Sapporo Miso Ramen is a widely cherished type of ramen, primarily centered around Sapporo City in Hokkaido, Japan. Its distinctive features include a rich miso-based broth and an abundance of toppings.
Sapporo Miso Ramen has now become a beloved ramen variety throughout Japan.
This article introduces the characteristics and history of Sapporo Miso Ramen.
Features of Sapporo Miso Ramen
Sapporo’s miso ramen is credited to Omiya Morihito, the owner of the popular local eatery “Aji no Sanpei,” who conceived it in 1955.
By incorporating miso into a pork bone broth, this ramen achieves a rich and flavorful soup with a profound depth of taste.
The noodles often used are the “Takasui Jukusei Men(Takawater Ripened Noodles)” produced by Nishiyama Seimen. These noodles, compared to typical ramen noodles, have a higher water content, making them less absorbent of the soup. This makes them well-suited for rich ramen styles like miso ramen.
While the standard toppings include chashu (sliced pork) and green onions, some establishments go further by adding ingredients such as bean sprouts, corn, butter, and ground pork.
History of Sapporo Miso Ramen
In 1955, Morihito Omiya of “Aji no Sanpei” developed miso ramen. Around the same time, Nishiyama Seimen created the “Takawater Ripened Noodles,” specifically designed to complement miso ramen.
In 1963, both “Aji no Sanpei” and “Kuma-san Ramen” in Odori officially added miso ramen to their menus. Subsequently, with Omiya’s approval, the miso ramen noodles, known as “Takawater Ripened Noodles,” were released by Nishiyama Seimen. These noodles gained popularity in other local establishments, contributing to the establishment of “Miso Ramen” as a defining feature of Sapporo ramen.
During a product exhibition at Takashimaya department stores in Tokyo and Osaka in 1965, where live sales demonstrations were conducted, miso ramen garnered significant interest from visitors.
Following this, in 1967, “Dosanko Ramen” initiated a nationwide franchise expansion of ramen shops. In 1968, Sanyo Foods began selling instant miso ramen under the name “Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen,” contributing to the widespread recognition of miso ramen through franchising and the popularity of instant noodles. These developments solidified miso ramen as a regional specialty of Hokkaido.
Recommended Sapporo Miso Ramen Shops
Sapporo Junren さっぽろ純連 札幌本店
” Sapporo Junren Sapporo Store” is approximately a 5-minute walk from Sumikawa Station. Along with “Sumire,” it stands as a representative of “Sapporo Miso Ramen.” While they offer miso, soy sauce, and salt options, if you’re visiting as a tourist, the miso ramen is highly recommended. The layers of lard ensure that the soup stays warm for longer, and the rich broth with a hint of spice is a distinctive feature.
Despite being located away from the central area of Sapporo, it is incredibly popular, often with long lines forming.
Sapporo Junren Details
Ramen Shingen らーめん 信玄
Located about a 10-minute walk from Susukino Station, “Shingen” is cherished by the locals. There’s generally a queue whenever you visit, but the period from early afternoon to evening tends to be relatively less crowded. They offer not only miso ramen but also salt ramen and soy sauce ramen. The miso ramen is categorized by flavors named after different regions like Echigo, Shinshu, Tosa, Harima, Owari, and Mito. Highly recommended are the “Shinshu” (rich miso ramen) and the fried rice. It’s worth noting that the fried rice may sell out late at night, so the afternoon to early evening time frame is a strategic choice. If you’re in Sapporo for several days, this ramen shop comes highly recommended.
Ramen Shingen Details
Menya Saimi 麺屋 彩未
A 15-minute subway ride from Sapporo Station, followed by a 4-minute walk from Biei Station, brings you to “Menya Ayami,” where daily long queues are a common sight.
The highlight, undoubtedly, is their miso ramen. The miso ramen features medium-thick wavy noodles that blend perfectly with the mild-flavored miso soup. Toppings include char siu, bean sprouts, green onions, and ginger—keeping it simple yet flavorful. The ginger adds a refreshing touch, making this miso ramen light and nuanced compared to others like “Sumire” in Sapporo. Grated ginger on top enhances the overwhelming deliciousness as you dissolve it into the soup. The soup is so exquisite that you’ll want to savor every last drop until the very end.
In addition to miso, they also offer soy sauce and salt varieties.
Menya Saimi Details
The article below introduces recommended ramen shops in Sapporo City, so please take a look for reference.
Related: 10 Best Ramen in Sapporo
Recommended Sapporo Ramen Shops in the Tokyo Area
Ohshima 大島
This popular shop is known for its authentic Sapporo-style miso ramen crafted by a chef who honed their skills for 12 years at the renowned “Sumire.” The signature miso ramen boasts excellent sharpness, featuring a rich miso soup with a refreshing aftertaste that has gained acclaim. Enhanced with the fragrances of garlic and ginger, the flavor is so delightful that you’ll want to savor it repeatedly.
Ohshima details
Sumire Yokohamaten すみれ横浜店
The renowned Sapporo miso ramen shop, “Sumire,” located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, has established a branch in Yokohama. Just like the original, it features a rich soup with the perfect blend of miso, creating an exquisite flavor. The noodles are made with Nishiyama Seimen’s “Takawater Ripened Noodles,” allowing you to easily enjoy the authentic taste of Sapporo in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Sumire details
Sapporo Miso Ramen is crafted to suit the cold climate of Hokkaido and is cherished as a hearty bowl that warms the body. You can enjoy the local flavors at hometown ramen shops and tourist destinations. During the chilly winter, why not warm yourself up with a bowl of Sapporo Miso Ramen?