One of my greatest joy, when traveling to Hokkaido are sampling the delicious cuisines!
Blessed with the surrounding ocean and bountiful nature, Hokkaido offers a paradise of ingredients from fresh vegetables, dairy farming to mouthwatering seafood. It is known for its ramen, king crabs, milky sweets, “Genghis Khan” mutton and fresh sushi!
Here’s a guide to Hokkaido’s must-try food, from home-cooked dishes to seasonal specialties that’ll make your mouth water…
Hokkaido Series:
-HOKKAIDO: 10 Experiences to Try in Hokkaido! @flyPAL
-Hokkaido Eats: 10 Dishes to Try in Hokkaido! @flyPAL
-SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL: Winter Wonderland in Hokkaido! (First Timer’s Guide)
–Noboribetsu Hot Spring Village: Warm Your Body and Soul in a Traditional Onsen!
-HAKODATE: 7 Awesome Places You Should Visit in Hakodate, Hokkaido!
–HAKODATE Food Trip: What and Where to Eat?!
-HAKODATE ASAICHI (MORNING MARKET): HOKKAIDO CRAB, TUNA, SQUID, AND SEAFOOD GALORE!
-LUCKY PIERROT: HAKODATE’S NO.1 BURGER CHAIN!
Hokkaido’s Unkai Terrace: Sea of Clouds & Staycation at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu!
HOKKAIDO AUTUMN: Awesome Itinerary!
HOW TO GET THERE
The fastest way is the new direct Manila-Sapporo flight by Philippine Airlines. Thankfully no more stop over at Narita, Tokyo.
The less than 6 hours flight will operate thrice a week every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, departing from the Manila’s NAIA 2 at 2:00 am and arrives at New Chitose Aiport at 6:30 am.
1. SUSHI & SEAFOOD
(Hakodate Morning Market)
If there’s one thing you can’t miss when visiting Hokkaido, it’s their seafood! Fatty salmon and tuna, sweet hairy and king crab, and amazing squid sashimi are among what tourists from Japan and overseas always rave about when in Hokkaido.
The cold sea surrounding Hokkaido is rich in plankton, which helps produce high-quality delectable seafood, while the cold temperatures also help with building layers of fat for the fish.
Otaru is the go-to place for sushi! You’ll find over 120 restaurants serving sushi made from the freshest seasonal ingredients from sea urchins, salmon, squid, prawns and scallops.
Japanese Buffet Dining 伝【DEN】is a buffet restaurants in Sapporo, offering unlimited crab, sushi, genghis Khan, soup curry, ramem noodles and classic Sapporo Beer! A must try for anyone who wants to devour the best of Hokkaido in one night!
2. SQUID
With a nickname like “Squid City,” it’s only natural that Hakodate’s specialty would be the squid. In fact, half of the squid caught in Hokkaido is from this area.
Notice the translucent squid sashimi meat glistening and taste the irresistible bouncy texture and flavor that goes very well with the ginger soy sauce.
Read more: HAKODATE ASAICHI (MORNING MARKET): HOKKAIDO CRAB, TUNA, SQUID, AND SEAFOOD GALORE!
3. BEER
The City of Beer- Of course, a trip to Hokkaido would not be complete without a glass of Classic Sapporo Beer which is only available in Hokkaido and nowhere else in Japan! The beer is quite sweet and tastes a bit like juice but with some hoppy bitterness.
The history of beer in Sapporo begins in 1876 with the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery (the predecessor of Sapporo Beer). Sapporo Beer’s star logo is derived from the “Red Star” symbol of Kaitakushi, that’s also used on the clock tower and red-brick government buildings.
4. HOKKAIDO MILK SOFT CREAM
(Niseko Milk Kobo-Takahashi Farm)
Hokkaido is the largest producer of milk in Japan, so it only fits to have soft-serve ice cream shops all over the city.
Hokkaido is well-known for its delicious and high-quality dairy products. It’s the cool climate and fresh air, with freshly grown plants and vegetables that make the cow grow healthily and naturally.
It is characterized by the creamy and strong milk taste.
Are you ready for Japan’s LARGEST Ice Cream in Sapporo?
The Dream Jumbo Parfait is one of the most iconic eats of the Yukijirushi Parlor that consists of a two-layer cake topped with fruits and jelly, and of course 45 scoops of ice cream!!! There were 9 of us, but still, we couldn’t finish the whole treat!
Make sure to pre-order the parfait as I heard it takes around two hours to prepare. (Y12,960- Good for 30)
5. WAGYU BEEF
After sushi and ramen, Japanese beef is on the list of must-eats for many visitors to Japan.
We had the Tokachi Wagyu, a beef born in the cold climate of Hokkaido and raised in Tokachi. Typically meat from any wagyu cow is characterized by the highly marbled nature which is high in healthy fats that irresistibly melts in your mouth.
Though the meat looks a bit fatty, rest assured it had the right balance of meat and fat!
CAIRN Annex serves teppanyaki-style top-quality marbled beef and seafood! Eat while you watch chefs expertly prepare your food right in front of you with their knife skills and fire show.
(Watch Video)
6. JINGISUKAN (Lamb Barbecue)
A popular local dish made with lamb or mutton grilled on an iron plate, along with vegetables.
In Sapporo, jingisukan is best enjoyed with beer!
7. RAMEN
Hokkaido is known for Ramen! Particularly miso ramen for Sapporo, soy-sauce flavored ramen in Asahikawa and salt-flavored ramen in Hakodate are popular.
Did you know Miso Ramen originated in Sapporo?
Among my favorite ramen joints are the Ramen Shingen (Sapporo) for their miso ramen, Ajisai (Hakodate) for their shio (salt) ramen, and Sapporo Ramen Republic packed with over 10 ramen joints near the Sapporo Station.
8. MELON
Besides the seafood, Hokkaido is also known for their sweet melons. Dubbed as one of the most expensive fruits in the world, we couldn’t miss the chance to try one. A slice is about 300 yen, and a few chunks in a plastic container is 800 yen. It doesn’t have a sugary taste but a mild fruity sweetness that’s very satisfying. The most delicious melon I’ve ever tasted.
9. SOUP CURRY
(Restaurant: Soup Curry Kokoro)
Unlike the usual Japanese curry, Hokkaido’s version is served as a light soup.
The standard soup curry consists of spicy soup served with a tender chicken leg and eaten with rice. The dish first orginated in Sapporo and is slowly spreading throughout Japan.
How to Eat Soup Curry
There is no right way, but in Sapporo they take a spoon of rice and dip it in the soup.
10. SALMON HOTPOT
(Restaurant: Wakasaimo Sweet Shop)
A popular local dish in Hokkaido, cooked by simmering the vegetable and salmon in a miso flavored soup.
Best enjoyed on a cold weather.
Hokkaido Series:
-HOKKAIDO: 10 Experiences to Try in Hokkaido! @flyPAL
-Hokkaido Eats: 10 Dishes to Try in Hokkaido! @flyPAL
-SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL: Winter Wonderland in Hokkaido! (First Timer’s Guide)
–Noboribetsu Hot Spring Village: Warm Your Body and Soul in a Traditional Onsen!
-HAKODATE: 7 Awesome Places You Should Visit in Hakodate, Hokkaido!
–HAKODATE Food Trip: What and Where to Eat?!
-HAKODATE ASAICHI (MORNING MARKET): HOKKAIDO CRAB, TUNA, SQUID, AND SEAFOOD GALORE!
-LUCKY PIERROT: HAKODATE’S NO.1 BURGER CHAIN!
Hokkaido’s Unkai Terrace: Sea of Clouds & Staycation at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu!
HOKKAIDO AUTUMN: Awesome Itinerary!
Live an Awesome Life,
ABI of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We were media guests of Philippine Airlines and Sapporo Tourism Board. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
The images are making my mouth water! I have tasted Salmon Hotpot and it was really out of the world. Thanks for article!
Thank you! Glad you loved it! 🙂
hi
Can i have the address to the Wakasaimo Sweet Shop aka the salmon hotpot. thank you