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Food tours in Sapporo: what to eat and which tour to book
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan's northern farm and fishing island, and its food leans on that: crab, sea urchin, salmon roe and scallops piled on rice at the morning markets, miso ramen topped with butter and corn, soup curry (a thin, spiced curry broth with whole vegetables and chicken), and jingisukan, mutton grilled on a domed iron pan. Dairy from Hokkaido farms goes into soft-serve, cheese tarts and parfaits, and Sapporo Beer has been brewed here since the 1870s. Susukino, the nightlife district, is where most ramen and late-night eating happens.
Use this page to decide what to eat and where. The dishes and areas below explain what the markets and districts are good for and when to go. The tours listed are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the current price and details on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Sapporo
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miso ramen 味噌ラーメン (miso rāmen) | Ramen in a rich miso broth with thick, curly noodles, often topped with sweetcorn, butter, bean sprouts and minced pork. Sapporo's signature style. | Ramen shops in Susukino, including the Ganso Ramen Yokocho alley, and across the city. | roughly ¥900–1,400 (about €5.50–8.50) |
| Soup curry スープカレー (sūpu karē) | A Sapporo invention: thin, spiced curry broth with a chicken leg and large pieces of roasted vegetables, served with rice on the side. You choose the spice level. | Specialist soup curry restaurants throughout the city, especially around Susukino and Odori. | roughly ¥1,300–2,000 (about €8–12) |
| Grilled mutton ジンギスカン (jingisukan) | Mutton or lamb grilled with vegetables on a dome-shaped iron pan at the table, dipped in a soy-based sauce. Named after Genghis Khan. | Jingisukan restaurants in Susukino and the Sapporo Beer Garden. | roughly ¥1,500–3,500 per person, more for all-you-can-eat sets (about €9–21) |
| Seafood rice bowl 海鮮丼 (kaisendon) | Rice topped with raw seafood such as sea urchin (uni), salmon roe (ikura), crab, scallop and tuna. | Nijo Market and the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market's outer market (Jogai Shijo); best at breakfast or lunch. | roughly ¥2,000–5,000 depending on toppings (about €12–30) |
| Hokkaido crab 蟹 (kani) | Hairy crab, king crab and snow crab, boiled or grilled, eaten at markets or in crab restaurants. | Market stalls and crab restaurants; ask the price before ordering, as it is sold by size and weight. | roughly ¥3,000–10,000+ depending on species and size (about €18–60+) |
| Hokkaido fried chicken ザンギ (zangi) | Hokkaido's name for karaage, fried chicken marinated more strongly than in the rest of Japan and often served with a dipping sauce. | Izakaya, convenience stores and lunch shops. | roughly ¥500–900 a portion (about €3–5.50) |
| End-of-night parfait シメパフェ (shime pafe) | A late-night parfait eaten after drinking, a recent Sapporo custom, with layers of Hokkaido soft-serve, fruit and sauces. | Dessert bars in Susukino, open late. | roughly ¥1,500–2,500 (about €9–15) |
| Sapporo Classic and local beer サッポロクラシック | Sapporo Classic is a lager sold only in Hokkaido; the city also has craft breweries. | Izakaya across the city and the Sapporo Beer Museum area. | roughly ¥500–800 a glass (about €3–5) |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Nijo Market
Central market a few blocks from Odori Park with seafood stalls and small restaurants serving kaisendon for breakfast and lunch.
Sapporo Central Wholesale Market – Outer Market (Jogai Shijo)
Rows of shops and restaurants next to the wholesale market, with fresh seafood and produce at slightly lower prices than more central areas.
Susukino
Sapporo's entertainment district with ramen shops, jingisukan, izakaya, soup curry and late-night dessert bars, plus the Ganso Ramen Yokocho alley.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Long covered shopping arcade between Odori and Susukino with cafés, cheap eateries and souvenir food shops.
Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum
Historic red-brick brewery buildings with beer halls serving jingisukan and Sapporo beer.
Odori Park festivals
During the Sapporo Autumn Fest (September) and winter events, Odori Park fills with Hokkaido food stalls and beer stands.
Food tours in Sapporo compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo: Ramen-Making Class | 1.5 hours | from €68 per person | private | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Authentic Sapporo: Nijo Market Seafood Lunch & History Tour | 2.5 hours | from €55 per person | max 8 | Morning people who want to see where locals shop and taste produce at the source. | Check dates |
| Eat Like a Local in Sapporo – Private & Custom Food Tour | 3 hours | from €165 per person | private | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
| Sapporo: Matcha Tea Ceremony, Kimono, and Cooking Class | 2 hours | from €97 per person | private | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Sapporo Seafood Brunch Tour: Taste Fresh Hokkaido | 2.5 hours | from €53 per person | max 7 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
Sapporo: Ramen-Making Class
On GetYourGuide · run by 和do Studio Sapporo
- Length
- 1.5 hours
- Price
- from €68 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 11 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Ramen making experience Ingredients for ramen Apron Instructor guidance Personal accident insurance
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
- Starts
- 日本、〒060-0063 北海道札幌市中央区南３条西９丁目 ＩＣハイデンス
Authentic Sapporo: Nijo Market Seafood Lunch & History Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Ezosika Travel Co., Ltd.
- Length
- 2.5 hours
- Price
- from €55 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 42 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 8
- Suits
- Morning people who want to see where locals shop and taste produce at the source.
- Starts
- 札幌市時計台
Eat Like a Local in Sapporo – Private & Custom Food Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by City Unscripted
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €165 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 15 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Private and personalized 3-hour food tour with a local host Online questionnaire sent after booking to tailor your experience and match you with the right host 6-8 tastings of authentic local dishes showcasing Sapporo…
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
Sapporo: Matcha Tea Ceremony, Kimono, and Cooking Class
On GetYourGuide · run by Hokkaido Experience Japan
- Length
- 2 hours
- Price
- from €97 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 6 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- The ingredients for Onigiri and Miso soup Matcha green tea and sweets Kimono rental fee Kimono dressing fee
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
- Starts
- Ōasa Station
Sapporo Seafood Brunch Tour: Taste Fresh Hokkaido
On GetYourGuide · run by MagicalTrip
- Length
- 2.5 hours
- Price
- from €53 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 3 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 7
- Included
- English speaking guide Visit to Nijo Market Brunch at a local sushi restaurant Walk around Tanuki market Visit to local shops around Odori Park Visit to Sapporo Clock Tower Guide's food and drinks
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Sapporo TV Tower
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Sapporo doesn't have much street food in the Asian-market sense. Quick eating means market counters, ramen shops with ticket machines, convenience stores and seasonal stalls at Odori Park festivals. In winter, warm, small ramen shops play the role street stalls do elsewhere.
Sit-down meals
Most meals are sit-down but casual: ramen counters, soup curry shops and izakaya where you order many small plates. Jingisukan restaurants are smoky and fun; leave good clothes at the hotel. Popular places have queues at peak times; arrive early or late.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes are less common than in Tokyo or Kyoto. Options typically cover ramen, sushi or home cooking; some farm or dairy experiences around the city offer cheese or butter making. Check current listings.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | ¥3,000–4,500 (about €18–27): convenience-store breakfast, ramen lunch, simple dinner |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | ¥7,000–12,000 (about €42–72): kaisendon breakfast, soup curry lunch, izakaya dinner |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | ¥20,000+ (about €120+): crab kaiseki or high-end sushi |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Difficult. Ramen broth, soup curry and many sauces contain pork, chicken or fish stock (dashi). Some soup curry shops offer vegetable curry with a vegetable broth; ask specifically. Vegan options are limited outside a few dedicated restaurants.
Halal: Limited but improving. A few halal-certified restaurants serve ramen, jingisukan and Japanese dishes, partly for visitors from Southeast Asia; check current listings. Mirin and sake are common in seasonings, and pork is widespread in ramen.
Gluten-free: Difficult. Soy sauce contains wheat, and ramen noodles are wheat-based. Sashimi with tamari, kaisendon (bring your own gluten-free soy sauce) and plain grilled fish are safer. A written card in Japanese is essential for coeliacs.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Touts in Susukino steering visitors to bars or clubs with cover charges, table fees and inflated drink prices. Ignore street touts; choose bars and izakaya yourself and check the menu and any 'table charge' first.
- Crab sold at market stalls at high prices, with aggressive sales pitches and unclear weights. Ask the total price before agreeing, compare stalls, and remember that the outer market and supermarkets can be cheaper.
- Surprise 'otōshi' (compulsory small appetiser) charge at izakaya. This is a normal custom, usually ¥300–600 per person; ask in advance if you want to know the amount.
Top tours & activities in Sapporo
Rent a car in Sapporo
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Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
Do I need to tip in Sapporo?
No. Tipping isn't part of Japanese culture and can cause confusion; staff may chase you to return the money. Good service is included in the price. Some upscale restaurants and hotels add a service charge of around 10% to the bill. Tour guides don't expect tips either, though a thank-you is appreciated.
When should I go to Nijo Market?
Go in the morning for breakfast, roughly 7:00–10:00, when seafood is freshest and queues at popular kaisendon restaurants are shorter. Many stalls and restaurants close by mid-afternoon. The outer market by the central wholesale market opens even earlier. Hours vary by shop, so check current times.
Which ramen should I try?
Miso ramen is Sapporo's own style: rich miso broth, thick curly noodles and toppings such as corn and butter. Try it at a shop in Susukino or in the Ganso Ramen Yokocho alley. Many shops use ticket machines at the door; buy your ticket, hand it to the staff and wait for a seat.
How much should I budget for food per day?
A budget day with convenience-store breakfast, ramen at lunch and a simple dinner costs about ¥3,000–4,500 (€18–27). A day with a seafood bowl breakfast, soup curry lunch and izakaya dinner is about ¥7,000–12,000 (€42–72). Crab and high-end sushi dinners easily pass ¥20,000 per person.
What is soup curry?
Soup curry is a Sapporo dish that became popular in the 1990s and 2000s: a thin, spiced curry broth with a whole chicken leg and big pieces of roasted vegetables such as pumpkin, potato and aubergine, served with rice on the side. You choose the spice level and often the broth style when you order.
Is it worth visiting in winter for food?
Yes. Winter is crab and seafood season, and hot ramen, soup curry and jingisukan suit the cold. The Sapporo Snow Festival in February brings food stalls to Odori Park but also very high hotel demand, so book early. Some outdoor beer gardens and terraces close in winter.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.