Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan and is known for its delicious seafood and agricultural products. According to Food in Japan, some popular local dishes from Hokkaido include Uni don (a rice bowl topped with sea urchin), Ikameshi (squid stuffed with glutinous rice), Sapporo Ramen, and Jingisukan (grilled sheep meat in an iron pan).
Uni don is a traditional Japanese food in Hokkaido which consists of a bowl of rice topped with sea urchin. It is a popular local dish from Hokkaido prefecture selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries as one of the “100 Best Local Dishes in Agriculture, Mountains, and Fishing Villages”. Usually, locals use raw sea urchin and besides sea urchin, they eat it only by sprinkling wasabi and soy sauce to enjoy the flavor and taste of sea urchin itself. Sometimes they also use salted sea urchins as the main ingredient.
Ikameshi is another popular dish from Hokkaido. It is made by stuffing squid with glutinous rice that has been simmered in soy sauce. The origin of Ikameshi is said to be from either Mori Station of the Hakodate Main Line or Oshima Region. During World War II, Ikameshi was first served as an Ekiben (train station bento) back in 1941 at Mori Station. At this time, locals were thinking of ways to conserve rice due to a rice shortage. They thought that if they stuff rice inside the squid, they can somehow save rice.
Sapporo Ramen is a famous dish from the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido. It is known for its rich miso-based broth and thick curly noodles. There are many ramen shops in Sapporo where you can try this delicious dish.
Jingisukan is a grilled mutton dish that originated in Hokkaido. It is named after Genghis Khan, who is said to have grilled mutton on his shield. The dish is cooked on a convex metal skillet or grill and is often served with vegetables.
These are just some of the delicious dishes that you can try when visiting Hokkaido. The island has a rich food culture and there are many more local specialties to discover.
