Hokkaido, the Northernmost prefecture has several local ramen flavours which you should try. Sapporo Miso Ramen is made by wok frying the ingredients, miso and broth first before topping with corn & a knob of butter for extra richness. While Hakodate is famous for its Shio Ramen with a lighter, clearer salt based soup. In Asahikawa, the local Shoyu Ramen is made with a soya sauce broth and thiner noodles.
Hokkaido's Best Ramen
Some of the best places to try Hokkaido's local specialty ramen!
Updated: Oct 22 2024
Ramen is the quintessential Japanese soul food. In Hokkaido where Winter temperatures fall below freezing, a hot soupy bowl of ramen is even more revered. Make sure to try the flavours from the North Island - Sapporo miso ramen, Asahikawa shoyu ramen & Hakodate's shio ramen.
Hokkaido Ramen Dojo
One of the best places for ramen is actually at the New Chitose Airport. The Ramen Dojo is a ramen street housing 10 ramen stores from around Hokkaido. Walk the street, peruse the choices. You will find all the local flavours represented here. Stores are tourist friendly with English menus and lots of seating. A bowl of ramen at the Dojo is an end of snow trip ritual that will have you planning your return.
Ramen Dojo's Top Ramen
Ebisoba Echigen's ramen made with a unique shrimp based broth and is utterly delicious.
Sapporo Ramen Alleys (Sapporo Ramen Yokocho)
The Sapporo Ramen Alley (Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho) has cemented it's spot in ramen lore because it's where Sapporo miso ramen was bought into steaming hot, delicious existence.
The original started in the 1950s with 7 ramen vendors and now houses around 17 stalls. The success of this alley, prompted another group of ramen vendors to set up their own ramen alley a few blocks away called Shin Ramen Yokocho New Ramen Alley). Snow tripping ramen aficionados now have more choice than ever in downtown Sapporo.
Stores have picture menus outside advertising their signature ramen dishes. Alternatively, employ the wisdom of crowds and join the longest line. Just be prepared for the cold as the original alley is outdoors and not heated. Ramen stalls in the alley are quite small with limited counter seating and are more suited to a quick meal.
The Ramen Alley's Top Ramen
Teshikaga Ramen is widely regarded as the best bowl in the Ramen Alley.
Aji no Karyu is the shop made famous by Anthony Bourdain on the No Reservations food tour.
Asahikawa Ramen Village
A short walk from the JR Asahikawa station gets you to the Ramen village, an outpost of ramen shops from 8 of Asahikawa's famous ramen houses. The village has a ramen souvenir shop and even a ramen shrine. You won't go wrong with the local specialty Shoyu ramen which uses a soya sauce based broth simmered with meat and seafood.
Asahikawa's Top Ramen
One of the Asahikawa's most famous ramen names - Asahikawarame Aoba.
An Asahikawa institution - Ramen Tenkin
Niseko's Top Ramen
Japan's no 1 ski destination may have a reputation for crazy tourist prices, but you can still get a bowl of ramen for a decent price.
Tozanken ramen in Hirafu is one of the go to spots fo ramen in Niseko and always has a line of hungry people outside.
Ramen Daishin in Kutchan is a favourite amongst locals and tourists. Apart from the classic miso ramen, you should try the cheese Dan Dan.
Otaru's Top Ramen
Better known for it's fresh seafood, the port town of Otaru also has a few bowls you should try.
Ramen Tokaiya is a small shop which gets super packed. Customers are here for the signature ramen with grilled pork bites.
Furano's Top Ramen
Furano also has ramen restauratns which have kept skiers and snowboarders returning for more.
Sinatora is a very popular ramen joint which is famous for their unique black garlic ramen.
Hakodate's Top Ramen
Ramen Shinano is one of the best places to try Hakodate style shio ramen and they have a stall just outside the station.
Hakodate ramen uses a shio salt style clear broth.
Posts
skijayDecember 18 23
Nothing like a spicy ramen on a great pow day! This was not as fiery as it looked… but still delicious
Hotel Moc
vinceFebruary 15 24
This was the best Sapporo miso ramen I had on the trip. Nothing over the top, just amazing balanced flavours. Loved the log cabin look. Great service with English menus. Even though Daishin is outside the main Niseko area, in Kutchan, the tables filled up fast with locals and tourists, some who were happily slurping away in their snow gear.
Daishin Niseko
vinceFebruary 2 24
Located in Tanuki Koji, Sapporo's shopping street. Ramen Zero serves miso and shoyu ramen with a signature massive piece of grilled spare rib which is so big it wont fit in your bowl. Its so good! The juicy fatty slab of meat just melts in your mouth with every bite. The soup tasted quite nice and had a layer of hot hot oil on the surface, so be careful when attacking the noodles.
Sapporo Noodle Zero
skijayJanuary 24 24
Enjoyed this famous Asahikawa ramen which is served with curly noodles and has the right balance between pork soup and shoyu. Service is quick and efficient. You can also order miso ramen if you wish, or ramen with extra vegetables.
Ramen Tenkin
vinceFebruary 6 24
When you are in Hakodate, you just have to try Shio ramen the city is known for. Shinano is a small brightly lit shop conveniently located just across the station which specialises in the the salt based stock made with chicken and pork bones. Went for the recommended bowl and a serve of gyoza with Sapporo classic. The soup was flavourful and because it was so clear you could see a fair amount of oil on top. Make sure you let it cool because it retains a lot of heat.
Hakodate Shio Ramen Shinano
CLOSED - Sapporo Ramen Republic (Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku)
Unfortunately, the Ramen Republic is now closed. But there are lots more shops to try.
Located in the ESTA mall next to JR Sapporo station, Sapporo Ramen Republic (Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku) is collection of Hokkaido's famous ramen restaurants brought together in one place. This ramen theme park is modelled on the Japan of yesteryear with faux streets and retro looking shop fronts, memorabilia and even a train station.
Each shop specialises in their own unique styles of ramen so you can experience ramen from the different regions of Hokkaido - Sapporo, Asahikawa, Hakodate, and Otaru, without needing to travel. Great option for families, as there are sit down tables, english menus and you wont even need to step outside into the cold. Visit the souvenir shop where you can buy instant ramen packets andramen related gifts.
food & drinks
Related Stories