Sapporo Food Guide 2025: 10 Must-Try Local Dishes & Best Restaurants
Sapporo, located in the center of Hokkaido, is known as one of Japan's leading gourmet cities. Recently, it has gained tremendous popularity, with many tourists visiting not only from within Japan but also from overseas. This comprehensive Sapporo Food Guide 2025 is designed specifically for tourists seeking the ultimate culinary experience.
In Sapporo, where fresh seafood and rich bounty from the land gather, the local dishes that can only be tasted in this region are exquisite. Moreover, Sapporo is lined with establishments where you can enjoy delicious drinks alongside your meals, and it's also attracting attention as a nightlife destination.
In particular, the Susukino area, where many izakaya, bars, and nightclubs are concentrated, bustles with activity until late at night every day. This Sapporo Food Guide 2025 will introduce foods you should definitely try and recommended restaurants when you visit Sapporo.
Sapporo is One of Japan's Premier Destinations for Exquisite Local Cuisine
The city of Sapporo is known throughout Japan as a treasure trove of local cuisine. The fresh seafood nurtured by rich nature, agricultural products that make full use of the bounty of the earth, and dairy products from livestock raised freely on vast lands - all are exquisite.
Moreover, in Hokkaido, located at Japan's northernmost tip, a food culture has developed that is distinctly different from central cities like Tokyo and Osaka. These new flavors you've never tasted before will surely captivate visitors and satisfy both their hearts and stomachs.
Since you're taking the trouble to visit Japan, check out the gourmet food that interests you in advance using this Sapporo Food Guide 2025 and fully enjoy your Sapporo sightseeing experience.
Exquisite Dishes You Should Enjoy at Least Once When You Come to Sapporo
When visiting Sapporo, you should definitely try the local exquisite gourmet food featured in this Sapporo Food Guide 2025. Dishes that make use of fresh ingredients will all become unforgettable flavors.
Genghis Khan (Jingisukan)
Genghis Khan BBQ, where you eat lean lamb with vegetables, is healthy yet seasoned to go well with rice and alcohol, making it a Sapporo gourmet dish that people of all ages and genders should definitely try.
Genghis Khan BBQ is a representative lamb dish of Hokkaido. Lamb and vegetables are grilled in a characteristically shaped pan and enjoyed with each restaurant's special sauce. Try comparing tender, mild-flavored lamb with mutton that has a rich lamb flavor to find your preferred taste.
Charcoal-grilled Genghis Khan Ishida
Source:Tabelog
"Genghis Khan BBQ Ishida" is an essential famous restaurant when enjoying Genghis Khan BBQ in Sapporo, and a must-visit establishment featured in every comprehensive Sapporo Food Guide 2025.
The lamb served is grilled over the restaurant's specialty bincho charcoal (Japanese-origin charcoal), so excess fat drips away and the meat's original umami is concentrated. Furthermore, at Genghis Khan BBQ Ishida, the fact that they have a rich menu using fresh meat and vegetables beyond just Genghis Khan BBQ is also an attractive point.
In particular, the exceptionally fresh raw lamb will shock you with its clean, refreshing taste without any gamey odor and its melting tenderness. The compatibility with the special sauce is also excellent, making your rice and drinks go down smoothly. The interior is lively and has an atmosphere that's easy for foreign tourists to enter.
Store Information:
- Address: 2nd Floor, Maruni Hashiba Building, 2-9 Kita 1-jo Nishi 8-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 11:00-23:00 (Last Order for Food: 22:30, Last Order for Drinks: 22:30)
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 011-252-9708
Hokkaido Ramen
Hokkaido ramen was born to help people survive Hokkaido's harsh winters, serving as soul food for locals that warms the body from the core. Among the most popular varieties, Sapporo ramen is characterized by its rich miso-based soup, featuring a deep, complex flavor achieved by slowly simmering tonkotsu and chicken broth.
The dish also delights diners with curly noodles that hold the soup well, vegetables that add sweetness, flavorful roast pork, and chewy menma bamboo shoots. Beyond Sapporo, Hokkaido ramen varies by region, including Asahikawa's soy sauce ramen and Hakodate's salt ramen, each with its own distinctive characteristics.
Ganso Ramen Yokocho Sapporo
Source:Tripadvisor
Hokkaido ramen tastes completely different depending on the shop. Ganso Ramen Yokocho Sapporo, located in central Sapporo, brings together several ramen shops with unique personalities, allowing you to choose your preferred establishment on the spot.
This collection ranges from long-established shops serving traditional Sapporo ramen to newer establishments experimenting with innovative variations, making it perfect for comparing different styles. While Sapporo has many other ramen shops throughout the city, I recommend Ganso Ramen Yokocho Sapporo particularly for its atmosphere.
The sight of small shops lining narrow alleys will feel refreshingly new to foreign tourists. Since some shops stay open late, you can stop by even after drinking in Sapporo's entertainment district.
Details:
- Address: 1F N Grande Building, 8 Minami 5-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: Varies by shop
- Closed: Varies by shop
- Phone: Call each shop directly
- Official Website: http://www.ganso-yokocho.com/
Ishikari Hot Pot
Ishikari hot pot is a representative dish of Hokkaido cuisine. This hot pot features salmon as the main ingredient, generously filled with tofu, green onions, spring chrysanthemum, shimeji mushrooms, chikuwa fish cake, and other ingredients, all seasoned with miso.
The soup, infused with salmon's umami and the sweetness of vegetables, develops a deep, rich flavor. Ishikari hot pot can also be enjoyed with a finishing touch of sansho (a Japanese spice) sprinkled on top. Sansho eliminates any fishy smell from the salmon while greatly enhancing the overall flavor.
This luxurious dish unique to Hokkaido warms both heart and body.
Oga
Source:Official website
For authentic Ishikari hot pot, "Oga" comes highly recommended. Oga is a restaurant that maintains traditional Hokkaido flavors, allowing diners to experience Japanese history through their meals.
Their popular Ishikari hot pot features well-marbled salmon born and raised in Hokkaido. The restaurant's original miso soup blend is deeply infused with salmon's umami, creating such a flavorful broth that you'll want to drink every last drop.
Beyond Ishikari hot pot, Oga offers an abundant selection of local dishes featuring Hokkaido's seafood and mountain delicacies, making it an attractive destination where you can fully enjoy Hokkaido's culinary treasures. The restaurant's calm interior atmosphere makes it perfect for those who want to enjoy their meal at a leisurely pace.
Details:
- Address: 8F & 9F Sun Three Building, 3-1 Minami Sanjo Nishi 3, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Last Order 10:00 PM)
- Closed: None
- Phone: 011-231-0810
- Official Website: https://oga-sapporo.com/
Sushi & Sashimi
Hokkaido is surrounded by seas on all sides and boasts some of Japan's finest fishing grounds. This makes it an attractive destination where you can savor fresh, high-quality sushi and sashimi.
Seasonal seafood is abundantly caught throughout the year, including fatty tuna, sweet scallops, and rich-flavored sea urchin. Hokkaido's sushi chefs possess the expertise to maximize the quality of these ingredients, delighting visitors with their delicate techniques and exceptional dining experiences.
Sushi Miyakawa
Source:Tabelog
If you want to taste the finest sushi and sashimi in Sapporo, "Sushi Miyakawa" is absolutely unmissable. The restaurant uses only the freshest seafood carefully selected from the market each morning, allowing you to enjoy the day's finest flavors.
Particularly, the melt-in-your-mouth fatty tuna and the sea urchin nigiri that fills your mouth with rich sweetness are quintessential Hokkaido flavors. Be sure to order these when you visit the restaurant.
Another attractive feature of Hokkaido sushi restaurants, being close to fishing ports, is that you can enjoy delicious ingredients at more reasonable prices compared to Tokyo establishments.
Enjoy a special dinner time in Sapporo, the gourmet district.
- Address: 1F Lichtorale Maruyama, 25-2-2 Nishi, Kita 4-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 1st seating 17:00~19:15, 2nd seating 19:30~
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone: 011-613-2221
- Official Website: https://www.sushi-miyakawa.com/
To maximize your enjoyment of Sapporo's nightlife, the best approach is to discover authentic flavors beloved by local people. The "Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour" features local guides who lead you through the deep back alleys of Sapporo's entertainment district, Susukino, visiting hidden gems that tourists can rarely find on their own.
You can enjoy not only classics like Genghis Khan BBQ and ramen, but also dishes made with Hokkaido's local ingredients and Sapporo's delicious alcohol alongside local people. If you want to relax and fully enjoy Sapporo's nightlife without worrying about language or etiquette, make use of this tour.
Soup Curry
Soup curry, originating from Sapporo, has more liquid content than curry commonly eaten in Japan and is characterized by large toppings added afterward. Unlike curry rice, it's enjoyed more like a soup.
The taste varies by restaurant, but chicken, pork, and vegetables are slowly simmered together with spices to create deep, complex flavors. Many establishments allow you to freely choose the spice level, rice quantity, and toppings, making it enjoyable to create your own original curry to your preference.
SOUP CURRY GARAKU
Source:Tabelog
"Soup Curry GARAKU" is particularly popular among soup curry restaurants in Sapporo. Their secret soup is made by slowly simmering multiple spices with carefully selected ingredients, creating complex umami flavors that become addictive.
At Soup Curry GARAKU, you can choose from a rich lineup of toppings including chicken, grilled vegetables, and cheese, making it fun to find your favorite combinations. Among these, my personal favorite is the chicken leg that's so tender you can break the meat with a spoon. You can enjoy the fragrant meat as is, or shred it finely and soak it in the soup to elevate the curry's flavor to the next level.
The spice level can be adjusted, so even children and those who don't handle spicy food well can enjoy it deliciously.
- Address: B1 Okumura Building, 2-6-1 Minami 2-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Business Hours: 11:30~15:30 (LO 15:00), Dinner 17:00~21:00 (LO 20:30)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 011-233-5568
- Official Website: https://s-garaku.com/shop-garaku/
Zangi
Zangi is Hokkaido's beloved style of fried chicken. Unlike regular karaage, zangi is characterized by being thoroughly seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and other seasonings, and fried to achieve a crispy texture.
It's popular not only as a side dish with rice, but also as a drinking snack. Additionally, some restaurants offer zangi made with fish or octopus, so be sure to try these when you find them.
Sapporo Zangi Hompo Sapporo Station Store
Source:Tabelog
"Sapporo Zangi Hompo Sapporo Station Store" is, as the name suggests, a restaurant specializing in zangi that has earned high praise from local food connoisseurs.
Their zangi is thoroughly marinated in a special sauce before being fried, making it so juicy that the meat juices overflow. The crispy texture of the batter is also exquisite, and once you start eating, you'll definitely become addicted.
The menu includes not only the classic soy sauce variety, but also unique variations like pickled ginger and cheese zangi. If you're unsure what to order, try the assorted platter that allows you to compare different flavors.
While you can enjoy freshly fried zangi inside the restaurant, takeout is also available, so you can return to your hotel and enjoy them at your leisure.
- Address: G4 Building 1F, Minami 6-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 11:00-24:00
- Closed: None
- Phone: 011-596-6688
- Official Website: https://zangi.fuhdo.jp/
4 Excellent Ingredients I Recommend in Sapporo
Sapporo is blessed with abundant nature and is a treasure trove of diverse excellent ingredients, from seafood to mountain produce. Here, we'll introduce 4 representative ingredients you should definitely try when visiting Sapporo, along with recommended restaurants.
Please be sure to check out the ones that catch your interest.
Hokkaido Crab
When it comes to Hokkaido, crab is absolutely essential. Crab raised in cold seas has firm flesh and is characterized by moderate sweetness and rich umami flavor.
The most representative types are king crab, popular for its juicy and chewy flesh, and snow crab, known for its delicate sweetness. Additionally, hairy crab and hanasaki crab are often used in miso soup and hot pot dishes.
Hokkaido crab, with its abundant umami, can be enjoyed in various dishes, making it an ingredient you'll want to eat multiple times during your stay.
Hyousetsu No Mon
Source:Official website
If you want to fully enjoy crab cuisine in Sapporo, why not stop by "Hyousetsu No Mon"?
Hyousetsu No Mon is a long-established traditional restaurant where you can enjoy fresh king crab, snow crab, and hairy crab prepared in various ways.
After savoring the natural flavors through sashimi, boiled crab, and grilled crab, be sure to also try Japanese-style preparations like tempura and crab hotpot.
Another reason I recommend Hyousetsu No Mon is the restaurant's interior, which allows you to fully enjoy Japanese atmosphere.
During your sightseeing, it's rare to have the opportunity to see traditional Japanese interior elements like tatami and shoji up close.
Private dining rooms are also available, so you can spend relaxing time with family and friends.
- Address: Minami 5-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 11:00-23:00
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 011-521-3046
- Official Website: https://www.hyousetsu.co.jp/sp/course/
Sea Urchin
Hokkaido is world-famous as a region that produces high-quality sea urchin. Sea urchin raised in the cold waters features a melting texture and rich sweetness, and when you take a bite, the aroma of the sea spreads throughout your mouth.
In particular, sea urchin from Shakotan Peninsula and Rishiri Island is so highly regarded for its quality that it's sometimes called legendary.
Of course, you can enjoy it as sashimi in its natural state, but its rich flavor also pairs well with rice and noodles, so it's often used in seafood bowls and pasta dishes as well.
Hakodate Uni Murakami
Source:Official website
"Hakodate Uni Murakami" is a specialty store that brings out the deliciousness of sea urchin to the fullest. The restaurant is committed to using no additives, so you can fully enjoy the sea urchin's natural rich sweetness and aromatic ocean fragrance.
Particularly popular is the sea urchin bowl generously topped with plenty of sea urchin. The melting texture the moment it enters your mouth is a blissful experience you can't taste anywhere else.
The restaurant also offers various flavors including creamy sea urchin gratin served in shells and sea urchin tempura with an addictive combination of coating, so you'll never get tired of sea urchin.
Since the store is located in central Sapporo, please be sure to stop by for lunch or dinner.
- Address: Nippon Seimei Sapporo Building B1F, Kita 3-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 11:30-14:00 (L.O. 13:30), 17:30-21:30 (L.O. 20:45)
- Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
- Phone: 011-290-1000
- Official Website: https://www.uni-murakami.com/nissay/
Yubari Melon
Yubari Melon produced in Yubari City, Hokkaido, is a premium melon representing Japan. Its characteristics lie in its melting smooth texture and rich sweetness.
Only melons that meet strict quality standards can be shipped as Yubari Melon, and due to this brand power, they are also popular as gifts.
The peak season is from early summer to summer, and an attractive point is that you can enjoy different flavors depending on the level of ripeness.
If you visit Hokkaido, please experience this moving taste that differs from ordinary melons.
Sapporo Nijo Market
Source:Wikipedia
If you want to enjoy Yubari Melon in Sapporo, visit "Nijo Market" located in central Sapporo.
Nijo Market is a lively market beloved as "Sapporo's kitchen." You can find abundant Hokkaido flavors, from fresh seafood to freshly harvested vegetables and fruits.
At Nijo Market, seasonal Yubari Melons line up during summer, filling the air with sweet fragrance. We recommend purchasing cut pieces and enjoying them slowly after chilling them at your hotel.
Since you can tour a Japanese market while also searching for delicious souvenirs, foreign tourists staying in Sapporo should definitely stop by.
- Address: Minami 3-jo Higashi 1-chome to Higashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: Varies by store
- Closed: Varies by store
- Phone: 011-222-5302
- Official Website: http://nijyoichiba.com/
Soft Serve
Hokkaido's thriving dairy industry produces abundant amounts of fresh, high-quality milk. The soft serve made from this exceptional milk in Hokkaido offers an extraordinary taste that cannot be found anywhere else.
Characterized by the natural sweetness of milk, it delivers a rich yet refreshing taste that doesn't linger on the palate. At shops throughout the region, you can enjoy not only the classic vanilla flavor, but also unique flavors made with Hokkaido specialties such as Yubari Melon, lavender, and cheese.
Milk Mura
Source:Tabelog
"Milk Mura" is a soft serve specialty shop beloved by Sapporo locals and featured prominently in this Sapporo Food Guide 2025 for its exceptional quality and unique offerings.
Milk Mura's soft serve luxuriously uses fresh raw milk from Hokkaido, creating an incredibly rich texture and flavor. While you can find soft serve at various shops throughout Sapporo, what makes Milk Mura particularly special—and worthy of inclusion in any comprehensive Sapporo Food Guide 2025—is its distinctive serving style.
At Milk Mura, you can enjoy soft serve topped with various liqueurs. Pour your favorite scented liqueur such as framboise, cassis, or chocolate over the sweet soft serve, and it instantly transforms into a sophisticated adult treat. This innovative approach to soft serve makes it a perfect finale to your evening in Sapporo.
Store Information:
- Address: 6F, New Hokusei Building, 3-7-1 Minami 4-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 13:00 - 23:40 (Last Order: 23:00)
- Closed: Mondays
- Phone Number: 011-219-6455
Experience Authentic Sapporo with Local Guides
To fully enjoy your travels in Japan, there's nothing better than being guided by locals who know their area inside and out! This Sapporo Food Guide 2025 recommends going beyond typical tourist experiences to discover the authentic flavors and hidden gems of the city.
If you want to experience your own special Sapporo that's not found in conventional guidebooks, consider participating in a private tour guided by someone with deep local knowledge. These tours, highly recommended in our Sapporo Food Guide 2025, offer experiences that typical tourist routes simply cannot provide.
During private tours, you can taste local gourmet foods that residents actually eat in their daily lives, and visit hidden spots not found in standard guidebooks. Additionally, exploring the city with a knowledgeable guide eliminates language barriers while allowing you to gain deeper understanding of the area's history and traditions.
For creating truly unforgettable memories during your Sapporo visit, make sure to take advantage of these private tour opportunities featured in this Sapporo Food Guide 2025.
