It’s currently snowing beautifully in Japan right now, what a big difference to what we’re experiencing here in Sydney! An annual tradition in February is the Sapporo Snow Festival (running until February 18 this year). It features magnificent snow sculptures all around Odori park, and of course as with any festival, there’s lots of food too!
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido Prefecture, and it’s also the fifth largest city in Japan, so you can expect to find some pretty amazing food there. You may have heard of Sapporo beer and Sapporo ramen. Sapporo beer is a popular drink that you can find pretty easily here in Australia but for the die hard brew fans, you should check out the Sapporo Bier Garten.
Most of your favourite Sydney ramen joints have Sapporo style ramen, too. Miso based broth is the defining feature of Sapporo ramen, next time you go out to eat why not try some? Our newest partnered restaurant Yasaka Ramen has a great tonkotsu miso broth that you can get with several different toppings, why not give it a go? Typically, ramen in Sapporo comes topped with fried vegetables.
Photo: from Yasaka’s Facebook page
Hokkaido is famous for seafood, particularly snow crab, king crab, and sushi/sashimi. If you love okonomiyaki, then there’s a Hokkaido style just waiting for you to try it. This isn’t the only street food you’ll find, especially if you go to the Snow Festival where there are dozens of food stalls. Sample a bit of everything for dinner, when it gets dark a lights display comes on until 10PM and the ice sculptures and snow displays illuminate beautifully.
Kani-Honke is an internationally famous crab restaurant, if you’re in Sapporo checking out the festival then put this place on your to-do list!
WashokuLovers
