Hokkaido is huge, and with it, comes regional styles of ramen like the rest of Japan. Asahikawa is known for shoyu ramen, Hakodate for shio ramen, and finally, Sapporo is the miso ramen capital of our big island. Around here, it’s the go-to ramen style.
What is Miso Ramen?
The traditional miso ramen uses a miso broth base for the soup, and has crinkly, bouncy yellow noodles. You an usually find at least once piece of chashu. I think the original version includes stir fried veggies and ground pork, but nowadays, every shop has their own unique take. Along with miso, many broths now use other bases ranging from pork to seafood. A common topping is a giant slab of butter or corn or seafood, because of Hokkaido’s dairy, corn, and seafood industry.
Where to Eat Miso Ramen in Sapporo
Ramen is literally everywhere in Sapporo. If I listed every single ramen shop, this post would be way too long. Just walk around for a bit in Sapporo, and you’ll find a shop. The walk will probably be much shorter in Susukino. Shoutout to the Esta 10th floor Ramen Kingdom that closed Fall 2023. Rip.
Shirakaba Sansou
An honorary mention to my first miso ramen in Sapporo, Shirakaba Sansou. The portions are huge, soup was yummy, and chewy noodles. There’s many locations, including at the airport!
Aji no Sanpei
The original place that created miso ramen. Their miso ramen is much more traditional, and probably looks different than what you’d think of as modern Sapporo miso ramen. A taste of history!
Ichigen
A bit of an outlier in this list, but Ichigen’s specialty is a shrimp stock ramen. You can customize with added tonkotsu stock to make it richer, have a base of shio, shoyu, or miso, and choose between thick or thin noodles. They also offer a shrimp rice ball for you to add to your soup after you finish your noodles for a risotto-esque experience. I actually haven’t been to the main store in Sapporo (walked by it!), but the one at New Chitose Airport is the one ramen place always with a line.
Ichiryuan
Ichiryuan is a famous miso ramen spot. It’s pretty unique, with a thick miso broth, and egg and chive toppings. Super yummy, and lives up to the hype. They usually get a long line around peak meal hours, but you can also reserve a seat on Tabelog if you have set plans. They’re also vegetarian and vegan friendly!
Mingle (Cocono’s Ramen Hall)
Cocono recently opened up a space called Mingle, which functions as their own ramen alley. There’s a collection of 5 ramen restaurants, with a couple specializing in local miso ramen.
Ganso Ramen Alley
Not a restaurant, but a famous historical tourist spot. Ganso Ramen Alley, like its name, is a small alleyway with a collection of tiny ramen restaurants. There has to be something good there right? Sometimes I’m there around noon, and the shops aren’t open though.
Sapporo New Ramen Street
There’s a new ramen alley in Susukino? This ramen “alley” or “street” is located in the first floor of one of the buildings in Susukino. Fujiya Ramen in particular seems to have been on the Michelin guide at some point.
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 bookmarked, but in reality, there are way more in Sapporo than this measly list. You’ll find streets lined with ramen shops in Susukino, and some are open until 1 or 2am!
- Tenhou
- Kura
- Yukikaze
- Shingen (usually a long line)
- Sumire (usually a long line)
- Ichigoichie Sapporo Misono
- Sapporo Ramen Kifuh
- Keyaki
- 北海道らーめん奥原流 久楽
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