Hokkaido is often referred to as Japan’s “Ramen Kingdom,” home to a wide variety of local ramen styles, including the famous Sapporo Miso Ramen, Hakodate Shio (Salt) Ramen, and Asahikawa Shoyu (Soy Sauce) Ramen. Thanks to its vast land, unique climate, and food culture, each region has developed its own distinctive ramen with rich character.
In this article, we will explain the appeal of Hokkaido ramen, highlighting its characteristics such as miso, soy sauce, salt, and seafood-based broths, while also introducing some of the most famous ramen shops in Hokkaido.
From Sapporo, Hakodate, and Asahikawa to Muroran, Kushiro, and even Rishiri Island, here are 9 must-try local Hokkaido ramen varieties to enjoy on your travels.
*If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
Why Does Hokkaido Have So Many Local Ramen Styles? The Role of Climate and Food Culture
The reason why there are so many local ramen varieties in Hokkaido is due to its vast land and the development of different climates and food cultures in each region. Cities like Sapporo, Hakodate, and Asahikawa, as well as areas such as Kushiro, Muroran, and Rishiri, have each built their own unique ramen culture by making use of local ingredients and cooking methods.
For example, in Asahikawa, where winters are harsh, shoyu ramen with lard was developed to keep the soup hot, while in the port town of Hakodate, shio ramen made with seafood-based broth became the standard.
Additionally, the abundance of ingredients thanks to thriving fishing, dairy, and agriculture industries, as well as the cold climate that fostered a noodle culture to warm the body, are also reasons why there are so many local ramen varieties in Hokkaido.
Sapporo Miso Ramen (Sapporo City)
Sapporo Miso Ramen is the representative ramen of Hokkaido and is renowned worldwide. Its rich miso-based broth is finished with lard, helping it stay piping hot until the very last bite. The medium-thick curly noodles blend perfectly with the soup, creating a harmonious taste.
The classic style is to stir-fry bean sprouts and onions and add them to the bowl, resulting in a rich and punchy flavor that developed in Sapporo's cold climate.
Recommended Sapporo Miso Ramen Shops
Keyaki Susukino Main Store
This is a popular miso ramen shop representing Susukino in Sapporo. The broth is rich yet surprisingly clean on the palate. The medium-thick curly noodles pair perfectly with the broth, making it a favorite among both tourists and locals.
- Address: Riku Building 1F, Minami 6-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Access: About 3 minutes on foot from Susukino Station (Subway Namboku Line)
- Business Hours: [Mon–Sat] 10:30–3:00 the next day (L.O. 2:45) [Sun & Holidays] 10:30–2:00 the next day (L.O. 1:45)
🍜Reserve at "Keyaki Susukino Main Store" here [Tabelog]
🛒[Keyaki Susukino Main Store] Miso Ramen [Yahoo! Shopping]
Menya Saimi
This is a nationally renowned Sapporo miso ramen shop. Its signature miso seasoning, made from a blend of three types of white miso, is truly one of a kind. There is often a line at lunchtime.
- Address: 10-5-3-12 Misono, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
- Access: About 4 minutes on foot from Misono Station (Subway Toho Line), Exit 1
- Business Hours: [Tue–Thu, Sun] 11:00–15:15 [Fri, Sat] 11:00–15:15, 17:00–19:30
- Closed: Mondays
🍜Reserve at "Menya Saimi" here [Tabelog]
Sumire Sapporo Susukino Branch
This is a historic and renowned Sapporo miso ramen restaurant, established in 1964 (Showa 39). The rich, piping hot soup finished with lard is its signature, allowing you to enjoy the classic taste of authentic Sapporo ramen.
- Address: 2F Pyxis Building, 3-9-2 Minami 3-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Access: About 1 minute on foot from Susukino Station (Subway Namboku Line)
- Business hours: 11:00–24:00
- Closed: Open year-round
🍜 Reserve at "Sumire Sapporo Susukino" here [Tabelog]
🛒 Sumire Ramen Miso Ramen (1 serving) 2-pack [Yahoo! Shopping]
Hakodate Shio Ramen (Hakodate City)
This ramen features a clear, transparent salt-based broth, highlighting the natural umami of a broth made from pork bones, chicken, kelp, and other ingredients.
Light yet flavorful, it pairs perfectly with thin, straight noodles. As a refined bowl that brings out the natural taste of the ingredients, it is beloved by many tourists.
Recommended Hakodate Shio Ramen Shops
Hakodate Menchubo Ajisai Main Store
A popular shop representing Hakodate shio ramen. The clear broth is light yet packed with umami.
- Address: 29-22 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate
- Access: About 10 minutes on foot from "Goryokaku Koen-mae" tram stop
- Business hours: 11:00–20:25 (Last Order)
- Closed: 4th Wednesday of the month
🍜 Reserve at "Hakodate Menchubo Ajisai Main Store" here [Tabelog]
🛒 [Refrigerated] "Menchubo Ajisai" Ajisai Shio Ramen 2 servings (110g×2) × 3 packs [Yahoo! Shopping]
Asahikawa Shoyu Ramen (Asahikawa City)
Source: Yahoo! Shopping
Asahikawa shoyu ramen is known as one of the three great ramen styles of Hokkaido. Its defining feature is a “double broth” made from pork bones and seafood, topped with a layer of lard to retain heat.
The low-moisture curly noodles hold the soup well, letting you enjoy the rich flavors developed in the cold climate of Asahikawa.
Recommended Asahikawa Shoyu Ramen Shops
Asahikawa Ramen Aoba Main Store
This long-established shop, founded in 1947 (Showa 22), is a representative of Asahikawa ramen. The soup, simmered gently without boiling, has been made the same way since the shop first opened.
- Address: 2-jo Building Meitengai, 8-chome, 2-jo-dori, Asahikawa
- Access: About 7 minutes on foot from JR Asahikawa Station
- Business hours: 9:30–14:00, 15:00–17:30
- Closed: Wednesdays
🍜Reserve at "Asahikawa Ramen Aoba Main Store" here [Tabelog]
🛒 Asahikawa Ramen Aoba 8 servings (2 servings × 4 boxes) [Yahoo! Shopping]
Ramenya Tenkin 4-jo Store
Founded in 1952 (Showa 27). The rich pork bone-based broth is its hallmark, and special attention is paid to toppings such as chashu, green onions, and menma.
- Address: 4-jo-dori 9-1704-31, Asahikawa
- Access: About 10 minutes on foot from JR Asahikawa Station
- Business hours: 11:00–20:30 (Last Order 20:00)
🍜 Reserve at "Ramenya Tenkin 4-jo Store" here [Tabelog]
🛒 Ramenya Tenkin Asahikawa Shoyu (dried) 126g × 10 packs [Yahoo! Shopping]
Muroran Curry Ramen (Muroran City)
Source: Yahoo! Shopping
Muroran Curry Ramen is a unique local dish from Muroran that combines the spiciness of curry with the savory flavors of ramen. It features a rich pork bone-based broth infused with curry flavor, perfectly matched with chewy, medium-thick noodles. The ramen is often topped with chashu (braised pork) and vegetables.
Since the establishment of the “Muroran Curry Ramen Association” in 2006, this dish has become a soul food representing Muroran. Today, many restaurants across the city serve their own take on curry ramen.
Recommended Muroran Curry Ramen Shops
Aji no Daio Muroran Main Store
Aji no Daio is known as the birthplace of Muroran Curry Ramen. The soup strikes a perfect balance of richness, sweetness, and spiciness, and pairs excellently with their homemade curly noodles, which are aged for over three days.
- Address: 2-9-3 Chuo-cho, Muroran City
- Access: About 5 minutes on foot from JR Muroran Station
- Business hours: 11:00–14:30
- Closed: Tuesdays
🍜 Reserve at "Aji no Daio Muroran Main Store" here [Tabelog]
Gentlemen Nakajima Branch
“Gentlemen” is popular with both tourists and locals. Their rich curry soup is exquisite, and the fact that they are open late into the night is another great point.
- Address: 1-14-10 Nakajima-cho, Muroran City
- Access: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Higashi-Muroran Station
- Business hours: [Mon–Thu] 11:30–14:00, 18:00–1:00 [Fri–Sat] 11:30–14:00, 18:00–3:00
- Closed: Sundays
Kushiro Ramen (Kushiro City)
Source: Yahoo! Shopping
Kushiro Ramen is characterized by its light soy sauce-based broth made with seafood stock and its extremely thin, curly noodles, which are rare even across Japan. The thin noodles pair perfectly with the soup, offering a light and smooth texture.
It is also loved as a dish to finish off a night of drinking, and its simple yet never-boring flavor has been cherished for many years.
Recommended Kushiro Ramen Shops
Ramen Maruhira
This popular shop has been selected for Tabelog’s Top 100 Ramen Shops for two consecutive years. It is known for its light soy sauce broth and thin curly noodles, and has long been loved by locals.
- Address: 8-1-13 Urami, Kushiro City
- Access: About 7 minutes by car from JR Kushiro Station
- Business hours: 9:30–14:00
- Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays
🍜 Reserve at "Ramen Maruhira" here [Tabelog]
Kushiro Ramen Kawamura
A long-established shop that is a must-visit for Kushiro ramen fans. The combination of seafood-flavored broth and ultra-thin curly noodles attracts many loyal customers.
- Address: 5-2 Suehiro-cho, Kushiro City
- Access: About 14 minutes on foot from JR Kushiro Station
- Business hours: 11:00–14:30, 18:00–24:00 *Until 14:00 on Sundays and holidays
🍜 Reserve at "Kushiro Ramen Kawamura" here [Tabelog]
🛒 Kushiro Ramen Kawamura Soy Sauce 4 servings, 3-pack set [Yahoo! Shopping]
Rishiri Ramen (Rishiri Island)
Source: Yahoo! Shopping
This ramen makes the most of the umami of Rishiri kombu, one of Japan’s most renowned premium kelp varieties. The clear soup is packed with the refined flavor of kombu dashi, offering a light yet complex flavor.
The Yaki Shoyu Ramen, in particular, is especially popular, with its exquisite balance of roasted soy sauce aroma and kombu flavor. As a local ramen that highlights ingredients unique to Rishiri Island, it enjoys nationwide recognition.
Recommended Rishiri Ramen Shops
Rishiri Ramen Miraku Main Store
This shop is famous for its Yaki Shoyu Ramen, which makes generous use of Rishiri kombu. You can enjoy a fragrant bowl featuring kombu dashi as the base, combined with soy sauce roasted to the brink of burning.
- Address: 67 Honmachi, Kutsugata, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun
- Access: About 17 minutes by car from Oshidomari Port
- Business hours: 11:30–14:00 (until 14:30 from June to September only)
- Closed: Thursdays
🍜 Reserve at "Rishiri Ramen Miraku Main Store" here [Tabelog]
🛒 Rishiri Ramen Miraku Yaki Shoyu Flavor 2 Servings, 2-Pack Set [Yahoo! Shopping]
Gatatan Ramen (Ashibetsu City)
© Hokkaido Tourism Organization
Gatatan Ramen is a local gourmet dish that arranges Ashibetsu City’s specialty “Gatatan” into ramen. Its roots lie in the Chinese dish “Gantan Tang (Gatatan),” and it’s finished as a hearty bowl packed with a variety of ingredients.
The soup is a thick, Chinese-style broth made with a variety of ingredients, including pork, seafood, vegetables, and wood ear mushrooms.
Recommended Gatatan Ramen Shops
Shin Horaiken
“Shin Horaiken” is the birthplace of Gatatan Ramen. The dumplings, made by blending several types of flour, are a highlight, and the soup is thick and rich. It’s a very filling bowl.
- Address: 38 Kamiashibetsu-cho, Ashibetsu City
- Access: About 3 minutes by car from JR Kamiashibetsu Station
- Business hours: 11:00–15:00 (L.O. 14:30) / 17:00–19:30 (L.O. 19:00)
- Closed: Tuesdays, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays
🍜 Reserve at "Shin Horaiken" here [Tabelog]
Noboribetsu Jigoku Ramen (Noboribetsu City)
“Noboribetsu Jigoku Ramen” is a super spicy ramen known as a specialty of Noboribetsu Onsen. The bright red soup, inspired by the red ogres of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), is characterized by its stimulating spiciness, thanks to the generous use of chili peppers.
Many shops allow you to choose your preferred level of spiciness, and it’s often enjoyed as a challenge dish. Despite the heat, the umami flavor comes through, making it a local gourmet dish to enjoy alongside a hot spring visit.
Recommended Noboribetsu Jigoku Ramen Shops
Aji no Daio Noboribetsu Onsen Branch
This ramen shop is famous for its truly “hellish” bright red soup. The basic level of spiciness is “0-chome (Block 0),” and you can increase it one level at a time. The shop displays photos of customers who have finished “10-chome” or higher, making it a unique spot.
- Address: 29 Noboribetsu Onsen-cho, Noboribetsu City
- Access: About 10 minutes by car from JR Noboribetsu Station
- Business hours: 11:30–15:00
- Closed: Tuesdays
🍜 Reserve at "Aji no Daio Noboribetsu Onsen Branch" here [Tabelog]
Kamikawa Ramen (Kamikawa Town)
© Hokkaido Tourism Organization
This is a local ramen beloved in Kamikawa Town, located at the foot of the Daisetsuzan Mountains. While Asahikawa ramen is known for its double soup, Kamikawa ramen is often made with only pork bone broth, allowing you to enjoy a rich flavor paired with curly noodles.
Loved by locals as a warming bowl unique to cold regions, its simple yet never-boring flavor is its main appeal.
Recommended Kamikawa Ramen Shops
Asahi Shokudo
This long-established eatery has been beloved in Kamikawa Town for many years. Their most popular dish is the miso ramen known as "Toku Miso," and they also offer a wide variety of rice dishes that pair perfectly with ramen.
- Address: 135 Minami-machi, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun
- Access: About a 7-minute walk from JR Kamikawa Station
- Hours: 11:00–14:30, 17:00–until soup runs out
- Closed: Mondays
🛒Asahi Shokudo Sake Lees Ramen 1 bag × 5 packs【Yahoo! Shopping】
If you want to try different Hokkaido ramen, visit here! Hokkaido Ramen Dojo & Asahikawa Ramen Village
Hokkaido Ramen Dojo
Located on the 3rd floor of the New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal, "Hokkaido Ramen Dojo" is a gourmet spot where popular ramen shops from all over Hokkaido gather.
The biggest attraction is that you can enjoy Hokkaido’s representative local ramen—such as Sapporo’s miso ramen, Asahikawa’s shoyu ramen, and Hakodate’s shio ramen—right at the airport.
On the official website, you can search for your favorite ramen by categories like "Hokkaido’s Specialty," "Rich Flavor," or "Light Flavor." You can also compare noodle thickness and soup richness, so be sure to check it out.
- Address: 3rd Floor, New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal, 987-22 Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido
- Access: Inside New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal
- Hours: Varies by shop
- Website: https://www.hokkaido-airports.com/ja/new-chitose/special/airport-noodle/
Asahikawa Ramen Village
Located in Asahikawa City, "Asahikawa Ramen Village" is a ramen theme park where seven famous shops representing Asahikawa ramen come together. Since its opening in 1996, it has been loved as a hub for sharing the appeal of Asahikawa ramen nationwide.
Inside the facility, popular shops such as "Aoba" and "Tenkin" line up, each offering their own signature bowl. One of the attractions is the opportunity to compare the different shops’ takes on Asahikawa ramen, including its signature rich soup made from animal- and seafood-based broths and its low-moisture curly noodles.
There are also exhibition corners and souvenir shops related to ramen, making it a popular tourist spot where many people come to fully enjoy Asahikawa’s ramen culture.
- Address: 119-48 Nagayama 11-jo 4-chome, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
- Access: About an 8-minute walk from JR Minami-Nagayama Station
- Hours: 11:00–20:00
- Website: https://www.ramenmura.com/
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