Izakaya Kusachi Sapporo 2025: Complete Guide to 30-Year Local Favorite's 4 Signature Dishes & Susukino Food Tour
Sapporo is the central city of Hokkaido, located in the northern region of Japan. It is one of the top popular destinations for Japanese tourism, serving as a base for enjoying Hokkaido's great nature, including winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
One of Sapporo's major attractions is its gourmet food scene. Sapporo is famous as one of Japan's premier gourmet cities, known for luxurious seafood, dairy products, and Genghis Khan dishes made with lamb.
In this article, I would like to introduce a restaurant I recommend in Sapporo - Izakaya Kusachi. I will explain in detail the appeal of Kusachi, where you can enjoy high-quality Hokkaido gourmet food at reasonable prices.
If you're looking for a restaurant you can casually visit in Hokkaido, please use this as a reference.
Sapporo is a Treasure Trove of Ingredients Where Top-Class Exquisite Gourmet Food in Japan Gathers
Sapporo is a treasure trove of ingredients where you can eat a wide variety of Japan's finest exquisite gourmet food.
Hokkaido is surrounded by cold seas, and unique, fresh seafood is caught abundantly throughout the year. Additionally, since agriculture and dairy farming are among the most thriving in Japan, high-quality and delicious vegetables and dairy products are also plentiful.
Ingredients gather in Sapporo, the center of Hokkaido, from all over the region. In the city of Sapporo, there are many famous restaurants where you can eat exquisite gourmet dishes made with these ingredients.
Sapporo is a city where you can enjoy countless gourmet foods, including Genghis Khan, Hokkaido's local cuisine, highly popular crab dishes among seafood, and Sapporo-originated local foods such as Soup Curry and Miso Ramen.
If You Want to Enjoy Exquisite Snacks and Alcohol in Sapporo, Izakaya Kusachi is Recommended!
Source:Tabelog
If you want to casually enjoy exquisite snacks and alcohol in Sapporo, this gourmet city, I recommend Izakaya Kusachi.
Izakaya Kusachi is a popular izakaya restaurant located in Susukino, Sapporo's entertainment district. The reason Izakaya Kusachi is popular is that you can enjoy high-quality alcohol and local snacks made with Hokkaido ingredients at reasonable prices.
It is a restaurant that has been loved for many years by local people who have been visiting for years, as well as by travelers who come to enjoy Hokkaido cuisine.
Kusachi is located on the 7th floor of a building and is a restaurant that is difficult to find from outside. Also, since the restaurant is small-scale and always crowded with many customers, it is recommended to make a phone reservation before visiting if possible.
Overview and Access to Izakaya Kusachi
- Address: 7F South 3 West 4 Building, 21-6 Minami 3-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 17:00 - 23:00
- Regular Holidays: Sundays and Public Holidays
- Phone Number: 0112320204
- Official Website: None
Three Appeals of "Izakaya Kusachi," a Famous Susukino Restaurant Loved for Over 30 Years
Numerous High-Quality Dishes You Can Taste at Reasonable Prices
Source:Tabelog
The biggest reason why Izakaya Kusachi, which has been operating in Susukino for over 30 years, is loved is that you can enjoy high-quality cuisine at surprisingly reasonable prices.
At Kusachi, you can enjoy a wide variety of snacks called "Otsumami" in Japanese that are eaten together with alcohol, as well as Japanese-style dishes that are substantial enough for dinner.
Exquisite dishes using Hokkaido's abundant ingredients and fresh seafood, such as the signature crab dish Crab Daruma and Sashimi, can be eaten at prices that are unthinkably reasonable compared to Tokyo.
For example, rolled sushi filled with plenty of fresh tuna is surprisingly cheap at 1,100 yen for 12 pieces. All Otsumami and alcoholic beverages are also priced affordably, allowing you to casually try many Hokkaido dishes and drinks.
Alcohol Lineup Ranging from Famous Sake to Rare Brands
Source:Tabelog
Kusachi has an abundant selection of famous local sake from Hokkaido, rare brands, and sake brands from the Tohoku region and all over Japan. There are also plenty of beer, wine, shochu, and sours, and all alcoholic beverages can be enjoyed at reasonable prices.
Hokkaido's local sake pairs excellently with exquisite seafood. My favorite is "Phoenix" from Nemuro, Hokkaido, which is also popular at the restaurant, and I always drink it every time I visit. The dry and crisp taste enhances the rich deliciousness of seafood.
When drinking with crab, such as the signature dish Crab Daruma, I recommend drinking it as Hot Sake as it brings out the flavor of the crab and makes it even more delicious.
A Calm Interior Where You Can Enjoy the Atmosphere of a Typical Japanese Izakaya
Source:Tabelog
The interior of Kusachi has a retro design where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese izakaya. Inside the restaurant, there are counter seats and seats where you sit on cushions placed on the floor.
Since Kusachi is located on the 7th floor of a building and is difficult to find from outside, most customers are regulars or people who have heard about its reputation and made reservations. Therefore, it has a friendly and homely atmosphere.
What I liked was that first-time customers don't constantly come in from outside one after another. It's not too noisy, and you can relax and enjoy your meal and drinks in a calm atmosphere.
4 Must-Order Menu Items When You Visit Izakaya Kusachi
From here, I will introduce four menu items that I highly recommend ordering when you visit Izakaya Kusachi. All of these dishes are signature menu items with outstanding reputations among both first-time travelers and regular customers, so please don't forget to try them.
Izakaya Kusachi's Specialty "Teppanyaki of Squid and Innards Marinated in Sanshozuke"
Source:Tabelog
"Teppanyaki of squid and innards marinated in Sanshozuke" is a signature menu item at Izakaya Kusachi, a dish where squid and squid innards are stir-fried together with Sanshozuke. Sanshozuke is a local dish from Hokkaido, made by pickling green chili peppers, soy sauce, and koji together.
The unique sweet and spicy flavor of Sanshozuke intertwines with the tender squid and mellow-flavored squid innards, creating an exquisite deliciousness. The spicy taste becomes even more delicious when eaten with rice, so please be sure to order rice as well.
I first tried Sanshozuke here at Izakaya Kusachi and was so impressed by its deliciousness that I started trying it at many other restaurants. You can also purchase bottled Sanshozuke at gift shops around town.
"Grilled Shishamo with Roe" - A Popular Drinking Snack Among Locals
Source:Tabelog
Next, what I want you to order at Kusachi is the fresh "Grilled Shishamo roe" that can only be eaten in Hokkaido.
The small fish Shishamo is a commonly eaten fish in Japan. It is caught along the Pacific coast of Hokkaido and is one of the fish deeply loved by Hokkaido locals.
Fresh Shishamo eaten in Hokkaido is packed full with small eggs, has concentrated fish umami, and is characterized by a popping texture.
When I ate Grilled Shishamo roe at Kusachi, I was impressed by its refined taste with minimal fishiness. The grilling was also exquisite, allowing me to enjoy the crispy texture of the skin. Shishamo pairs exceptionally well with Japanese sake, so please try eating it together with sake as snacks.
"Crab Daruma" - A Masterpiece That Evokes Japan's Beautiful Four Seasons
Source:Tabelog
One of Kusachi's signature menu items is "Crab Daruma," where the shell is packed full with shelled crab meat. You can eat plenty of Hokkaido's fresh crab meat, and at ¥1,200, it's surprisingly reasonable in price.
This is an especially popular dish among travelers who come looking forward to Hokkaido crab. When I ordered it at the restaurant, I was surprised that the crab shell plate contained much more crab meat than I expected.
A nice point was that it was easy to eat since I didn't need to remove the crab meat from the shell myself. I was extremely satisfied being able to eat plenty of crab with its rich umami and subtle sweetness. When you dip it in the accompanying crab vinegar, acidity is added and it takes on a refreshing flavor.
Exquisite "Rolled Omelet" with Beautiful Appearance
Source:Tabelog
When you visit Kusachi, please don't forget to eat the "Rolled omelet." Rolled omelet is a standard menu item at Japanese Izakayas, and Kusachi's Rolled omelet is characterized not only by its delicious taste but also its beautiful appearance.
Generally, Rolled omelet is made by beating together egg whites and yolks and then cooking the egg mixture, but Kusachi's Rolled omelet has the white and yolk parts cooked separately. The orangish-yellow color of the yolk part is vivid and beautiful.
When you taste it, the seasoning from Japanese-style soup stock has permeated through, giving it a fragrant and gentle flavor. I recommend eating it as a break between drinks and seafood, as it will also give your stomach a rest.
You Should Enjoy Sapporo's Exquisite Food at Establishments Loved by Locals!
If you want to taste exquisite food in Sapporo, I recommend visiting establishments loved by locals, like Izakaya Kusachi introduced so far.
If you use the Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour, a local guide who loves the city of Sapporo will take you to three recommended bars and restaurants around Susukino.
A humorous local guide will show you around the city of Sapporo like a friend and explain the rich food culture of Sapporo and Hokkaido. Of course, you can enjoy exquisite seafood, and those who wish can also visit restaurants serving Miso Ramen, Sapporo's local food.
If you come to Sapporo and don't know which restaurants to visit first, why not participate in this tour and get information about recommended restaurants and gourmet food from the guide?
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- Meeting point: Under the giant NIKKA Sign outside of Susukino station
- Tour area: around Susukino area
- Start time: 18:00, 19:00
Restaurants Where I Recommend Foodies Can Enjoy Local Food
Genghis Khan Ishida
Source:Tabelog
Genghis Khan Ishida is a restaurant where you can enjoy Sapporo's famous Genghis Khan cuisine. Genghis Khan cuisine is a local dish of Hokkaido, where mutton or lamb meat is grilled together with Hokkaido vegetables and eaten.
At Genghis Khan Ishida, you can eat Genghis Khan cuisine made with carefully selected lamb. They also serve Suffolk meat from Shibetsu, Hokkaido, which is a premium brand meat available in few places.
The Shibetsu Suffolk meat I ate was surprisingly fresh and delicious with no gamey smell. The staff will carefully explain the many types of meat and differences in taste. If you want to eat fresh Genghis Khan without any strong odor, please check out Genghis Khan Ishida.
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- Address: 2F, 2-9 Kita 1-jo Nishi 8-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Regular holiday: Open year-round
- Phone number: 0112529708
- Official website: https://www.instagram.com/atsushiishida0509/
Garaku (Soup Curry)
Source:Tabelog
Garaku is a restaurant where you can eat Soup Curry, a popular local food in Sapporo. Soup Curry is not the typical thick curry roux common in Japan, but rather a spicy soup-style curry dish that originated in Sapporo.
Garaku is a popular Soup Curry restaurant with locations in Hokkaido and Tokyo. Garaku's Soup Curry is characterized by curry soup that is well infused with Japanese-style soup stock and tender chicken legs.
In addition to the standard menu item with chicken legs, I also recommend the menu with soft, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly. You can choose the spiciness of the soup from 40 levels, and freely select the amount of rice and toppings.
If you want to try Soup Curry, please start by trying Garaku's Soup Curry.
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- Address: Presant Minami 3 Higashi 2 B1F, 2-6-1 Minami 3-jo Higashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0112529843
- Official Website: http://www.s-garaku.com/
Ganso Ramen Yokocho Sapporo
Source:Tripadvisor
If you want to eat another popular local food of Sapporo - Sapporo Miso Ramen, visit Ganso Ramen Yokocho Sapporo.
Ganso Ramen Yokocho is a street where many ramen restaurants gather. There are also many shops where you can enjoy Sapporo Miso Ramen, a miso-flavored soup ramen born in Sapporo.
Among the 17 stores currently operating in Ganso Ramen Yokocho, I especially recommend the long-established ramen restaurant "Aji No Karyu". At Aji No Karyu, you can enjoy traditional Sapporo Miso Ramen with sweet miso soup topped with butter and corn.
Since many popular stores gather here, please visit several shops and try various flavors of Ramen.
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- Address: N Grande Building 1F, 3-6 Minami 5-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: Depends on the store
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: Depends on the store
- Official Website: http://www.ganso-yokocho.com/
Two Recommended Shops for Foodies Who Want to Enjoy Authentic Sapporo Food
Sushi Miyakawa
Source:Tabelog
Sushi Miyakawa is a high-end sushi restaurant near Maruyama Park in Sapporo. It is a famous restaurant that has received three Michelin stars and is known as a popular establishment where reservations are difficult to obtain.
At Sushi Miyakawa, an omakase course is offered featuring luxurious appetizers, individual dishes, and nigiri sushi. You can enjoy perfect deliciousness prepared with reliable technique, using abundant seafood and ingredients from Hokkaido.
The sea urchin, which is Sushi Miyakawa's specialty, is sourced from various production areas so that the best condition sea urchin can be provided in any season. When I ate there, I was moved by the elegant, odorless taste with a subtle sweetness that can only be experienced with carefully prepared sea urchin.
If you want to experience moving deliciousness and eat Authentic Sushi, please make a reservation at Sushi Miyakawa.
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- Address: Lichtrale Maruyama 1F, 2-2 Kita 4-jo Nishi 25-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Regular Holiday: Wednesday
- Phone Number: 0116132221
- Official Website: http://www.sushi-miyakawa.com/
Oga
Source:Tabelog
Oga is a Japanese restaurant where you can eat regional cuisine from Hokkaido and Japan's Tohoku region. You can enjoy a wide variety of dishes using fresh vegetables directly from production areas in Hokkaido and luxurious seafood.
At Oga, you can abundantly enjoy crab dishes that are also extremely popular at Izakaya Kusachi introduced in this article. The "Live hair crab sashimi" I ordered was prepared from luxurious Hokkaido horsehair crab that was taken out from the in-store tank after ordering.
It was extremely fresh with a plump texture of the meat and a strong sweet taste, making it exquisite. There are many other luxurious crab dishes such as boiled king crab and crab shabu-shabu.
There is also a wide variety of alcoholic beverages including Hokkaido sake, shochu, and wine. For those who want to enjoy Authentic Japanese cuisine in a more refined space than a casual Izakaya, this is a highly recommended restaurant.
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- Address: Sunthree Building 8F, 3-1 Minami 3-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0112423328
- Official Website: https://oga-sapporo.com/
If You Want to Deeply Enjoy Tourist Destinations Throughout Japan, It's Recommended to Be Guided by a Local Guide
If you want to deeply enjoy tourist destinations throughout Japan, including Sapporo introduced so far, it's recommended to participate in tours guided by local guides.
In Magical trip tours, guides who were born and raised in that city or know it well will guide you from a local's perspective.
Local guides will tell you in a friendly manner about the charms of the area that only locals know, in cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Hiroshima.
Food culture in particular has many different characteristics in each region of Japan. If you participate in food tours or bar hopping tours, local guides can teach you about the deep food culture of that area and recommended restaurants.
Please check the tours held in the city you want to visit on the Magical trip website.
