Miso × Salt × Soy Sauce: The Ultimate Battle of Hokkaido’s Top 3 Ramen Styles
Last updated 2026-09-26 — If you’re a fan of Japanese ramen and happen to be planning a trip to Hokkaido, then you’re in luck ! In this island known as the birthplace of Japanese ramen, Sapporo is famous for its miso ramen, Hakodate for its salt ramen, and Asahikawa for its...
By MOOK Travel & Living Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
If you’re a fan of Japanese ramen and happen to be planning a trip to Hokkaido, then you’re in luck ! In this island known as the birthplace of Japanese ramen, Sapporo is famous for its miso ramen, Hakodate for its salt ramen, and Asahikawa for its soy sauce ramen—each with its own unique strengths. It might not be easy to conquer all of Hokkaido’s famous ramen shops in one go, but having one bowl of each of the three major styles should be totally doable ! Come explore what makes these three ramen flavors special, then head straight to the recommended shops for a delicious feast !
Coming to Hokkaido, known as the birthplace of Japanese ramen, without trying one bowl of each of the three representative flavors would be a real regret ! (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Rich and Fragrant Ultimate Deliciousness — Sapporo Miso Ramen
Although there’s some debate over who the original shop was, miso ramen definitely originated in Sapporo. Legend has it that it was first created by chance at a small ramen stall when a customer casually asked, “Why not add miso soup to the ramen broth?” And so, even though Sapporo is most famous for its miso ramen, almost all ramen shops still offer other types as well. Some shops, regardless of Sapporo’s “trend” for miso flavor, do brisk business with their salt or soy sauce ramen.
Miso ramen is usually made with a pork or chicken bone base, along with various secret recipes including local vegetables, and is simmered for over ten hours. The result is a rich, slightly salty flavor with a fragrant miso aroma and a multi-layered, thick broth texture. That first sip of the hot, aromatic soup often feels incredibly comforting.
Ramen Shops to Try for Miso Ramen
1. Junren
Junren, which has been in business since 1964 (Showa 39), shares the same roots as another legendary Sapporo miso ramen shop, “Sumire.” It’s the only branch in Hokkaido, so even though it’s located in the slightly off-the-beaten-path area of Shiroishi, you’ll still have to queue up for a taste. Junren stays true to the flavors passed down from the previous generation, using a pork bone base and slow-simmering premium dried sardines, shiitake mushrooms, kelp, and vegetables to create a rich and flavorful miso broth. The taste is complex and thick, leaving a lingering aftertaste—a true taste of authentic Sapporo miso ramen.
【Info】
Address: 1-41, 17-chome, 2-jo, Hiragishi, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
Phone: 011-842-2844
2. Ramen Keyaki / Nitori no Keyaki
A very popular ramen shop in Sapporo. Its miso broth, simmered for 12 hours with chicken bones and vegetables, has a thick, fragrant texture. Paired with expertly aged noodles, house-made chashu, and a colorful assortment of toppings like green onions, cabbage leaves, and carrots, it offers a full sensory ramen experience. Be prepared to wait in line at its Susukino main branch !
【Info】
Address: 1F Mutsu Building, 3-chome, Nishi 6-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Phone: 011-552-4601
The thick, rich broth is one of the defining features of Sapporo miso ramen. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Light and Simple Is the Way to Go — Hakodate Salt Ramen
Hakodate’s salt ramen is said to be the origin of Japanese ramen. About 150 years ago, it arrived here along with foreigners during the port opening. As such, you can see the prototype of Japanese ramen in Hakodate: a simple Chinese-style noodle dish.
There are a few interesting things about Hakodate ramen. First, it’s mostly based on pork bone broth—how the rich, milky Kyushu pork bone ramen manages to stay light and simple here is quite a mystery. Second, Hakodate ramen—especially at the more famous shops—retains the original simple characteristics of Hakodate ramen. Toppings are usually just finely chopped green onions, homemade bamboo shoots, and two slices of chashu, which is quite different from the usual ramen loaded with bean sprouts and half-boiled eggs. The simpler it is, the more you can appreciate the rare charm of Hakodate ramen’s refreshing broth, which is quite uncommon in Japan.
Ramen Shops to Try for Salt Ramen
Ajisai Red Shop
Hakodate is home to many famous salt ramen shops, and Ajisai—with branches in both Sapporo and Hakodate—is one of them. The Ajisai branch in Hakodate Bay Gourmet Club features a bright, modern interior with a color scheme of red, black, and wood. Their signature salt ramen comes in a generous bowl, with a clear broth made from pork and chicken bones that’s refreshing yet distinctly sweet. Paired with thick chashu, green and white onions, and perfectly cooked noodles, it’s a bit on the salty side by the end, but still qualifies as an exquisite, refreshing, and flavorful dish.
【Info】
Address: Hakodate Bay Gourmet Club P6, 12-7, Ebetsu-cho, Hakodate City
Phone: 0138-26-1122
Light, simple—that’s the essence of authentic Hakodate salt ramen ! (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
An innovative pork bone + seafood broth — Asahikawa Soy Sauce Ramen
Most Asahikawa ramen broths are based on pork bone, with added ingredients like kelp and small fish, breaking the usual distinction between animal-based and seafood-based broths, and achieving a rich and delicious flavor through long simmering.
Two other key features of Asahikawa ramen: first, due to the harsh cold climate, a special formula was invented here that prevents oil from floating even at minus 30 degrees, and the noodles also contain more oil to help the broth retain its heat. Second, the noodles used here are “shōkasen” (少加水), which literally means “less water added.” As the name suggests, these slightly curved noodles are made with less water during production, allowing them to absorb more broth than regular ramen noodles.
Recommended soy sauce ramen shops
1. Asahikawa Ramen Aoba
Aoba Ramen is also a long-established, well-known shop in Asahikawa, especially proud of its soy sauce broth recipe that has remained unchanged for over 60 years. The broth, slow-cooked with pork bone, chicken breast bone, Rishiri kelp, and various vegetables, contains no chemical seasonings, yet achieves an incredibly rich yet light and refreshing taste, perfectly paired with specially customized noodles.
【info】
Address: 2-chome Building Nobori Street, 8-chome, 2-chome, Asahikawa City
Phone: 0166-23-2820
2. Asahikawa Ramen Hachiya
Hachiya, a long-established Asahikawa ramen shop with over 60 years of history, gained fame for its unique broth simmered slowly with pork bone and horse mackerel by its first-generation owner, breaking the “factional rivalry” in the ramen broth world between the “seafood-based” and “animal-based” camps. Its signature soy sauce ramen may seem rich in flavor, but it is not greasy, and the broth has a unique smoky aroma toward the end. The noodles are fine and firm shōkasen, which better absorb the delicious flavors of the broth.
【info】
Address: Right 6, 7-chome, Gojo-dori, Asahikawa City
Phone: 0166-22-3343
● Read more: The most beautiful summer ever – Must-experience flower viewing in Hokkaido this summer
http://goo.gl/zidaS
The “Asahikawa Soy Sauce Ramen,” which broke the factional divide in Japan’s ramen broth scene, created an innovative flavor by combining characteristics of both the pork bone and seafood-based styles. (Photo provided by MK Editorial Department)
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