Top 10 must-try dishes in Hokkaido

• Table of Contents
• 1. Miso Ramen
• 2. Soup curry
• 3. Seafood bowl
• 4. Genghis Khan (grilled lamb)
• 5. Ishikari Nabe
• 6. Fresh sushi
• 7. Zangi (Hokkaido-style fried chicken)
• 8. Soft serve ice cream and dairy products
• 9. Ainu cuisine
• 10. Ramen salad
• summary

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 characterized by its juicy texture. It can be easily enjoyed at markets and food stalls, and is a familiar Hokkaido dish for the common people.

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.

9. Ainu cuisine

If you visit Hokkaido, you should also try the traditional cuisine of the Ainu people, the indigenous people of Hokkaido. Their dishes are simple and made with game (venison, etc.), river fish, and wild vegetables, and although they are simply seasoned, you can enjoy the original flavor of the ingredients. It's also a great opportunity to learn about Ainu culture.

10. Ramen salad

Ramen salad is a refreshing dish made by topping cold ramen with fresh vegetables (cucumber, tomato, daikon, etc.) and finishing it with a soy sauce-based dressing. It is especially popular in the summer and can often be found in restaurants and izakayas in Sapporo.

summary

Hokkaido cuisine is all about making the most of the local ingredients and traditions. From traditional dishes such as miso ramen, seafood bowls, and Genghis Khan to unique dishes such as Ainu cuisine and ramen salad, you can enjoy a diverse food culture.

If you visit Hokkaido, be sure to try these delicious delicacies and enjoy its rich food culture.