You can’t leave Sapporo without trying one of Japan’s most popular dishes: ramen noodles. It’s an integral part of Japanese culture, so visit one of the dozen ramen shops along historic Ramen Yokocho to try the tasty meal. It’s a good place to meet the friendly locals and to rest your feet after a morning or afternoon of sightseeing.
This particular street began to attract its first ramen shops in the early 1950s and over the years it expanded to include almost 20 shops. That’s how the area got it’s name, because Ramen Yokocho is the Japanese phrase for “alley with ramen restaurants.”
Enjoyed across Japan, miso-flavored ramen is said to have originated in Sapporo, and many would agree that this city still makes it best. Miso, a soybean paste, is used as a base to create a thick, tasty soup and this steaming meal suits Hokkaido’s notoriously cold winters. Sapporo’s ramen is also typically made with thick noodles, and comes topped with other foods that Hokkaido is known for, such as butter or sweet corn.
To sample the much-loved noodle dish, walk under the neon sign that marks the entrance to Ramen Yokocho. Like the majority of ramen shops across Japan, the restaurants in this alley are small establishments, often just a counter with a few tables. It’s very common for these shops to have vending machines for placing orders digitally at the entrance.
Remember that it is custom to make slurping sounds as you enjoy your ramen. In Japan, slurping is not considered to be rude, in fact, it’s said to help enhance the flavors and of course it helps cooling off the long noodles.
Ramen Yokocho can be reached by taking the subway to Susukino Station. It is located in Susukino, one of the country’s largest entertainment districts. If you want to experience the excellent nightlife in the area, stop by Ramen Yokocho for dinner and then head to one of the nearby karaoke bars or izakayas (Japanese-style pubs).
