Sapporo Soup Curry

Sapporo soup curry is a dish where the star is not a thick roux but a free flowing, spice infused soup. Its roots are said to lie in a medicinal style dish served in the 1970s by a Sapporo coffee shop called Ajanta, and it became a huge boom in the 2000s before spreading nationwide. The defining style is large chunky ingredients enjoyed alongside a separate plate of rice.

Highlights

- A spicy, free flowing soup that brings out aroma, stimulation and heat - A choice of main ingredients such as a bone in chicken leg, braised pork or lamb - Colorful vegetables like deep fried or parboiled potato, carrot, eggplant and pumpkin - The fun of customizing the spice level and toppings to your own taste

Enjoying the Seasons

In the cold months it is exceptional as a soup that warms you to the core, and savoring it while breaking a sweat is part of the appeal. In summer it is popular as a dish to revive the appetite, with a spice level of your choosing in an air conditioned shop. Dipping the rice into the soup little by little lets you enjoy it warm to the end.

Access and Basic Information

- Area: many specialty shops scattered throughout Sapporo - Access: shops cluster around Susukino and Odori, within walking distance of the subway - Price range: roughly 1100 to 1600 yen per plate - Note: many shops let you choose the heat level and the amount of rice

A Quick Tip

The recommended way to eat is to scoop the rice with a spoon, dip it into the soup, then bring it to your mouth. Breaking apart the large ingredients within the soup as you eat draws out an even deeper savory flavor.