Sapporo Food: Genghis Khan

For whatever reason, mutton barbeque is a famous dish in Hokkaido, and goes by the name “genghis khan”. Apparently, while there are restaurants everywhere offering it, usually the locals won’t go. Instead, it’s more common to eat it at home, or maybe for a special occasion. In fact, when I went to see the sakura in Hakodate during Golden Week in 2024, everyone in the park was grillnig genghis khan specifically.

What is Genghis Khan?

You might say, “Hey, isn’t that the name of the guy who founded the Mongolian empire?” To that I’d say, “yes”, but in Japanese, it refers to mutton or lamb barbeque. That’s really what it is nowadays, but the origin of the name seems to stem from using a specfically-shaped grill to grill the meat. It looks like awar helmet, which is probably where the naming came from.

There’s a slight rise in the middle, with a moat-like crater surrounding the sides. The meat is grilled in the middle, with the veggies, which usually include an insane amount of bean sprouts, are spread throughout the moat. The meat juice drops into the moat, cooking and flavoring the veggies. At the end, noodles can be added in with sauce.

Where to Eat Genghis Khan in Sapporo

A lot of genghis khan places are evening only for some reason, but if you’re lucky, you can find one open for lunch, and even offering a special lunch deal price. Below are some places that I’ve been to or been recommended, but if you need a genghis khan place, just walk around Susukino at night. They’re everywhere, on every block. Just follow the barbeque smell.

The places listed are places that specialize in offering mutton, but Sapporo obviously also has yakiniku places. Local barbeque businesses will often offer mutton genghis khan in addition to the normal menu items. A lot of Hokkaido regional restaurants and izakayas will offer genghis khan a la carte items too.

Matsuo

Matsuo is a genghis khan chain that’s one of the few places I know that’s open for lunch! They offer all-you-can-eat, as well as a la carte items, and lunch sets. There seems to be two factions in genghis khan: marinated meat with no sauce, or non-marinated with dipping sauce. Matsuo offers the former, and the food is good, with tender, and slightly sweet meat.

Daruma

Daruma is a local Sapporo specialty genghis khan chain. For some reason, all of the locations are within a few blocks of each other, and always have a line no matter the time of evening you go. It’s rather famous, and I believe their dipping sauce is original. Daruma is on the opposing faction to Matsuo, with plain grilled meat, and a sweet and savory sauce.

Sapporo Beer Garden

While it certainly has beer as the main focus, Sapporo Beer Garden offers many dining halls where you can eat genghis khan. Although a main attraction is the beer museum, you can also drink Sapporo’s beer with a hearty meal of all-you-can-eat genghis khan! Don’t worry, there’s other meats on the menu as well.

Other

Here are some others, among others. I’ve included links to either Google Maps locations or their websites. These were the ones I have been interesed in going or taking friends, but in reality, there are way more in Sapporo than this measly list. There’s a ton in Susukino in particular!

Gallery

Matsuo Genghis Khan

Annie's Excursions