Top 8 Must-Try Dishes in Hokkaido - Genghis Khan and More

Hokkaido is a treasure trove of delicious food, with fresh ingredients and a unique food culture. Here are 10 must-try dishes to try when you visit, including miso ramen, seafood rice bowls, and Genghis Khan.
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Table of Contents
- 1. Miso Ramen
- 3. Seafood bowl
- 2. Soup curry
- 6. Fresh sushi
- 4. Genghis Khan (grilled lamb)
- 5. Ishikari Nabe
- 7. Zangi (Hokkaido-style fried chicken)
- 8. Soft serve ice cream and dairy products
- summary
- Join a Hokkaido Izakaya Tour with Trip To Japan!
Hokkaido is not only a winter paradise with beautiful snowy landscapes, but also a treasure trove of delicious food. Its cool climate, vast land area, and location surrounded by the Pacific Ocean nurture fresh ingredients and a unique food culture.
In this article, we will introduce some of the representative dishes that you should definitely try when you visit Hokkaido. From fresh seafood to rich ramen and luxurious sweets, Hokkaido cuisine never ceases to fascinate those who eat it.
1. Miso Ramen

Hokkaido is known as the birthplace of miso ramen. Unlike salt ramen or soy sauce ramen in other regions, Hokkaido miso ramen is characterized by a rich miso-based soup. It is often topped with butter, sweet corn, and fresh vegetables, making it the perfect bowl for the cold season. There are many ramen specialty shops in Sapporo, each with their own unique miso ramen.
1) Menya Yukikaze Susukino Main Branch 📍19 minutes walk from Sapporo Station
2) Menya Ayami 📍25 minutes from Sapporo Station
3. Seafood bowl
Hokkaido seafood is world-famous, and the best way to enjoy its deliciousness is with a seafood bowl. Fresh sea urchin, salmon roe, Atka mackerel, and salmon are lavishly served, and you can enjoy a simple yet exquisite taste. You can enjoy fresh seafood bowls at Nijo Market in Sapporo and the morning market in Hakodate.
2. Soup curry
Soup curry is a popular dish unique to Hokkaido. It is soupier than regular curry, and the spicy soup is mixed with daikon radish, sweet corn, and fresh vegetables. You can choose the toppings according to your preference, such as chicken or seafood, so it is easy to customize, which is one of its charms.
6. Fresh sushi
Hokkaido sushi is attractive because of the fresh ingredients that are blessed by the Pacific Ocean. In particular, you can enjoy ingredients unique to Hokkaido, such as salmon, sea urchin, Atka mackerel, and crab. There are many famous sushi restaurants in Hakodate and Otaru, which are worth visiting.

4. Genghis Khan (grilled lamb)
Jingisukan is a popular lamb dish in Hokkaido. Lamb marinated in a special sauce is grilled on a hot plate together with vegetables. It is often served at izakayas and specialty restaurants in Sapporo, and goes perfectly with beer.

5. Ishikari Nabe
Ishikari nabe is a local dish from eastern Hokkaido, a miso-based hotpot dish. It is a heart-warming dish made by simmering salmon, daikon radish, tofu, and fresh vegetables in miso and Hokkaido butter. It is perfect for the cold season, and is one of the dishes that allows you to learn about Hokkaido's traditional food culture.
1) Local cuisine Oga 📍10 minutes by train from Sapporo Station
7. Zangi (Hokkaido-style fried chicken)
Hokkaido's Zangi is a dish of chicken marinated in a sweet and spicy soy sauce-based sauce, deep-fried until crispy. The batter is thin and crispy, and the dish is juicy. It can be easily found in markets and food stalls, and is a familiar Hokkaido dish for the common people.
You can enjoy it in a variety of places, including izakayas, sushi restaurants, and ramen shops.

8. Soft serve ice cream and dairy products
The soft serve ice cream, made with milk from cows raised on Hokkaido's vast farms, is characterized by its rich and smooth taste. Seasonal flavors are available at Farm Tomita and farms around the country. Sweets such as butter, cheese, and Shiroi Koibito are also famous products that represent Hokkaido.

summary
Hokkaido cuisine is all about using local ingredients and traditions. You can enjoy a diverse food culture, including famous dishes such as miso ramen, seafood bowls, and Genghis Khan.
If you visit Hokkaido, be sure to try these delicious delicacies and enjoy its rich food culture.
Join a Hokkaido Izakaya Tour with Trip To Japan!
Explore Sapporo's hidden izakaya gems on a bar-hopping food tour in Susukino. Enjoy local seafood, drinks, and unique spots, including an izakaya shaped like an ice cream cone. Led by a local guide, this tour is your chance to experience Sapporo's nightlife in an authentic way. Perfect for foodies and adventurers!
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