yakiniku¥¥¥higashi-ku
The Matsuo chain's flagship east-side branch in Sapporo, 10 minutes from Higashi-Kuyakushomae. Marinated lamb is the house style, opposite Daruma's atozuke.
Signature: Matsuo-style marinated lamb, Aizome marinade lamb, Hokkaido beef yakiniku
Order: Lamb-shoulder loin with the family aizome marinade and the trio comparison set.
Tip: Book the comparison set through byFood or Pelago in advance; popular with families.
Japanese¥¥¥¥sapporo-station
The seven-storey Honten near Sapporo Station, the city's reference crab restaurant since 1964, working all three Hokkaido crabs across course menus.
Signature: Kegani hairy crab, King crab sashimi, Crab kaiseki course
Order: Kegani hairy crab in the steamed kaiseki course paired with crab sashimi.
Tip: The Susukino branch closed in 2022; the Honten is now the principal Sapporo address.
Japanese¥¥shiroishi-ku
The original soup curry shop. Founder Taizan Shimomura coined the term here in 1993, riffing on Indonesian soto ayam with chicken broth and 30 spices.
Signature: Chicken soup curry, Spice level kakuteru, Sumire-tier heat
Order: Chicken-leg soup curry at the kakuteru spice level; rice on the side, fork-and-spoon.
Tip: Six heat levels from junrei to sumire; ask for haskap lassi as the cooler. Closed Wednesdays.
Japanese¥¥susukino
The Susukino soup-curry shop two minutes from the station. Chicken leg, knuckle pork and Hokkaido vegetables in a clearer broth than Magic Spice.
Signature: Chicken-leg soup curry, Knuckle pork soup curry, Lamb chop curry
Order: Knuckle pork soup curry with 21 vegetables; the broth is lighter than Magic Spice.
Tip: Long queue from 12:00; Suage2 is the same operator one block over with the same menu.
Japanese¥¥odori
Founded 2007, Garaku built its name on a clear 21-spice broth and slow-cooked chicken leg. Underground room behind a stone facade near Bus Center.
Signature: Tender chicken leg curry, Hokkaido vegetable plate, 21-spice broth
Order: Tender chicken leg with Hokkaido vegetables; spice level five for first-timers.
Tip: Queue forms 11:30 on weekends; the Tanukikoji branch is a five-minute walk west.
Japanese¥¥hokkaido-university
Picante opened 1996 north of Hokkaido University campus, one of the founding soup-curry houses after Magic Spice. The Hokudai-mae original keeps the queues.
Signature: Soup curry knuckle pork, Lamb-leg curry, Tomato-spice broth
Order: Knuckle pork soup curry, broth of choice (1-4 spice).
Tip: Four-minute walk from Kita 12-jo subway; 44 seats but expect 30 minutes at peak.