Hokkaido is known for its many local delicacies that make generous use of fresh seafood and the bounty of the land.

Among them, Sapporo soup curry is a dish that enjoys enduring popularity, especially in Sapporo.

The spicy soup is topped with deep-fried vegetables and chicken, and is a Sapporo specialty beloved by tourists from both inside and outside Hokkaido.

In this article, we will answer the question, "Why is soup curry popular in Hokkaido?" and introduce the history and characteristics of Sapporo soup curry, as well as tourist spots in Sapporo.

Why is soup curry so popular in Hokkaido?

Sapporo soup curry is said to have originated from the "Yakuzen Curry" which was sold by the Sapporo coffee shop "Ajanta" in the 1970s and was a combination of Chinese herbal medicine soup and Indian spice cuisine.

Originally, it was sold as just the soup with no ingredients.

Later, at customer request, the restaurant began adding chicken and vegetables that were used as soup stock, which led to a boom in the 1990s and 2000s.

This new style of curry is not the thick roux that Japanese people imagine when they hear the word curry, but instead has a rich soup base with plenty of ingredients.

Its spicy and unique flavor became a hot topic, and it quickly spread beyond Hokkaido and across the country.

Characteristics of Sapporo soup curry

Sapporo soup curry is characterized by its thin, runny soup and unique ingredients.

The soup is made with a base of tomatoes and vegetables, blended with multiple spices. It is rich and spicy, yet easy to drink and warms the body!
Warming up with a hearty bowl of soup is very welcome in cold Hokkaido.

Another key point about soup curry is that it is served with a generous amount of ingredients, making it visually appealing.
It may contain vegetables, meat (chicken, beef, pork, etc.), seafood, eggs, etc., and these ingredients mix well with the soup, making it very satisfying to eat.

Soup curry is also served differently from regular curry.

Instead of pouring the roux over rice like curry rice, the rice and soup are served separately.

It is common to put rice on a spoon and dip it in the soup before eating. However, there are no strict rules, so you can eat it however you like. When there is only a little left, it is also nice to put rice in the soup and enjoy the soup until the last drop.

Furthermore, many soup curry restaurants allow you to customize the spiciness and types of ingredients, so you can choose the level of spiciness and add your favorite ingredients.

If you can handle spicy food, then try the super spicy option and let it warm you up from the inside out!

The development of Sapporo soup curry

There are many factors that caused Sapporo soup curry to become a nationwide hit, but it is believed that the boom was also boosted by the fact that the famous soup curry restaurant Magic Spice opened a store at the Yokohama Curry Museum in Kanagawa Prefecture, and the activities of actor Yo Oizumi, who is a self-proclaimed soup curry fan.

Currently, there are over 200 soup curry specialty restaurants in Sapporo, and it has become firmly established as one of the city's standard gourmet dishes.

Each store has its own unique style, and has evolved its own way, such as using tomatoes and coconut milk as the soup base. Recently, there has also been a wide variety of variations, such as vegan soup curry and those using health-conscious ingredients.

Through its evolution and diversification, soup curry has established a firm position as a "Sapporo gourmet dish."

Tourist spots in Sapporo

When you visit Sapporo, you'll want to enjoy not only soup curry but also sightseeing. Here we'll introduce three sightseeing spots in the city.

Odori Park, famous for the Sapporo Snow Festival

Odori Park is a lush urban park stretching for about 1.5 km, where you can enjoy the changing scenery of the four seasons.

In particular, the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter is world famous, and the sight of giant snow and ice sculptures lined up is a highlight. In summer, beer gardens are held and bustling with locals and tourists. Take a stroll through Odori Park and experience the natural beauty of Sapporo.

Additionally, the Odori Underground Mall "Aurora Town" is a great spot for shopping, dining and drinking.

Sapporo's symbol: the Sapporo Clock Tower

The Sapporo Clock Tower is a historic structure built in 1878 and is a tourist attraction that symbolizes Hokkaido's pioneering history.

Its official name is the "Former Sapporo Agricultural College Drill Hall" and it was built as a facility for Sapporo Agricultural College, the predecessor of Hokkaido University.

As the oldest working clock tower in Japan, its historical value is extremely high, making it a must-see spot in Sapporo. The inside of the clock tower is a museum, and there are plenty of exhibits and materials that allow you to learn about the history of Sapporo.

Mt. Moiwa: A place to enjoy the night view

Mount Moiwa, located almost in the center of Sapporo, is a popular observation spot where you can get a panoramic view of the city.

You can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of not only Sapporo city, but also Ishikari Bay on the Sea of Japan and Mashike-Sokanbetsu-dake.

You can take a ropeway to the top of the mountain, and the night view is particularly beautiful, which has led to it being selected as one of the "New Top Three Night Views of Japan." You can also enjoy hiking during the day, so it's a recommended spot for those who want to get in touch with nature.

Location of Sapporo, Hokkaido

summary

This time, we will focus on the characteristics and history of Sapporo soup curry, a B-class gourmet food in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Soup curry is a dish that has brought a breath of fresh air to the Japanese curry scene, and its deliciousness and unique style are now recognized by people all over Japan.

If you have the opportunity to visit Sapporo, be sure to try Sapporo soup curry, packed with the delicious flavors of Hokkaido.

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