Hakodate Shio Ramen: Where to Eat and Prices (Hokkaido)

The greatest feature of Hakodate shio ramen is a clear, salt seasoned broth so transparent you can see the bottom of the bowl. The port town of Hakodate had lively exchange with China from early on, and the clear soup and salt flavor introduced in the Meiji era are said to be the roots of this bowl today. In 1884, a shop called Yowaken is said to have served nankin soba, which is regarded as one of the sources of Hakodate ramen culture. In contrast to the rich styles of Hokkaido, its light and refined taste is the charm.

Highlights

• A clear salt broth simmered at low temperature from pork bone, chicken bone and kelp to keep it from clouding
• Soft medium thick straight noodles that blend well with the soup
• Simple, classic toppings of roast pork, bamboo shoots and chopped green onion
• A character as the most extreme of the lighter styles among the local ramen of Japan

Enjoying the Seasons

The light salt flavor goes down smoothly even in the hot season when richer dishes feel heavy. In winter the clear broth seeps gently into the body, perfect as a bowl after sightseeing. It is a port town bowl worth pairing with the morning market or a tour of the night view.

Access and Basic Information

• Area: within Hakodate, with long established shops near the station and morning market
• Access: many famous shops are within walking distance of JR Hakodate Station
• Price range: roughly 700 to 1000 yen per bowl
• Note: many shops sit in spots easy to drop by before or after sightseeing

Practical Travel Notes

• Timing: since the Hakodate morning market bustles from early morning, finishing a stroll through the market with a light shio ramen is popular. It is also easy to drop by before or after seeing the night view, and shops near the station are handy between stops.
• Tips for tasting: because the light salt flavor rarely feels heavy alongside other foods, it is easy to hop between it and a seafood bowl or sweets on the same day. Tasting the soup first before moving to the noodles reveals its delicacy well.
• Nearby spots: the morning market, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses and the night view from Mount Hakodate all cluster near the station, making it easy to stop by between sights.
• Budget: a bowl often stays around a thousand yen, making it easy to enjoy compared with other regional ramen.

A Quick Tip

First taste the broth on its own to feel its clear, savory depth. Because the toppings are simple, the delicacy of the stock comes through directly in this bowl. The light, port town salt flavor seeps gently into a body tired from a day of walking.