When the powder piles up across Hokkaido, Sapporo turns up the heat in the kitchen. Here, snow-bound travellers will find a city built for winter comfort food which will warm you from the inside out, from steaming miso ramen to colourful bowls of soup curry and Ishikari salmon hotpot. Plus, cold seas mean treats such as king crab, scallops (hotate) and sea urchin (uni) are at their sweetest. So, with easy access to major ski fields and a food scene that punches well above its weight, why not add a stay in Sapporo to transform your ski holiday into a culinary adventure?
Signature Dishes – What to Eat and Why
- Miso ramen – an iconic local dish showcasing a thick, umami-rich broth that’s built for sub-zero nights. Add local corn and a melting knob of Hokkaido butter for the full effect.
- Soup curry – aromatic and spiced to suit your palate, this broth is packed with roasted veggies and chicken or seafood for a hearty, colourful meal that’s naturally gluten-free.
- Jingisukan – this grilled lamb dish is a Sapporo specialty. Smokey, social and satisfying, it’s made by grilling tender lamb on a dome hotplate with farm-fresh veggies – and made to share.
- Kaisendon – pile king crab, scallops, uni and ikura over warm rice for a fun, fast and fresh fill-me-up meal after a day on the slopes.
- Butter-corn ramen – showcasing Hokkaido dairy at its buttery best, this ramen is made with silky noodles, loads of sweetcorn, butter and miso for a simple yet supremely satisfying meal.
- Ishikari Nabe – pairing a miso-based broth with local salmon, tofu and veggies, Sapporo’s take on salmon hotpot is often finished with Hokkaido milk for extra warmth.
- Zangi – the ultimate post-slopes snack, Zangi is Hokkaido’s version of fried chicken featuring large pieces dished up with a punchy marinade.
- Choux cream & soft serve – powered by Hokkaido milk, no Sapporo stay would be complete without tucking into the region’s cloud-light pastry and ultra-creamy soft serve
Where to Eat Between Ski Days
- Nijo Market & Curb (Jogai) Market – pick your crab, scallops and uni for a fabulously fresh seafood feast.
- Ramen Alley (Ramen Yokocho) – home to 17 tiny shops where you can slurp a steaming bowl, then another, then another.
- Sapporo Beer Museum & Garden – dive into the city’s brewing history, enjoy a tasting flight and fuel up with all-you-can-eat jingisukan.
- Susukino District – this is the spot for a neon night, counter sushi and a raft of classic jingisukan houses (Daruma is highly recommended).
Take advantage of direct Qantas flights to book your ski trip and gourmet getaway today to pair world-class powder with Japan’s most comforting cold climate cuisines.
