What comes to mind when you think of Sapporo? The Snow Festival? Genghiskan lamb barbecue? While those are all wonderful, for me, Sapporo is definitely all about “Ramen”!
Hokkaido winters are harsh, and what blows away that cold is a steaming hot bowl of ramen. Especially Sapporo’s proud miso ramen, which has a rich flavor and the power to warm you from the core. As a local, I’m such a devoted fan that I make sure to eat it at least twice a week!
Today, I’ll introduce you to 5 carefully selected shops that I visit repeatedly and that never fail to impress friends I bring along—these are “absolutely can’t-miss” places! Whether you’re visiting as a tourist or living in Sapporo, please use this as a reference!
Shop information is current as of May 2025. Some shops may close early during busy periods or if they run out of soup, so please check their official social media or call for the latest information before visiting.
Recommended Ramen Shops: Top 5
1. Menya Saimi
Basic Information
- Address: Sapporo-shi, Toyohira-ku, Misono 10-jo 5-3-12
- Access: 3-minute walk from Misono Station (Subway Toho Line), Exit 1
- Business Hours:
- Tue-Thu: 11:00-15:15
- Fri & Sun: 11:00-15:15, 17:00-19:30
- Sat: 10:00-15:15, 17:00-19:30
- Closed: Mondays + irregular holidays
Recommended Menu
- Miso Ramen (¥900)
- Special Miso Ramen (¥1,200)
Shop Features
Menya Saimi is known as a branch from “Sumire,” a pillar of the Sapporo ramen world. Its signature characteristic is the rich miso soup with a sharp ginger flavor! The soup is made by stir-frying vegetables with a special miso sauce on a base of pork and chicken bones. The medium-thick, curly noodles blend perfectly with the soup. Standard toppings include char siu pork, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, corn, and green onions, with a soft-boiled egg added to the special version.
Personal Impression
I’ll never forget the shock of tasting Saimi’s ramen for the first time! When you take that first sip of soup, the ginger aroma hits your nose, followed by the deep umami of miso spreading through your mouth. On cold days, the feeling of warmth radiating from your core is incredible.
The shop gets crowded on weekends, so I recommend going early on weekdays. The interior is mainly counter seating with a homey atmosphere. The owner is friendly and can often be seen chatting happily with regular customers. It’s a wonderful shop where you can feel the passion for ramen!
2. Ramen Shingen South 6 Branch
Basic Information
- Address: Sapporo-shi, Chuo-ku, Minami 6-jo Nishi 8, Grand Form 1F
- Access: 2-minute walk from “Higashi Honganji-mae” streetcar stop
- Business Hours: 11:00 (or 11:30) – 1:00 AM next day
- Closed: Never
Recommended Menu
- Shinshu (Rich Miso) Ramen (¥950)
- Fried Rice Set (+¥500)
Shop Features
Located in Susukino’s entertainment district, Shingen is beloved by locals as a perfect late-night ramen spot after drinking, thanks to its late-night hours. While the menu offers a variety including miso, salt, and soy sauce, the “Shinshu (Rich Miso)” is exceptional! Considering Hokkaido’s cold climate, they use more oil than usual, which helps keep the ramen from cooling down quickly. The medium-thick straight noodles provide a satisfying texture.
Personal Impression
Shingen’s charm is definitely its good accessibility with late-night hours and consistently delicious taste! :night_with_stars: I always stop by after drinking with friends, and I’m amazed that it’s always full even late at night.
I especially recommend the miso ramen and fried rice set. This fried rice is so authentic you wouldn’t believe it’s just a side menu at a ramen shop—the fluffy texture and aromatic flavor are irresistible!
To be honest, sometimes I come just for the fried rice (laughs). I also love the energetic calls from the staff that create such a lively atmosphere!
3. Sumire Sapporo Susukino Branch
Basic Information
- Address: Sapporo-shi, Chuo-ku, Minami 3-jo Nishi 3-9-2, Pixis Building 2F
- Access: 1-minute walk from Susukino Station (Subway)
- Business Hours: 17:30-0:30 (Last order 0:00)
- Closed: Never
Recommended Menu
- Miso Ramen (¥950)
- Special Miso Ramen (¥1,200)
Shop Features
Sumire is considered the originator of Sapporo miso ramen and has been the master to many ramen shops. Its defining characteristics are the rich soup based on pork and chicken bones, and the fragrant lard. The lard floating on the surface keeps the heat in, allowing you to enjoy every last drop piping hot. The medium-thick curly noodles use Hokkaido wheat and are known for their firmness. Basic toppings include char siu pork, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, corn, and green onions, with a soft-boiled egg and butter added to the special version.
Personal Impression
You can’t miss Sumire on a Sapporo ramen tour! I was taken to this shop on my first day after moving to Sapporo, and the impact was so unforgettable that I still visit monthly.
The richness of the soup is unparalleled—one sip and you’ll be moved by the thought, “This is Sapporo ramen!” It’s especially delicious on cold days, when the flavor seems to double! However, first-timers might be surprised by how rich it is. My recommendation is to add butter to the special miso ramen. The aroma as the butter melts is irresistible! They also have English menus since they get many tourists, so it’s safe to bring foreign friends.
4. Ebisoba Ichigen Main Store
Basic Information
- Address: Sapporo-shi, Chuo-ku, Minami 7-jo Nishi 9-1024-10
- Access: 15-minute walk from Nakajima Koen Station (Subway)
- Business Hours: 11:00-3:00 AM next day
- Closed: Irregular
Recommended Menu
- Ebisoba “Ajiwai” (Taste) (¥880)
- Ebisoba “Sonomama” (As Is) (¥880)
- Ebisoba “Hodohodo” (Moderate) (¥880)
Shop Features
Ichigen is a ramen shop that has evolved uniquely in Sapporo with its shrimp-flavored broth. The soup is made by deep-frying and grinding shrimp shells and heads, then combining them with chicken bone soup. You can choose from three types of soup: “Sonomama” is a rich type that lets you experience the shrimp flavor directly, “Ajiwai” is refreshing with salt sauce, and “Hodohodo” has a Hokkaido-style taste with miso sauce. The medium-thin straight noodles perfectly complement the light soup.
Personal Impression
Ichigen changed my image that Sapporo ramen means miso!When I first tasted how well shrimp flavor goes with ramen, I was shocked!
Personally, I like “Ajiwai” the best, with its clean salt-based taste that allows the shrimp aroma to subtly spread throughout. “Sonomama” might be overwhelming with its strong shrimp flavor at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes addictive (laughs).
The interior is clean and the atmosphere makes it easy for women to enter alone. Previously they closed around 10 PM, but now they’re open until 3 AM, making it perfect for late-night ramen! :+1: Please enjoy it as the perfect finish after a night out in Sapporo!
5. Sapporo Miso Ramen Specialty Shop Keyaki Susukino Main Store
Basic Information
- Address: Sapporo-shi, Chuo-ku, Minami 6-jo Nishi 3, Riku Building 1F
- Access: 3-minute walk from Susukino Station (Subway)
- Business Hours:
- Weekdays: 10:30-3:00 AM next day (Last order 2:45)
- Sundays/Holidays: 10:30-2:00 AM next day (Last order 1:45)
- Closed: Never
Recommended Menu
- Miso Ramen (¥900)
- Special Butter Miso Ramen (¥1,100)
- Miso Ramen + Beer (¥1,200)
Shop Features
Keyaki is located in the heart of Susukino, making it popular with both locals and tourists. The rich miso soup is made by stir-frying plenty of vegetables with a special miso sauce on a base of pork and chicken bones. The noodles are thick with a chewy texture and blend well with the soup. Basic toppings include char siu pork, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, corn, and green onions, with butter added to the special version.
Personal Impression
Keyaki in Susukino is my strong ally after work!
Opening from 10:30 in the morning means it can accommodate breakfast after a night shift or even late-night ramen—such versatility is its charm!
The Special Butter Miso Ramen is a Sapporo winter classic. The aroma and taste when the butter melts into the soup is beyond words. Also, Keyaki uniquely offers a beer set menu, making it the perfect combination to end a night of drinking!
The shop is spacious with many seats, so you can often get in without much of a wait. With both counter and table seating, it’s perfect for ramen tours with friends!
Conclusion
Sapporo’s ramen culture runs deep, and these 5 shops are just the tip of the iceberg. However, these are all places I visit repeatedly and am confident in their deliciousness!
Each shop has its own character, and you can choose based on your mood or preference—that’s part of the appeal. On cold winter days, rich miso ramen warms your body, and shops open late at night are strong allies after drinking.
When visiting Sapporo, please use this article as a reference for your ramen tour! These shops are also recommended for locals, so if there are any you haven’t visited yet, how about trying them for weekend lunch?
This information is current as of May 2025, but shop details may change, so I recommend checking each shop’s official website/social media or calling them directly before visiting!
I hope your “Sapporo Ramen Tour” becomes a wonderful memory!
Next time, I plan to introduce Sapporo’s hidden gems, the Jiro-style ramen shops. Stay tuned!
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