When traveling in Hokkaido, there is much more to enjoy than its breathtaking natural scenery. The region is also packed with endless local delicacies. We even made special trips to highly rated popular restaurants and small local eateries. In this guide, I will share our recommended Hokkaido foods, including our genuine impressions and practical information from places we personally visited.
I will introduce the food by area, including Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, Lake Toya, and more, making it easier for everyone to save and reference. Get your appetite ready and let’s eat our way around Hokkaido!
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Top Must-Try Foods in Hokkaido
If this is your first trip to Hokkaido, what foods should you absolutely try? The table below gives you a quick overview of the must-eat highlights in Hokkaido.
| Restaurant/Shop | Must-Try Dishes & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Sapporo Food | |
| Soup Curry GARAKU | One of Sapporo’s most famous must-try dishes, featuring soup curry filled with large pieces of fresh Hokkaido vegetables |
| Otaru Food | |
| Wakadori Jidai Fried Chicken | A must-try fried chicken in Otaru, with thin crispy skin and tender, juicy meat |
| Takinami Shokudo | One of the most popular restaurants in Sankaku Market, famous for generous seafood bowls and exceptionally fresh, sweet sea urchin |
| LeTAO Otaru Confectionery | Its cheesecake is incredibly soft and creamy |
| Hakodate Food | |
| Lucky Pierrot | A Hakodate-exclusive favorite; the fried chicken burger, fried egg burger, and curry rice are all must-order dishes |
| Eastern Hokkaido Food | |
| Teshikaga Ramen | Specializes in Hokkaido-style ramen, with its signature seafood soy sauce ramen made from fish and shellfish |
| New Chitose Airport Food | |
| Kinotoya | Winner of New Chitose Airport’s “Soft-Serve Ice Cream Election” for six consecutive years. Its two bestsellers, the cheese tart and premium milk soft-serve ice cream, are full of irresistible fresh milk flavor |
| Furano Food | |
| Kumagera くまげら | Previously recommended by Michelin Bib Gourmand Hokkaido and famous for its must-try beef sukiyaki |
| Furano Hand-Made Ramen | The most popular No. 1 dish is the soy sauce ramen |
Recommended Food in Sapporo
Soup Curry
This steaming bowl of soup curry is one of Hokkaido’s most iconic must-try dishes for many travelers. We originally planned to visit the famous queue-worthy restaurant “Soup Curry GARAKU,” but all the numbered tickets had already been handed out, so we switched to “Cafe de Spice,” which is also located opposite Nijo Market.
The soup curry is incredibly aromatic and comes with pumpkin, eggplant, lotus root, yellow bell pepper, broccoli, carrot, and tenderly cooked chicken.
The pumpkin and eggplant soak up the soup beautifully and go perfectly with rice. The broth has a strong black pepper aroma, so anyone who enjoys bold peppery flavors will love it here.
By comparison, the curry spices themselves are slightly milder, but that does not make the dish any less delicious.
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 11.30 am – 11.00 pm
Chashu Ramen
At Ichigo Ichie Sapporo Misono, the No. 1 most popular must-order item on the menu is the “Chashu Ramen,” highly recommended by many ramen lovers!
The pork chashu is especially impressive. The flame-seared pork is tender and easy to bite through, paired with a soft-boiled egg, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, seaweed, and chopped green onions. Every strand of noodle is coated in the rich broth.
The miso broth has a hint of ginger. It is not overly salty, and the refreshing aroma also helps balance the richness.
Ichigo Ichie Sapporo Misono Ramen
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: 11.00 am – 9.00 pm
Recommended Food at New Chitose Airport
Kinotoya Premium Milk Soft-Serve Ice Cream
Before flying out of Hokkaido, one must-try dessert shop at New Chitose Airport is “Kinotoya.” We waited in line for about 20 minutes before finally getting our order. Kinotoya also has branches at Sapporo Daimaru, Odori Park, and the underground shopping area near Tanukikoji.
Kinotoya’s milk soft-serve ice cream has an incredibly smooth and creamy texture. The rich aroma of Hokkaido milk spreads across the palate, and the portion is very generous as well.
The cheese tart has a crisp crust and a smooth, rich filling. I especially recommend the New Chitose Airport-exclusive blueberry cheese tart. The sweet-tart blueberry flavor balances the richness of the cheese so perfectly that it made us want to turn around and buy two more boxes!
Recommended Food in Otaru
Wakadori Jidai Fried Chicken
“Wakadori Jidai Naruto Main Shop” is always packed with locals and tourists, and it has received more than 6,400 Google reviews.
The No. 1 most popular item on the Otaru Wakadori Jidai menu is the half fried chicken, and almost every table seems to order one. The skin is thin and crispy, and with the first bite, hot meat juices burst into your mouth. The meat is tender and even the chicken breast is remarkably juicy.
The fried chicken pieces are also incredibly delicious, with an irresistibly crunchy coating.
Pair it with local Otaru beer: one bite of fried chicken, one sip of ice-cold beer. It really feels like one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Wakadori Jidai Naruto Main Shop Naruto Main Shop
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 11.00 am – 9.00 pm
Parking: Free parking is available at Wakadori Jidai Parking Lots No. 1 and No. 2, although spaces are limited. Alternatively, you can use the paid Otaru Inaho Parking Lot, where purchases of JPY 3,000 or more qualify for one hour of free parking
LeTAO Double Fromage Cheesecake
When visiting Hokkaido, you absolutely have to try LeTAO’s Double Fromage Cheesecake. It really is delicious! What makes this cake special is that you can enjoy two different textures at once: unbaked cream cheese and baked cheese.
The surface is generously covered with cheese crumbs, and the first bite melts on your tongue like snow. The texture is extremely soft and creamy. If you want to bring one home, I recommend purchasing it directly at the airport.
Jidaiya 時代屋
“Jidaiya,” a low-key restaurant near the Otaru Music Box Museum, is filled with all kinds of objects in every corner, along with shelves packed with manga that customers are free to browse.
The grilled fish in the Japanese set meal is very fragrant, with two fresh slices of salmon. The skin is grilled until slightly charred, and a few drops of lemon juice make it even more aromatic.
The rich Japanese curry rice features a cutlet topped with Japanese-style sauce, slices of cheese, and a small amount of fresh cream. The semi-melted cheese blends with the sauce to create a mild, smooth texture, with fresh lettuce leaves served on the side.
The meat sauce spaghetti was less impressive and tasted fairly ordinary. Although the food itself was not unforgettable, the nostalgic atmosphere was relaxing, and many international travelers also praise the owner for her warm hospitality.
Jidaiya 時代屋
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 11.00 am – 9.00 pm
Otaru Crown
“Otaru Crown” uses a self-service ordering machine, making ordering very convenient. The menu offers plenty of choices, ranging from oyster curry to grilled eel rice bowls.
The scallop ramen I ordered was delicious. The noodles were springy, while the broth was packed with rich shellfish flavor, both savory and naturally sweet.
Another dish was beef udon, featuring smooth noodles served with bonito broth and sweet-savory slices of beef.
The most unusual item was the Hokkaido-exclusive “Yoichi Niagara Grape Sparkling Wine.” It has a subtle apple-like aroma, followed by a slightly sweet lychee-like flavor. The layered fruitiness pairs especially well with strongly flavored ramen.
Otaru Crown
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 11.00 am – 8.00 pm
Recommended Food in Hakodate
Jingisukan Grilled Lamb
After eating here, you will understand why “Hakodate Jingisukan Main Shop” is expensive. Its signature dish is Jingisukan grilled lamb. The grill is piled high with onions, which absorb the lamb fat and become wonderfully crisp and sweet.
We ordered the extremely popular Kuroge Wagyu beef, with evenly distributed marbling like marble. The thick-cut Wagyu sizzles on the grill and stays incredibly tender. Cook it to your preferred doneness and dip it in the restaurant’s special sauce, which is neither too salty nor too mild and brings out the natural sweetness of the meat. Once in your mouth, the rich, sweet fat melts across your tongue. The feeling is almost impossible to describe.
For our staple dish, we ordered stir-fried soba noodles with lamb. The noodles had a pleasantly chewy texture, although the black pepper flavor was a little too strong for us.
Another pleasant surprise was the lamb dumplings, which were crispy and juicy and absolutely deserved a big thumbs-up. As for how delicious Hokkaido melon soft-serve ice cream is, anyone who has tried it probably already knows. The fruit aroma is rich, while the texture is creamy yet light.
Hakodate Jingisukan Main Shop
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 4.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Lucky Pierrot
A visit to Hakodate would not be complete without stopping by the extremely popular “Lucky Pierrot.” It has been voted “Japan’s Best-Tasting Burger” multiple times.
The popular fried chicken burger, fried egg burger, and curry rice are all must-order dishes. The burgers are so huge that one is almost enough for two people to share!
Tonpei Okonomiyaki Specialty Restaurant
Located just a five-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station, “Tonpei Okonomiyaki Specialty Restaurant” is best known for its bestselling pork okonomiyaki. The thick cabbage batter is grilled on the hot plate until crisp outside and soft inside, then brushed with rich sauce and topped with aonori seaweed powder and bonito flakes for a classic, unbeatable flavor.
The menu labels the Fluffy & Creamy Cheese Egg as its most popular dish, and I strongly recommend it! What surprised us most was the enormous amount of cheese wrapped inside the golden egg layer. Once cut open, the cheese stretches dramatically. Hidden inside are shrimp, scallops, and pork, combining the freshness of seafood and meat with rich creamy flavors to create an incredibly layered taste and texture.
We also ordered stir-fried noodles with pork, which were delicious and had the distinctive smoky aroma of food quickly fried on a hot griddle.
Tonpei Hakodate Ekimae
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 11.30 am – 10.00 pm
Recommended Food in Furano
Furano hand-made ramen
At this Furano restaurant, Furano hand-made ramen, the most recommended dish on the menu is the Top 1 soy sauce ramen. The broth is rich and savory with a lingering sweetness, delivering a classic and satisfying flavor.
If you prefer stronger flavors, I recommend trying the combination of spicy kimchi and rich broth. One sip of the spicy, flavorful soup instantly warms your entire body.
Besides ramen, the side dishes are also outstanding. The fried rice is filled with ginger and garlic aroma, with every grain clearly separated and full of wok-fired flavor.
The handmade dumplings are another excellent supporting dish. Their pleasantly chewy wrappers are filled with juicy meat and sweet vegetables, giving every bite a satisfying texture. This hot, comforting combination leaves both the body and mind feeling completely satisfied!
Furano hand-made ramen
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: 11.00 am – 9.00 pm, closed on Fridays
Kumagera くまげら
Next up is Kumagera (くまげら), an extremely popular restaurant in Furano!
Many Japanese and Taiwanese celebrities have visited this restaurant, attracting countless famous guests and tourists.
Its Wagyu sukiyaki is considered a classic among food lovers. The restaurant uses premium local Wagyu beef with tender meat and exceptionally even marbling.
Lightly swish the beef in the perfectly balanced sweet-savory sauce and the meat practically melts in your mouth. Eating a steaming pot of sukiyaki makes it feel as though all the cold disappears from your body!
Kumagera くまげら
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: 11.30 am – 9.30 pm, closed on Wednesdays
Recommended Food at Lake Toya
Hokkaido Balloon Pudding
This famous Hokkaido dessert, “Bocca Balloon Pudding,” can be purchased at many souvenir shops throughout Hokkaido.
The white pudding comes sealed inside a balloon. Simply take a toothpick and gently poke it, and the round pudding pops out. Pour caramel sauce over it, and the rich milky flavor of the pudding pairs perfectly with the caramel. Still, while eating it, I could not help feeling like I was eating a boiled egg, which made the experience strangely amusing.
Silo Observation Deck Toya National Park Silo Observation Deck
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
Tempura Shrimp Soba
The biggest highlight of “Sendouan” is its floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Toya. Eating beside the window while gazing at Mount Yotei and the lake in the distance feels incredibly relaxing.
We ordered the tempura shrimp soba set, but the meal did not quite meet our expectations. The tempura shrimp, which we had especially been looking forward to, had rather soft batter and lacked the crisp texture it should have had. However, the soba noodles in the set were actually better. We chose warm soba, which was smooth and slightly soft, soaking in bonito broth and warming the entire body.
The soba can also be served cold. After being rinsed and chilled in water, it is dipped into sauce and has a chewier texture than the warm version.
The cute children’s meal includes fried shrimp, French fries, as well as chocolate pudding and fried chicken that kids love.
Sendouan
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 11.00 am – 2.30 pm
Recommended Food in Eastern Hokkaido
Teshikaga Ramen
The main restaurant is located in Teshikaga Town, and Teshikaga Ramen currently also has branches at the “New Chitose Airport Ramen Dojo” and in Sapporo. The menu offers plenty of choices, with each broth having its own distinctive character.
The restaurant’s signature dish is the “Seafood Concentrated Soy Sauce Ramen,” made with a seafood soy sauce broth featuring fish and shellfish. The seafood aroma is very noticeable, and the broth has a rich umami flavor. Anyone who enjoys stronger flavors will probably love it.
You can also try the “Teshikaga Soy Sauce Ramen.” The broth is rich without being overly salty and is a classic choice for many first-time visitors.
Teshikaga Ramen Main Shop
Address: (Google Map)
Opening hours: Daily 11.00am – 8.00pm
Final Thoughts on Hokkaido Food
Hokkaido is enormous, and its food culture is incredibly diverse. One trip is nowhere near enough to finish everything on our food wish list. Whether it is soup curry, Jingisukan grilled lamb, or desserts, every dish makes us want to eat it again and again. I am already looking forward to returning in another season, discovering even more hidden culinary gems across Hokkaido, and sharing them with everyone again.