Ramen - Japanese Noodles the Hokkaido way
Japanese noodles, well actually, ramen originated from China but the Japanese have adopted it, added some extra features and made it their own.
I judge ramen by the size and quality of the charsui(roast pork) topping. Most places give you just a tiny slice which is very thin and usually dry having been sat out in a box all day......a BIG no no in my book.
And sweetcorn......forgedabowdit! That's for the tourists so you'll find a lot of Ramen Restaurants around the downtown areas of Sapporo like Odori and Sapporo Station where they serve sweetcorn in the ramen. For me, this is a sign to stay away. Also, it's best to avoid Ramen Alley in Susukino, definitely a tourist trap.
The best ramen restaurants that I have been to are usually out of the main areas and a little difficult to find, but it's definitely worth it. If you find a place where there is a big queue out the door and the waiting time is about 20 minutes, you've found a good one. If it's quiet and empty, there's a reason for that and your mind should be screaming "No, no, no!", no matter how hungry you are.
Here are the places where I have left most satisfied so far;
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Ramen Sakurajima
Sakurajima make their own noodles, roast their own pork and give you very generous chunks that are juicy, succulent and melt in the mouth. This is my 100% my favourite Ramen restaurant in Sapporo.
At lunch times there is always a huge queue going out the door and can be up to a 15 minute wait but people usually go their by themselves, so the turn over is pretty quick.
You will see a mean looking man with a bandanna and a silver mustache quietly kneading noodles in the kitchen. He's very friendly apparently.
This place is quite out of the way from Sapporo Station which is, sadly, why I don't go so often. But, if you make the trip out there, trust me, you won't regret it.
Address; 1-38 3-chome 4-jo Nishino-ku Sapporo-shi Tel; 011-667-1321 Opening hours;1200-1900, closed Mondays
It takes about 15 minutes on foot from JR Hassamuminami Station
Ramen Tetsuya
The soup is based on pork bone and is delicious. The pork is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside combining perfectly with the thick noodles. The owner Tetsuya Utsumi has six establishments in the city.
Address;2-19 W12 S7 Chuo-ku Sapporo-Shi Tel; 011-563-0005 Opening hours; 1100-200 closed Wednesdays
It takes approximately 7 minutes by foot from the Streetcar 6-jo Station.
Meijinbou's Japanese noodles
Alright, so I mentioned earlier that because there are so many ramen shops in the downtown area, namely Susukino, that it was hard to find a good place. Well, i have found one right in the heart of Susukino, not down Ramen Alley by the way.
Meijinbou serve my favourite kind of Japanese noodles; Kakuni (braised pork belly). Yum yum and yum!
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Great Ramen Restaurants in Sapporo
Click on the links below to see some great reviews about ramen restaurants in Sapporo. They were all written by other visitors to this page...
Toranoko in Maruyama 
This is the first ramen shop I went to in Sapporo due to it being right around from my house. The day we moved in we went for a walk around the neighbourhood …
Yamaokaya - The smelliest but most delicious ramen
Just as some of the dodgiest, most ghetto looking yakitori shops end up being the best yakitori shops, so it is for ramen shops! It can be a dingy little …
Ramen Sakurajima
Oh boy. Ramen at Sakurajima (桜島) in West ward (main branch)Sapporo, Japan is frigging awesome! I was first taken here by a friend when I first arrived …
Ramen Ajinokura
Ramen Ajinokura (味の蔵 is what you will see on the sign board as there is no English) is one of my favourite ramen shops in Sapporo. There are a few branches …
Ramen-Meijinbou
Meijinbou is an excellent ramen restaurant located in the heart of Susukino, the entertainment district. This place is famous for its kakuni ramen. Kakuni …
Ramen Sora 
I like ramen Sora. I've had it recommended by friends for ages. It is good and really easy to find (the main branch). It's right next to Tanukijoi 5. What …
Zero Ramen
Awesome ramen shop in the centre of town. Located in Tanukikoji 1 chome between Odori and Susukino. Get the special miso as it comes with a huge piece …
Ramen Santouka
Ramen Santouka originates from Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan and have branches all over the world.
As it's from Asahikawa, the shouyu (soya sauce) flavour …
Ramen Sumire
Ramen Sumire is popular among the locals and one of the best ramen shops in Nakanoshima (so my friend tells me). I should really write about ramen shops …
Araton Noodle Restaurant
I went to this noodle place that serves soba and ramen because every time I went past it, it was packed with people and always had a huge line outside. …
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