北海道ならではの食べ物といえば？
Sushi 寿司
The representative dish using fresh seafood is undoubtedly sushi. Sushi in Hokkaido, made with raw ingredients that are not cooked or vinegared, is also known as "Ezomae-zushi 蝦夷前寿司." In Hokkaido, there are many sushi restaurants ranging from high-end establishments to conveyor belt sushi places. Among them, Otaru is known as the "Sushi Town," with a street lined with sushi restaurants called "Sushiya-dori" in the city.
Ramen ラーメン
When it comes to the three major ramen styles in Hokkaido, they are Sapporo's "Miso Ramen," Hakodate's "Shio Ramen," and Asahikawa's "Shoyu Ramen." In addition to these, various local ramen styles that match the regional culture can be enjoyed in different parts of Hokkaido, including Kushiro, Furano, Wakkanai, and Obihiro.
Seafood
Hokkaido is famous for its fresh seafood. Surrounded by three seas—the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Okhotsk—Hokkaido boasts rich fishing grounds. The variety of seafood caught in Hokkaido is abundant, including scallops, salmon, squid, octopus, saffron cod, crab, sea urchin, kelp, and various other marine products, which are shipped to both domestic and international markets. In Hokkaido, there are markets in multiple areas such as Sapporo, Hakodate, Otaru, and Kushiro. You can purchase exceptionally fresh seafood at these markets or enjoy them at nearby restaurants. Additionally, there are numerous local dishes using seafood, such as Ikameshi いかめし(squid-stuffed rice), Matsumaezuke 松前漬け (Pickled seafood with soy sauce), Teppo-jiru 鉄砲汁 (Miso soup with crabs), and Ishikari-nabe (Salmon hot pot), so why not savor them on-site?
Genghis Khan (Jingisukan) ジンギスカン
Genghis Khan is a dish where lamb and vegetables are grilled in a specialized Genghis Khan pot with a raised center. There are two types: one where the meat is marinated in sauce beforehand and another where the meat is grilled and then dipped in sauce before eating. The flavor of the grilled meat in the center permeates the vegetables, and you can enjoy both the meat and vegetables abundantly.
Zangi ザンギ
Zangi refers to the Hokkaido-style deep-fried chicken, which has gained nationwide recognition due to the recent popularity of deep-fried dishes. The distinctive feature is marinating the chicken in a rich and sweet-savory sauce seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other ingredients before frying. Some variations involve dipping the fried chicken in the sauce after cooking. Since each establishment has its own unique touch, it's recommended to try different places and compare the flavors.
Butadon 豚丼
Butadon is a local dish said to have originated in the Tokachi region, particularly in Obihiro City, where pig farming is thriving. It is a hearty and voluminous rice bowl featuring thick slices of pork grilled and coated in a sweet and salty soy-based sauce. The dish is topped with white leeks as a basic garnish, allowing you to savor the deliciousness of the pork directly.
Beef
Hokkaido is a thriving region for livestock, with approximately 510,000 head of cattle, accounting for 20% of the total national population. Hokkaido-produced Japanese beef is known as "Hokkaido Wagyu." It features a smooth texture, with intricate marbling and a characteristic frostiness, offering a tender and delicious beef with rich sweetness and flavor. Moreover, distinctive brand beef is produced in almost every area of the region. Enjoying beef dishes at restaurants directly operated by ranches adds to the unique pleasure of the local experience. In the 2008 Lake Toya Summit banquet, Shiraoi beef 白老牛was served and received high praise from VIPs from various countries.
Soup Curry
Soup Curry is a local gourmet dish that originated in Sapporo in the 1990s. It has become widely known nationally, so much so that it is considered a flagship specialty of Sapporo. The dish is characterized by a light, curry-flavored soup and large, chunky ingredients such as chicken legs and local vegetables. The combination of the flavorful soup with spices and the richness of the ingredients creates a distinctive and addictive taste. The soup base can vary, including options like pork bone, seafood, and tomato, and different restaurants offer unique ingredients such as braised pork and seafood.
These are examples of characteristic foods in Hokkaido, but there are regions within Hokkaido where they refer to "pork" as "yakitori" (grilled chicken), and there are dishes that are hard to imagine from the menu. Since the meanings of words are different, those who order the dish may be confused when pork comes out, thinking, "I ordered yakitori, so why is it pork?" Without complaining, please embrace the diversity of Hokkaido, enjoy its regional uniqueness, and appreciate the wide range of experiences it offers.
H. Koshika
Apro Travel Japan
Email info@aprotraveljapan.com
We are a registered land operator based in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
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