Sapporo Soup Curry: Where to Eat and Prices (Hokkaido)

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 1971 by a Maruyama coffee shop called Ajanta, and the name soup curry is said to have been coined in 1993 by a shop called Magic Spice. 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

Practical Travel Notes

• Timing: popular shops tend to draw lines at the lunch peak, so just after opening around 11 am or after 2 pm outside lunch is a good target. Discussing heat and toppings can take time, so arriving with some room to spare is reassuring.
• Tips for tasting: for a first time, starting at medium heat lets you feel the depth of the spices while eating comfortably. It is worth trying the way of scooping rice with a spoon and dipping it into the soup, or the local style of soaking the rice in the soup.
• Nearby spots: famous shops gather in the Susukino, Odori and Maruyama areas and are easy to reach by subway. Combining it with a stroll through Tanukikoji lets you enjoy Sapporo food and street walking in one day.
• Budget: a rough guide is roughly 1100 to 1600 yen per plate, rising with toppings. The free flowing soup splashes easily, so a little care with white clothes is reassuring.

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. Many shops let you add heat afterward, so starting mild helps you home in on your own perfect plate.