By Paul McInnes
In the last part of Hokkaido’s Food Culture, let’s discover more must-eats. One very obvious the other, often referred to as Hokkaido’s “soul food” might surprise you a little. But this soupy goodness is very hard to resist, especially on a cold winter day.
Soup Curry
Japanese love curry. Japanese curry, curry katsu, Indian curry and kare pan (curry paste inside bread). It’s one of Japan’s foodie obsessions.
Hokkaido, always an area to actively distinguish itself from the mainland, turned traditional Japanese curry and made it their own with the soup curry variant which can be found across Hokkaido and Hokkaido-themed restaurants in Tokyo and Osaka.
Hokkaido soup curry is basically traditional Japanese curry with a soup broth. Again, it’s the perfect dish for the harsh winter conditions on Japan’s northern territory. Warming and filling it’s become a firm favorite of locals and tourists who have been transfixed by this soupy goodness.
Seafood
Hokkaido seafood is revered throughout Japan. Fresh from the sea and straight on the millions of plates around the country it has a truly god like reputation within foodie circles.
You name it, if it comes from the sea then Hokkaido puts it on the menu. The crab, lobster, scallops, squid and sea urchin are superb and gobbled up daily throughout the prefecture and beyond. Try some fresh seafood at one of the island’s numerous fish markets. Kaisen-don is a favourite with locals – ostensibly it’s a huge mound of fresh seafood placed on top of a large plate of rice.
It’s the freshness and emphasis on quality which separates Hokkaido seafood from other places in Japan. The crab here is also revered. There are mainly three kinds of crab sold here. The king, snow and hairy varieties are eaten here by the ton every day at the island’s plethora of high-end crab restaurants and even all-you-can-eat crab eateries which is easier on the bank balance. For the more adventurous eaters out there try the crab miso (crab brain) which is considered a delicacy in Japan. It sounds weird but it’s pleasantly surprising.
Last thoughts..
Hokkaido, then, is a foodie’s paradise.
With a real and unabashed focus on freshness and quality, visitors here can experience a kind of cuisine and food culture which is completely distinct from other parts of Japan. The locals take food very seriously and are, understandably, very proud of their culinary heritage. So indulge yourself in what Hokkaido has to offer from the ramen and dairy to the lamb and seafood.
You won’t forget Hokkaido and the food and experiences you have here will last for years to come, until your next much-anticipated visit.
