depends on the Shop): Some places let you choose the soup base – light, rich, tomato-based, shrimp broth-based, etc. If it’s your first time, asking the staff for a recommendation might be best.
- Choose Your Spice Level: This is quite important! It usually starts from 0 (not spicy) and goes up – 1, 2… getting hotter as the number increases. Some places have levels over 100 or their own unique scale.
【A Local’s Honest Opinion ①】 Seriously, the spice level standards vary wildly between shops. Just because you handled a “Level 5” fine at one place doesn’t mean the same “Level 5” at another won’t be incredibly spicy! That happens a lot. So, for your first time at a new shop, I absolutely recommend starting with a lower spice level. Many places offer spice oil you can add later if you want more heat. Don’t push your luck! 4. Choose Your Rice Amount: Usually Small, Medium, or Large. Soup curry can be surprisingly filling, so maybe start with a regular (Medium) size. The rice often comes with a lemon wedge. Squeezing this over the rice before eating it with the soup adds a refreshing touch – give it a try!
Where Can You Eat Delicious Soup Curry?
Sapporo’s central areas, especially Susukino and Odori, have many famous restaurants. They might be convenient to visit while sightseeing.
However, to be perfectly honest, the super famous places can get very crowded, especially during lunchtime and on weekends, sometimes with long queues. Waiting outside on a cold winter day or a hot summer day might be a bit tough.
But don’t worry! The interesting thing about Sapporo soup curry is that the famous spots aren’t the only delicious ones. There are plenty of hidden gems in areas slightly away from the center, or places only locals know about. These shops are often less crowded, allowing you to eat in a more relaxed atmosphere, and you might discover a unique bowl packed with the owner’s passion. Searching for places not in the guidebooks can be part of the travel adventure, right?
Honestly, I wish I could give you a local’s ranking of the best restaurants, but the truth is, pretty much all soup curry places here are seriously delicious, making it impossible to rank them properly. Sorry if you were expecting something like that!
For what it’s worth, I often find myself going to places like “Picante,” “Rakkyo,” or “Ramai,” but of course, there are tons of other amazing shops, and the quality level everywhere is really high. Feel free to try these, or maybe a completely different one, and find your own favorite!
【A Local’s Honest Opinion ②】 The classic chicken leg curry is delicious, no doubt, but personally, I love trying the unique or seasonal soup curries offered by different shops. For example, soup curry with oysters (kaki) or one with lamb shabu-shabu. I feel like these kinds of menu items really show off the shop’s true skill and creativity. If you see something like that on the menu, maybe be brave and give it a shot – it could be an interesting experience!
Definitely Give Sapporo Soup Curry a Try!
So, what do you think? Understand soup curry a bit better now? When you come to Sapporo, ramen and Genghis Khan (lamb BBQ) are great, but I really hope you’ll also try this unique “soup curry.” I’m sure you’ll find a bowl that you love.
If you’re unsure about choosing a restaurant or ordering, don’t hesitate to ask the staff. People in Sapporo are generally kind to travelers and will surely help you out.
I hope this article helps you make delicious memories during your trip to Sapporo!
