When traveling, even if you’re usually reserved, you should channel your inner foodie and try all the local delicacies.Japan’s popular “all-you-can-eat” (tabehoudai) or “all-you-can-drink” (nomihoudai) menus let you indulge freely. If you want to eat and drink to your heart’s content, just look for “nomihoudai”! Unless you’re loaded, of course~
Here I’m recommending a hidden izakaya that’s a local favorite in Sapporo. It’s the kind of place everyone knows about but doesn’t talk about because they love it so much they want to keep it to themselves.
It’s called “Maido!” (まいど！), and the exclamation mark in the name literally translates to “Every time!”There are four locations in Sapporo, all in the city center: two near Sapporo Station, one in Odori Park, and one in Susukino. The photo above shows the Sapporo Station Front branch.
The interior is really unique. In addition to traditional tatami-style private rooms, there are also “cave” and “igloo” rooms with a distinct northern vibe. The igloo room is especially popular and often fully booked—if you’re lucky enough to find it available when you visit, grab it!
Let’s start with the star attraction: “Nomihoudai” – unlimited drinks!
For 990 yen (about 60 RMB), you get access to 20 types of sparkling wine, 46 cocktails, 13 yomi drinks (the shop’s original beauty drink made with yogurt, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and milk), 16 other beauty drinks, and 35 non-alcoholic beverages… totaling a whopping 130 options!!!
At 1590 yen (around 100 RMB), you won’t even have the energy to count them all… The highlight here is the inclusion of classic Sapporo draft beer, highballs (soda whiskey), Japanese sake, shochu, Hokkaido-limited shochu, rum, wine, and fruit liqueurs.
For 2090 yen (about 130 RMB), you can enjoy all 256 drink options, including Sapporo Beer’s premium brand Yebisu, local Hokkaido sake, and branded fruit liqueurs.
The drink menu spans a full 7 pages! The photo above shows the popular yomi drink among female customers—sweet, delicious, and good for your skin.If you can drink four or five rounds, getting the nomihoudai here is definitely worth it.Even if you only have one or two drinks, the à la carte prices are much cheaper than at other places!
Good drinks deserve great snacks—the bar’s izakaya-style appetizers are also top-notch.
まいど！の贅沢盛り合わせ（中）
Maido!’s Luxury Seafood Platter (Medium), 1990 yen
まいど！の海鲜ぶっかけネギトロタワー
Maido!’s Seafood & Scallion Tuna Tower, 990 yen
出来立て掬い豆富
Freshly scooped tofu, 590 yen – highly recommended!
おまかせ串8点盛り合わせ
Assorted Yakitori Set (8 skewers), 1590 yen
Even if you’re not here for drinks, the food alone is reason enough to visit. In addition to the items mentioned above, there’s also Wagyu steak, Mongolian barbecue, cheese chicken, and many other meat dishes, as well as a variety of sides like tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), butter potatoes, butter corn, and ramen salad. For mains and desserts, you’ll find sushi, onigiri (rice balls), seafood rice bowls, donburi (rice bowls), ochazuke (tea poured over rice), soba noodles, pizza, and a wide selection of parfaits and ice cream…
I think the chefs here must be all-rounders—or maybe there’s an entire kitchen staff. Add the bartenders and servers, and you might have enough for a whole platoon?
A wide selection, reasonable prices—that’s what makes this a hidden izakaya gem beloved by locals.
Charcoal-grilled seafood & handmade tofu – Maido!, Sapporo Ekimae Dori Branch (Sapporo Station Front)
Address:2-3-1-18 Katsura Building 2F, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Transportation:A 3-minute walk from Sapporo Station on the Namboku Subway Line
Business hours:17:00 to 1:00 AM
Drink service charge:450 yen (an additional 10% charged after 10:00 PM)
Payment:UnionPay accepted
Charcoal-grilled seafood and handmade bean dishes Maido!* Sapporo Minami-guchi Store (Sapporo Station South Exit)
Address:1-2-4 Kita 4-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, KitaKotoTrade Building 2F
Transportation:A 20-second walk from the JR Sapporo Station South Exit
Business hours:13:00 to 23:30
Drink service charge:450 yen (an additional 10% charged after 10:00 PM)
Payment:UnionPay accepted
Charcoal-grilled seafood and handmade bean dishes Maido!* Odori Minami 1-jo Store (Odori)
Address:B1F Ohtsuka Sapporo Building, 1-1-1 Nishi 1-jo Minami, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Transportation:A 1-minute walk from Odori Station on the Namboku Subway Line
Business hours:16:00 to 23:30
Drink service charge:450 yen (an additional 10% charged after 10:00 PM)
Payment:UnionPay accepted
Charcoal-grilled seafood and handmade tofu Maido Sapporo Susukino Shop (Susukino)
Address:1F B, Ivy Building, 5-6-5 Minami 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Transportation:3-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Namboku Subway Line
Business hours:17:00 to 3:00 AM
Drink service charge:450 yen (plus 10% surcharge after 10:00 PM)
Payment:UnionPay accepted