Sapporo ramen is one of Hokkaido’s representative local delicacies. Among its varieties, miso ramen stands out with its rich soup made from simmered pork bones and chicken bones, paired with yellow curly noodles. This hearty bowl offers warmth that dispels winter’s chill and robust umami flavors. Vegetables stir-fried in lard and toppings like butter and corn are distinctive characteristics unique to Sapporo ramen.
This article introduces the features and history of Sapporo ramen, areas where famous establishments are concentrated, and recommended renowned ramen shops. First-time visitors to Sapporo or those wondering what to eat locally should definitely use this as a reference.
1. What is Hokkaido Sapporo Ramen?
When Japanese people hear “Sapporo ramen,” they first think of rich miso-flavored soup and curly yellow thick noodles.Animal-based broth made by slowly simmering pork bones and chicken bones, combined with miso, garlic, ginger and other ingredients, creates a deeply flavorful soup that’s perfect for Hokkaido’s cold winters.
Additionally, ingredients like bean sprouts and cabbage stir-fried in lard, char siu pork, and green onions are added, providing substantial satisfaction. Topping with sweet corn and butter is a common arrangement in Sapporo ramen. The lard film that prevents the soup from losing heat, combined with the sweetness of corn and richness of butter, creates an unforgettable taste.
Beloved by Sapporo locals and popular with tourists, Sapporo ramen is an essential part of discussing Hokkaido cuisine.
2. History of Sapporo Ramen
The history of Sapporo ramen dates back to the Taisho era.In 1922, “Takeya Shokudo” began serving Chinese-style noodle dishes in Sapporo, which is considered the origin, and by the early Showa period, more than 10 similar ramen shops existed in the city. However, due to wartime disruption, all these shops closed, and ramen culture temporarily disappeared from Sapporo.
After the war, ramen stalls revived in Susukino, Sapporo’s central district. “Ryuho” (closed in 2008) and “Daruma-ken” were representative establishments, with “Daruma-ken” still operating today as a well-known long-established shop. The soup at that time was mainly soy sauce-based. Combined with curly noodles made by the predecessor of Nishiyama Seimen, this simple yet robust flavor gained popularity.
The turning point came in 1954 when “Aji no Sanpei” created miso ramen. This ramen, conceived with miso soup that has long been familiar to Japanese people as inspiration, beautifully harmonized stir-fried vegetables with rich soup and yellow curly noodles, rapidly gaining popularity as Sapporo’s new specialty. Furthermore, with the emergence of “Dosanko Chain” and “Sapporo Ichiban,” Sapporo miso ramen became known nationwide.
3. Places to Eat Sapporo Ramen
If you want to taste Sapporo’s miso ramen at its birthplace, the first place you should visit is “Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho.” Located in a corner of Susukino, which is also known as a tourist destination, this alley features ramen shops packed tightly along a narrow street approximately 42 meters long. From morning until late night, it bustles with locals and tourists seeking ramen, making it an area that could be called a symbol of Sapporo cuisine.
Furthermore, “Tanukikoji Shopping Street,” within walking distance, is also famous as a ramen battleground. Unique ramen shops line the arcade, allowing comfortable ramen tours even on rainy or snowy days. The variety is abundant, from soups that utilize local ingredients to creative ramen and traditional bowls. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy comparing different ramens while exploring Sapporo.
And at the end of your journey, visit “Hokkaido Ramen Dojo” inside New Chitose Airport. This is a spot where local ramens from all over Hokkaido gather in one place, allowing you to enjoy ramen travel until the very end. Authentic flavors that don’t seem like airport food are assembled here, including “Ebisoba Ichigen” with its rich shrimp flavor, “Menya Kaiko” with red miso and white miso bases plus pork bowl sets, and “Keyaki” which follows the royal road of Sapporo miso. Please enjoy one more bowl of Hokkaido ramen before boarding your flight.
4. Top 5 Recommended Sapporo Ramen Restaurants
Many people want to eat ramen in Sapporo but may be confused about which shop to enter. For such people, we have carefully selected reliable famous establishments that excel in all three aspects: taste, popularity, and accessibility.
From here, we’ll introduce 5 restaurants in Sapporo city that are recommended even for Sapporo ramen beginners.
4-1. Ebisoba Ichigen Main Shop
引用：えびそば一幻
At Sapporo’s popular ramen shop “Ebisoba Ichigen Main Shop,” the rich soup that fully brings out the umami of shrimp is their pride. The signature menu item “Ebi Miso” harmonizes Hokkaido-style miso richness and aroma with shrimp broth, becoming addictive from the first sip. “Ebi Shoyu” features the fragrant soy sauce that further enhances the shrimp flavor, creating a bowl with profound depth.
“Ebi Shio” charms with its refreshing taste reminiscent of the ocean, staying clean even in the aftertaste.All flavors use special noodles that have excellent compatibility with the soup, properly absorbing the soup’s umami. This is a representative famous establishment of Sapporo, beloved by both tourists and locals alike.
4-2. Sumire Sapporo Susukino Shop
“Sumire,” which was born in Nakanoshima, Sapporo in 1964, is a long-established ramen shop that has supported the history of Sapporo ramen for over half a century. The current “Sumire,” launched in 1989 by the third son Nobuyoshi, who inherited the flavors of founder Muranaka Akiko, captivates many fans with bowls that fuse his mother’s taste with his experience as a Japanese cuisine chef.
At the Susukino shop, they provide ramen that continues to evolve while preserving traditional methods. The signature miso ramen spreads with mellow richness and fragrant aroma. Side menu items “Sumire Rice” and “Sumire Beer” are also recommended. Please thoroughly enjoy the traditional flavors along with the ramen.
4-3. Ramen Shingen Minami 6-jo Shop
引用：北海道サブスクリプション
When it comes to Sapporo miso ramen, “Ramen Shingen Minami 6-jo Shop” is the first name that comes up. Despite being located in Susukino’s ramen battleground, it’s a popular shop where lines form even before opening. The menu has a simple structure with 4 types – miso, spicy miso, salt, and soy sauce – each available in “rich” or “light” versions. Whichever you choose, the deliciousness is guaranteed, but the popular menu item is definitely “Shinshu (Rich Miso).” The white miso-based mellow and creamy miso soup pairs exquisitely with medium-thick noodles.
Furthermore, the fragrant fried rice that’s stir-fried after ordering has many fans, and the set with ramen provides outstanding satisfaction. If you’re seeking traditional Sapporo ramen, please definitely savor Shingen’s flavors at least once.
4-4. Menya Saimi
引用：麺屋 彩未
Known as a famous Sapporo miso ramen establishment, “Menya Saimi.” The signature menu item of this shop, where many ramen connoisseurs visit, is the “Miso Ramen” that fuses special miso tare blended from 3 types of white miso with pork bone clear soup. The bowl that spreads mellow richness and deep umami transforms to a refreshing aftertaste by adding grated fresh ginger. This is the secret behind the continuous stream of repeat customers.
The “Spicy Miso Ramen,” which adds spicy miso tare to the miso base, is a bowl where the stimulation of gochujang and doubanjiang becomes addictive. Beyond miso, they offer an attractive diverse lineup including “Shoyu Ramen” where organic whole soybean soy sauce and stir-fried vegetables’ flavors intertwine exquisitely, and “Shio Ramen” that brings out the original taste of the soup.
4-5. Menya Yukikaze
引用：麺屋 雪風
Attracting attention as the new standard of Sapporo miso ramen, “Menya Yukikaze.” The signature menu item is the “Rich Miso Ramen,” which exquisitely blends white miso and red miso in a secret miso tare and finishes with a double soup of pork bone, chicken paitan, dried sardines, and tuna flakes. The bowl that spreads the fragrant aroma of flavored oil beautifully fuses the deep miso umami with the robust strength of Hokkaido-produced ingredients. Furthermore, “Spicy Miso Ramen” with several types of spices added, and “Ginger Miso Ramen” accented with ginger and stir-fried bean sprouts are also popular.
Beyond miso, they offer a diverse lineup including “Chicken Bone Shio Ramen” packed with umami and “Yukikaze BLACK Shoyu Ramen” using rich tamari soy sauce, allowing you to discover new flavors with each visit.
Conclusion
Sapporo ramen is a representative local ramen of Hokkaido, characterized by rich miso-based soup and yellow curly noodles. The broth, made by simmering pork bones and chicken bones for long hours, is enhanced with the richness of lard and the fragrant aroma of stir-fried vegetables, creating a bowl that warms you from the core.
Toppings like butter and corn are also unique charms of Sapporo. Each shop has its own personality, and enjoying the differences in taste and toppings is part of the real pleasure of Sapporo ramen. For those who want to taste local specialties rooted in the community as a memory of their Sapporo sightseeing, please definitely savor Sapporo ramen.
*This article was created based on information as of July 2025.
