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.
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.
” 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.
