Seasonal Dish & Ishikari Nabe Oga: 50-Year-Old Hidden Gem for Live Hokkaido Seafood & Private Kaiseki Dining
Sapporo is the central city of Hokkaido. It is a city where abundant nature and refined urban culture coexist, and it is known as one of Japan's leading gourmet cities.
Fresh ingredients unique to Hokkaido, such as seafood, mountain delicacies, and dairy products, are available here, and it boasts top-class popularity in Japanese tourism.
If you want to enjoy authentic seasonal flavors and Hokkaido's taste in such Sapporo, "Oga" is recommended.
This article introduces the charms and popular menu items of "Oga," the writer's favorite restaurant, as well as the culinary attractions you should experience in Sapporo.
Sapporo is a treasure trove of ingredients with top-class exquisite gourmet food in Japan
Fresh seafood and agricultural products from all over Hokkaido gather in Sapporo.
Since Hokkaido is surrounded by the sea, fresh seafood such as Crab, Sea urchin, and Scallop are abundant.
Additionally, vegetables grown on vast land and rich dairy products such as cream and cheese are also famous.
In Sapporo, you can enjoy many local gourmet dishes such as Kaisendon (Seafood rice bowl), Soup curry, and Miso ramen, which make generous use of these ingredients.
Among them, the place where you can enjoy the true taste of Hokkaido that values seasonal ingredients is "Oga."
If you want to enjoy authentic seasonal cuisine in Sapporo, Oga is recommended!
Located a 3-minute walk from Susukino Station, "Oga" is an authentic Japanese restaurant representing Sapporo.
You can enjoy Local cuisine carefully prepared with the artisan's skills, making generous use of fresh seafood caught in the waters near Hokkaido and vegetables that are in season throughout the year.
The delicate seasoning that brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients is highly evaluated not only by locals but also by tourists.
In the charming, completely private rooms with a calm atmosphere, you can fully enjoy the harmony of seasonal cuisine and Sake.
It is recommended for those who want to feel Hokkaido's warmth along with delicious food.
Oga's overview and access
- Address: Sansuri Building 8F・9F, 3-1 Minami 3-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business hours: 17:00～23:00 (L.O 22:00)
- Regular holidays: Open year-round
- Phone number: 011-242-3328
- Official website: https://oga-sapporo.com/#course
3 reasons why Oga has been loved by locals and tourists for over 50 years
Abundant menu where you can feel Japan's beautiful four seasons
Source:Tabelog
The charm of "Oga" lies in its abundant menu structure that carefully utilizes the seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
In spring, you can enjoy Cherry sea bream, and in summer, Live squid and Scallop, among other fresh seafood caught in the waters near Hokkaido.
In autumn, Seasonal mushrooms and Autumn salmon grace the table, and in winter, rich Hair crab and Ishikari nabe (salmon and vegetable miso hot pot) that warms you from the core appear. At Oga (Ishikari Nabe), this winter specialty showcases the restaurant's commitment to seasonal excellence.
Every dish shines with the artisan's skill that maximizes the umami of the ingredients, and the beauty of the seasons can be felt in the appearance as well.
You can taste the essence of Japanese cuisine that values seasonal flavors in Sapporo.
What is "Shun," the concept of Japanese ingredients?
Shun refers to the time of year when ingredients are most delicious and have the highest nutritional value.
In Japan, since ancient times, it has been important to feel the changing seasons through food. Tasting seasonal ingredients is said to be wisdom for living in harmony with nature.
Chefs select ingredients that become most delicious during that period and express the beauty of the four seasons through aroma, color, and taste.
This "spirit of valuing the seasons" is one of the concepts that symbolizes Japanese food culture.
A number of exquisite dishes using Hokkaido's seafood
Source:Tabelog
Hokkaido's seas are surrounded by three seas—the Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, and Pacific Ocean—and abundant seafood is landed.
Various types of fresh seafood from all over Hokkaido arrive at "Oga." These ingredients are cooked according to the material, such as sashimi (sliced raw fish), grilled dishes, simmered dishes, and hot pot dishes.
The dishes finished with the artisan's reliable skills are all masterpieces that fully utilize the bounty of Hokkaido's seas.
Dishes using live squid and live hair crab are outstandingly fresh!
Source:Tabelog
The true essence of "Oga" is "Ikimono Ryori (Freshly prepared live seafood)" prepared by taking them out from the aquarium inside the restaurant.
Particularly popular is Live squid.
The flesh immediately after preparation is beautifully transparent, and its texture and elegant sweetness that spreads as you chew are completely different from frozen ones.
Also, Hair crab is boiled alive after receiving an order. This results in flesh that is surprisingly plump, and the Kani miso (crab tomalley) has a rich umami flavor.
This is the real luxury that can only be tasted in Hokkaido.
Enjoy supreme time just for yourself in completely private rooms
Source:Tabelog
At "Oga," all 22 rooms are completely private. Therefore, you can enjoy meals and conversation in your own private space without worrying about others' eyes.
Furthermore, while many Japanese-style rooms require sitting directly on the floor, the seating at "Oga" is in the "Horigotatsu" style.
Horigotatsu is a unique Japanese mechanism where the floor is dug out and you can lower your feet straight down under the table.
You can relax with the same feeling as a chair, so your feet won't go numb or get tired.
While enjoying the Japanese atmosphere, you can slowly savor Hokkaido's seasonal flavors.
Popular Menu Items You Should Try at Least Once at Oga & The Author's Recommendations
Kinki Shabu-Shabu
Source:Tabelog
Among the numerous dishes at Oga, what moved me most was the "Kinki shabu-shabu" made with Line-caught Kinki (Broadbanded thornyhead) from Abashiri.
Kinki is a premium Deep-sea fish caught in Hokkaido. Its greatest characteristic lies in its melt-in-your-mouth quality fat and deep umami flavor.
"Shabu-shabu" is a way of eating where these thinly sliced Kinki pieces are briefly dipped in hot Dashi (Japanese soup stock) for just a few seconds.
When dipped in the Dashi, the flesh becomes surprisingly fluffy and tender, and the rich, fatty umami spreads throughout your mouth.
Ishikari Nabe
Source:Official website
During the cold season in Sapporo, what made me truly feel "this is the bounty of Hokkaido" from the bottom of my heart was the Ishikari nabe (salmon and vegetable miso hot pot).
"Ishikari nabe" is a Local cuisine of Hokkaido where salmon and vegetables are simmered in Miso.
The secret behind Oga (Ishikari Nabe) is the use of a blend of 5 different types of Miso.
In this special Miso soup, the umami of fresh salmon and the sweetness of vegetables are fully dissolved.
Then, when butter is added as a finishing touch, the aroma rises all at once, and the soup develops a mellow and rich depth.
This bowl that warms you thoroughly from the core of your body is one of the menu items you should definitely try when visiting Oga in winter.
Hair Crab Dishes
Source:Tabelog
One of the specialty dishes is the various Hair crab preparations made with crab caught in the waters near Hokkaido.
At Oga, they take Hair crabs from the in-store tank after receiving orders and prepare them.
Among these, the Sashimi that can only be enjoyed because the Crab was alive until just moments before is exquisite. The delicate sweetness and firm, bouncy texture can never be experienced with frozen crab.
At the end of the course, Kani-meshi (crab rice cooked with dashi) and Teppo-jiru (crab miso soup) are served.
The dishes are generously mixed with shelled Hair crab meat, allowing you to savor the umami of Crab until the very end.
Being able to enjoy different flavors depending on the cooking method is the profound depth of Hair crab.
Must Try! Unique Menu Items That Are Secretly Popular at Oga
Suppon Nabe
Source:Tabelog
Unusually for a Hokkaido seafood restaurant, Oga also offers Suppon nabe (softshell turtle hot pot).
Being able to enjoy freshwater Suppon (softshell turtle) at a restaurant centered on seafood is truly unique.
Suppon, which is said to be good for stamina and vitality, has its umami concentrated when slowly simmered, and plenty of collagen dissolves into the soup.
With just one sip, warmth spreads gently from inside your body, and the mellow, elegant flavor fills your mouth.
It's a perfect dish when you want to heal from travel fatigue or when you want to enjoy something a bit special in Hokkaido.
Kiritanpo Nabe
Source:Tabelog
When Oga first opened, it started as a restaurant serving Local cuisine of Akita Prefecture. The traditional "Kiritanpo nabe (rice stick hot pot)" still carefully carries on that origin today.
"Kiritanpo" is freshly cooked rice that has been pounded, wrapped around a stick, and grilled until fragrant.
When Kiritanpo is simmered in Hinai-jidori chicken broth and combined with ingredients such as seri (Japanese parsley), maitake mushrooms, and green onions, it develops a fragrant and deep flavor.
Even after more than 50 years since its founding, this is a uniquely Oga flavor that continues to be loved without change.
Sapporo's Exquisite Food Should Be Enjoyed at Shops Loved by Locals!
If you want to truly enjoy Sapporo's nightlife, the "Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour," which takes you around izakayas and bars beloved by locals, is highly recommended.
Together with a guide, you'll visit hidden izakayas in back alleys and savor dishes made with Hokkaido seafood and vegetables along with sake. You can also experience traditional Hokkaido cuisine such as Ishikari Nabe, a hearty salmon and vegetable hot pot cooked in an oga (traditional pot), which represents the authentic flavors of the region.
From the menu that changes based on the day's procurement, you can fully enjoy Hokkaido's culinary delights.
When you raise a toast shoulder-to-shoulder with local customers, you'll also feel Sapporo's nighttime atmosphere that can't be experienced through regular tourism.
The tour concludes with Sapporo's famous Shime parfait (late-night parfait) or Ramen.
This is the perfect tour for foodies who want to experience the real Sapporo nightlife and food culture that can't be tasted through tourism alone.
- Meeting point: Under the giant NIKKA Sign outside of Susukino station
- Tour area: Izakayas and bars around Susukino
- Start time: 18:00 / 19:00
Three Recommended Shops for Foodies Who Want to Savor Authentic Sapporo Food & Drink
Sushi Miyakawa
Source:Tabelog
"Sushi Miyakawa," a renowned sushi restaurant representing Sapporo, is a Three-star Michelin restaurant.
In the small space with only 8 counter seats, you can taste seafood carefully selected from across the country in its finest condition.
The menu is omakase only, and among the dishes, the Sea urchin nigiri is a specially crafted item. They change the type and production area according to the season, carefully selecting and serving the most delicious ones.
While Hokkaido's sushi often features a bold style that takes advantage of freshness, at "Sushi Miyakawa," you can taste sushi that maximizes the appeal of ingredients through delicate technique and careful workmanship.
- Address: 1F Lichtlaerle Maruyama, 2-2 Nishi 25-chome, Kita 4-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business hours: First seating 17:00-19:15, Second seating 19:30(Complete reservation system)
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone number: 011-613-2221
- Official website: https://www.sushi-miyakawa.com/
Genghis Khan Ishida
Source:Tabelog
"Genghis Khan Ishida" is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy Genghis Khan, Hokkaido's specialty dish, with high-quality lamb.
Genghis Khan is Hokkaido's classic dish where lamb and vegetables are grilled on an iron pot.
While there are many shops in Hokkaido where you can eat Genghis Khan, this is the only place outside of directly operated stores that handles Shibetsu Suffolk lamb (premium lamb).
The exceptionally fresh lamb has no gamey smell and is very tender, with an elegant taste where you can feel sweetness even with just salt.
If you want to experience the deliciousness of authentic lamb in Hokkaido, please be sure to visit.
- Address: 2F Maruni Hashiba Building, 8-2-9 Nishi, Kita 1-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business hours: 11:00-23:00
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone number: 050-5457-2484
- Official website: https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/sumiyakijingisukanishida/reserve
THE NIKKA BAR
Source:Official website
"THE NIKKA BAR" is a special bar where you can feel the origin of Japanese whisky, which is gaining worldwide popularity.
Among all the Nikka Bars across the country, this is the only prestigious shop permitted to bear the "The" title, where you can compare rare whiskies such as Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and Taketsuru.
The bar is also well-stocked with snacks that go well with whisky, including the specialty Nikka's signature pork cutlet sandwich, smoked items, and dried fruits.
This is a bar I highly recommend for those who want to experience the essence of Japanese whisky.
- Address: 2F Dai-3 Green Building, 1-2 Nishi 3-chome, Minami 4-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business hours: 18:00-1:00 (next day)
- Closed: Open year-round
- Phone number: 011-518-3344
- Official website: https://nikkabar.jp/
To Deeply Enjoy Tourist Destinations Throughout Japan, Getting Guided by a Local Guide is Recommended
If you want to enjoy tourist destinations throughout Japan more deeply, tours led by local guides are recommended.
MagicalTrip's tours have English-speaking local guides who will take you not only to tourist attractions but also to gourmet spots and cultural experiences known only to locals.
Their high quality is recognized worldwide, having won first place in the Japan travel experience category at Tripadvisor's "Travellers' Choice Best of the Best 2024 & 2025."
Please participate in these experiential tours that are perfect for those who want to safely experience the real Japan.
