Alright, leave it to me! As someone who’s lived in Sapporo for 40 years, I’m excited to share my top 10 must-try foods for anyone visiting from overseas. Reading this will definitely make your Sapporo trip even more delicious and fun. I’ll be dishing out the deep魅力 (charm) of Sapporo’s food scene, with a dash of “insider info” that you won’t find in guidebooks. So, get your appetite ready and let’s dive in!
- Can’t-Miss in Sapporo! A Local’s Serious Picks for the Top 10 Best Foods
- No. 10: Start Your Day Happy! Exploring Sapporo’s Amazing Bakeries
- No. 9: Thick and Juicy! The Star of Hokkaido’s Izakayas: Grilled Atka Mackerel (Hokke no Hiraki)
- No. 8: With an Ice-Cold Beer! Sapporo’s Craft Beer & Sausages
- No. 7: A Bite of Mother Nature’s Best! Hokkaido-Grown Corn & Potatoes
- No. 6: A Local Soul Food! Piping Hot and Juicy “Zangi”
- No. 5: The Perfect Finish! Sapporo’s Original “Shime Parfait” & Rich Soft Serve Ice Cream
- No. 4: Freshness is Key! Melt-in-Your-Mouth Seafood Bowls & Casual Conveyor Belt Sushi
- No. 3: Born in Sapporo! The Deep World of Spices in “Soup Curry”
- No. 2: Gather Around the Hot Pot! Hokkaido’s Famous “Genghis Khan” (Jingisukan)
- No. 1: This Is It, After All! The Royal Road and Evolution of Sapporo Ramen
Can’t-Miss in Sapporo! A Local’s Serious Picks for the Top 10 Best Foods
Sapporo has a ton of delicious food, but I’ve carefully selected the absolute “must-tries.” I’ll introduce them consequências (ranking style), so be sure to check them out when you’re feeling hungry!
No. 10: Start Your Day Happy! Exploring Sapporo’s Amazing Bakeries
It might be surprising, but Sapporo is a city معروف (famous) for its fantastic bakeries. Locals often grab something for breakfast or a little snack from their favorite spot. Breads made with Hokkaido-grown wheat and dairy products are particularly flavorful and highly recommended.
Popular bakeries can have lines forming early in the morning, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. Just a heads-up, your target bread might sell out, so it’s best to go early. But hey, even if it does, don’t be disappointed! All their other breads are delicious too, and it’s a great chance to find a new favorite.
No. 9: Thick and Juicy! The Star of Hokkaido’s Izakayas: Grilled Atka Mackerel (Hokke no Hiraki)
If you want to savor Hokkaido’s seafood treasures year-round, you absolutely can’t miss “Hokke no Hiraki” (grilled Atka mackerel)! It’s a staple at Hokkaido’s izakayas (Japanese pubs), and the hokke you get in Sapporo is on a whole different level in terms of size and fattiness compared to what you might find elsewhere in Japan.
Slow-grilled over charcoal, the skin is crispy and fragrant, while the meat is plump and juicy. One bite, and the rich umami flavor explodes in your mouth. And let me tell you, it pairs incredibly well with Hokkaido’s local sake and shochu.
A little “insider tip” from a local: Truly delicious hokke no hiraki is a world away from what you might grill at home. The ones you get at an izakaya, expertly charcoal-grilled by a pro, have an exceptional aroma and texture. It’s the kind of dish that makes the drinks flow a little too easily! Sometimes the bones can be a bit prominent, which might feel a tad bothersome to eat. But when you consider how thick and flavorful the meat is, it’s a small price to pay. Enjoying delicious hokke with some local sake on a trip night out? That’s a prime memory in the making.
No. 8: With an Ice-Cold Beer! Sapporo’s Craft Beer & Sausages
When you think of Sapporo, you think of beer, right? Big beer halls like the Sapporo Beer Garden (https://www.sapporo-bier-garten.jp/ – it’s in Japanese, but try using your browser’s translate function) are great, but recently, more and more shops offering unique craft beers have been popping up. From beers made with Hokkaido-grown hops to those with fruity notes, the variety is truly impressive.
And what goes better with beer than sausages? Handmade sausages using local Hokkaido pork are incredibly juicy and irresistible. It goes without saying they’re a perfect match for beer. Hopping around different shops to compare various beers and sausages can be a fun travel memory in itself.
No. 7: A Bite of Mother Nature’s Best! Hokkaido-Grown Corn & Potatoes
“Oh, just vegetables?” Please don’t say that! Freshly harvested corn and potatoes in Hokkaido have a truly deep flavor and sweetness that’s unlike anything else. The peak season is from summer to autumn, and the “yakiとうもろこし” (grilled corn) sold at stalls in Odori Park (https://odori-park.jp/en/) is unbelievably fragrant and delicious!
As for potatoes, enjoying them simply as “jaga bata” (potato with butter) is probably the best way to savor their natural flavor. Buying pre-packaged ones at souvenir shops is fine, but eating them locally is truly the best. Honestly, though, if it’s not peak season, the wow-factor might be a little less. But even so, I guarantee they’ll taste different from what you’re used to.
No. 6: A Local Soul Food! Piping Hot and Juicy “Zangi”
“What’s Zangi?” you might ask. Simply put, it’s deep-fried chicken. But it’s not just any fried chicken! Each shop has its own unique seasoning and frying style, ranging from punchy garlic and ginger flavors to lighter, salt-based versions.
You can easily find it at “teishoku-ya” (set meal restaurants) and izakayas, and it’s perfect سواء (whether) with beer or as part of a rice meal. It’s also a staple in local bento boxes. Zangi is great because it’s delicious even when cold, but nothing beats devouring it piping hot and fresh out of the fryer!
No. 5: The Perfect Finish! Sapporo’s Original “Shime Parfait” & Rich Soft Serve Ice Cream
The new evening classic in Sapporo is the “Shime Parfait.” It’s a parfait you eat after drinks or a delicious dinner, and there are so many specialty shops offering gorgeous and tasty creations. You’ll be spoiled for choice with options like parfaits loaded with seasonal fruits or those made with rich pistachio cream.
And of course, when in Hokkaido, you have to indulge in dairy products! It’s no exaggeration to say that the rich soft serve ice cream here is pretty much guaranteed to be amazing wherever you get it. Shops directly managed by dairy farms offer an even fresher taste. For more details, I’d be happy if you checked out my article on Sapporo Sweets & Treats. Many of these parfait places are open late, but be warned, popular spots often have long lines. Still, I think they’re well worth the wait!
No. 4: Freshness is Key! Melt-in-Your-Mouth Seafood Bowls & Casual Conveyor Belt Sushi
When you come to Hokkaido, you absolutely can’t miss out on fresh seafood! If you head to places like the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market’s Curb Market (Jogai Ichiba), you can enjoy “kaisen-don” (seafood bowls) packed with the morning’s freshest catch. Salmon roe, sea urchin, crab, scallops… these glittering toppings generously piled on rice are a feast for the eyes and soul.
If you’re looking for something more casual, conveyor belt sushi (kaitenzushi) is also highly recommended. The quality of conveyor belt sushi in Sapporo is exceptionally high, with fresh, generously sized toppings. Places like “Toriton,” “Nagoyakatei,” and “Hanamaru” are incredibly popular with locals too. They tend to get crowded during lunchtime and on weekends, so it might be wise to go at slightly off-peak times. My articles on Sapporo’s conveyor belt sushi and more broadly on Sapporo’s seafood scene would be great references.
No. 3: Born in Sapporo! The Deep World of Spices in “Soup Curry”
Soup curry is now famous nationwide, but it actually originated right here in Sapporo. It’s characterized by a thin, spicy soup broth packed with large, chunky ingredients. From tender chicken legs and braised pork belly to a heap of colorful vegetables, the ingredients and soup flavors vary greatly from shop to shop, making it a truly deep and fascinating dish.
Many places let you choose your spice level and rice portion, so you can customize it to your liking. If you’re trying it for the first time, it’s a good idea to ask the staff for their recommendations. Here’s an “insider tip” from a local: Soup curry is one of those addictive foods that I find myself craving regularly – I probably eat it twice a month! However, popular spots often have long queues during lunchtime, so it’s best to go with plenty of time to spare or visit during off-peak hours. Want to know more? Then definitely check out my dedicated soup curry guide!
No. 2: Gather Around the Hot Pot! Hokkaido’s Famous “Genghis Khan” (Jingisukan)
This is the quintessential Hokkaido gourmet experience: Genghis Khan! It’s a dish where you grill mutton or lamb along with vegetables on a uniquely shaped cast-iron skillet, and it’s incredibly delicious. The lamb, which is tender and doesn’t have a strong gamey taste, is so good you might find yourself eating an endless amount.
Many restaurants have their own homemade dipping sauces, which are guaranteed to make you want more rice! It also pairs exceptionally well with beer, so you might end up drinking a bit too much. The only slight downside is that the smell can cling to your clothes, but hey, that’s all part of the travel memories. Many popular places require reservations, so it’s a good idea to check in advance. For more on the wonders of Genghis Khan, I’d love for you to read this article where I passionately discuss it.
No. 1: This Is It, After All! The Royal Road and Evolution of Sapporo Ramen
Taking the undisputed No. 1 spot is, of course, ramen! Sapporo is particularly famous for its miso ramen, but there are also many delicious shoyu (soy sauce) and shio (salt) ramen shops. A rich miso broth clinging to medium-thick, curly noodles, combined with the sweetness and aroma of stir-fried vegetables – it’s a bowl that warms you to the core, especially on a cold day.
Recently, it’s not just traditional Sapporo ramen; new styles of ramen are constantly emerging, making it really fun to compare them. Tourist spots like the Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho (http://www.ganso-yokocho.com/ – it’s a Japanese site, so try using your browser’s translate function) are fine, but seeking out hidden gems frequented by locals is also a great adventure. If you’re unsure which shop to try, I recommend starting with miso ramen. I’ve also put together a detailed guide to Sapporo ramen, so if you want to dive deeper, please give it a read!
So, what did you think? Sapporo has so many more delicious things that I couldn’t fit in here. I hope this information helps make your trip to Sapporo the best it can be. Please come visit Sapporo with an empty stomach! We’ll be waiting for you!
