Sapporo BBQ Recommendation: NANKOU-en —— 30 years of stellar reputation, using only A4 and A5 wagyu...

No Japanese food guide is complete without melt-in-your-mouth"wagyu." No matter how many times you've been to Japan or which parts you've visited, chances are you’ve scheduled at least one wagyu barbecue, sukiyaki, or shabu-shabu meal just for that incredible tenderness.

What we’re about to recommend is a “powerhouse” local BBQ joint in Sapporo with an outstanding reputation and immense popularity built over 30 years: NANKOU-en. The wagyu they use is exclusively A4 and A5 grade, selected as the top 1 out of 50 — it’s like all the valedictorians from every class of an elite school have gathered here.

(Authentic BBQ  NANKOU-en  Minami 7-Jo Branch)

The interior features clean, tidy wooden decor that gives off a warm, nostalgic vibe.

(The shop before opening)

There are three counter seats, perfect for solo diners or couples (1–2 people), while on the other side, there are four standard Japanese family restaurant-style tables suitable for groups of family or friends (3–6 people). Just when you think the place is small and you’ll definitely have to wait if you come late, you’re led to the stairway and discover there’s a whole other level downstairs.

Sit down and check the menu first.

(There’s a multilingual menu, but even the Japanese one with pictures makes ordering easy)

Premium black wagyu!! Three types!!! All for just 4,600 yen!!!

Wait, what’s that huge steak-sized piece that’s practically the size of the plate????

Alright, both of these get a unanimous yes, and everyone orders a few more items too.

Here’s what arrives first:

(Three dipping sauces, including spicy — yay!)

(Cheers to delicious food!)

From here on, any detailed description of how good the wagyu tastes is redundant and might even invite envy. Watching your dining companions reach for their chopsticks, you’ll be tempted to just toss your camera aside...

This is the world-renowned, highest-quality black wagyu beef.

Thanks to the owner’s strong reputation and connections, not only can he consistently source top-tier wagyu, but he also keeps the prices surprisingly low, allowing everyone to enjoy wagyu to their heart’s content. Seriously, no other BBQ place would dare include such premium black wagyu pork belly in an all-you-can-eat set... And even à la carte, a single plate is just 980 yen (about 60 RMB) — mind blown?

A beautifully marbled, massive steak that looks even bigger than in the menu photo. When grilling, it takes up the entire grill plate.

(Angle made it look slimmer than it is!)

Once grilled, you can cut it with scissors into manageable sizes. Of course, if you’re eating alone or no one minds, you could even try finishing it in one bite.

Also, this shop started out specializing in offal BBQ, and their pork offal platter (miso, salt, and soy sauce flavors) is excellent and highly recommended. Other rare offerings include salted black wagyu premium beef tongue, lamb, and special selection black wagyu sukiyaki.

(Tax excluded — left: salted black wagyu premium beef tongue 1,350 yen; bottom right: special selection black wagyu sukiyaki 2,600 yen)

Of course, eat some veggies with your meat. You can order a lettuce wrap like in Korean BBQ, or get some kimchi for a flavor change.

Most people at a BBQ joint rarely order rice unless watching their budget. But following Japanese custom, you finish a meat meal with rice... so why not go local and try some donburi or bibimbap.

Wait, isn’t bibimbap Korean too? And this heavy-use-of-seasonings style isn’t very Japanese either...

Once you learn the owner is actually a Korean who’s lived in Japan for a long time, everything makes sense — the fusion of Korean-style BBQ seasoning with Japan’s top-grade ingredients has created NANKOU-en’s stellar 30-year reputation and immense popularity.

(Thanks, boss!)

NANKOU Garden (Authentic Yakiniku Nankou Garden) Minami 7-Jo Branch

Address:5-6-5 Minami 7-Jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Matsuya Building 1F

Transportation:6-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Namboku Subway Line

Business Hours:Evening service only; last orders accepted 30 minutes before closing

(Monday to Thursday) 17:30–01:30 (next day)

(Friday, Saturday, and the day before holidays) 17:30–03:00 (next day)

(Sunday, and holidays) 17:00–01:30 (next day)

Average Spending:3,500 JPY to 5,000 JPY; à la carte or set meals available (including all-you-can-eat options)

Payment:UnionPay, VISA, and MasterCard accepted