A BIG bowl of steaming hot ramen is the perfect answer to Hokkaido’s cold, cold winters. And it’s no surprise that the snowy northern island of Japan is famous for its ramen.
Ramen is Chinese noodles, Japanese-style. It originated in China and is widely used in Chinese cuisine, although it’s a relative newcomer to Japan. It’s basically noodles, toppings and a super-flavoursome soup. The ‘Axis of Ramen’ is down in Kutchan town, where there are probably a dozen places you can get your ramen fix. But there are also plenty of options to try around the ski resorts. Powderlife’s team of ramen-lovers have been busy the past few weeks testing ramen restaurants across Niseko, and here are what we think are five of the best. Grab your spoon in one hand, chopsticks in the other and… itadakimasu!
1 Aji no Tokeidai
Do yourself a favour, before you go shopping at Max Value in Kutchan, first pop into the No. 1 ramen restaurant in town at the opposite corner of the car park. Aji no Tokeidai is a huge Hokkaido ramen chain, and while most chains worldwide are renowned for being fast and cheap, in typical Japanese fashion this one’s an exception to the rule. Here you’ll get great food, quickly! If you’re hungry, try saying in Japanese ‘chashu’, which means ‘five slices of meat on top’; ‘omori’ translates to ‘extra noodles’. We recommend the miso ramen, and for chilli lovers try the spicy red ramen. Don’t they always say you shouldn’t shop on an empty stomach?!
South 11 West 1, Kutchan / 0136 23 2423 / 11am-11pm / last order 11pm
2 Asahikawa Ramen
As the city of Asahikawa is in the heart of Hokkaido, Asahikawa Ramen is in the heart of Hirafu. Asahikawa as a city is well-known for its ramen dishes, and it’s also the Asahikawa Ramen head chef’s hometown. Need we say more? Out the front of the restaurant, a board confesses: “Our English is not good, but our food is deliciou (sic).” After many visits to Asahikawa Ramen, we can attest to that statement.
Berg Plaza, Hirafu-Zaka St / 0136 23 4549 / 10.30am-11.30pm
3 Ramen on the mountain
You don’t even need to leave the mountain to find a steaming ramen in Niseko. At Hanazono try the famous crab ramen in the 308 restaurant (make it snappy!). Cross the road at the foot of Hirafu’s Ace Quad lift to the restuarant at Popolo onsen. After shredding the Annupuri bowls, ski on into Hao Hao ramen izakaya in The Nook Annupuri restaurant, on the right as you ski down to the gondola. At Higashiyama try cozy little slope-side restaurant Sanroku.
Mt Annupuri / No need to call / When ski hunger strikes
4 Mount Ramen
On Route 5 in Kutchan (just a snowball’s throw from our No.1 choice, Aji no Tokeidai), Mount Ramen makes a hearty ramen. So much so that they say in their advertisment: “Our selling point is taste. If we’re sold out, sorry!” You have to admire their honesty, and they also say in their ad: “There is a chance we may close before 8pm if the last drop of soup is gone.” If it’s necessary to warn diners about the possibility of running out of ramen, it’s just gotta be good!
South 10 West 1, Kutchan / 0136 23 3444 / 11am-2pm (lunch) 5pm-8pm (dinner)
5 Sanpachi Ramen
Another one in the ‘Axis of Ramen’, on Route 5 Kutchan, Sanpachi is again a popular chain restaurant serving up a delicious take on Hokkaido’s traditional soup, noodle, meat and vegetable dish. If you’re feeling famished after a big day skiing or boarding the mountain, see if you can finish the ‘Mega Ramen’, which boasts three times the noodles and twice the soup, vegies and pork. We dare you! If you can fit it in, they also give you a free ice cream when you leave :)
South 8 West 1, Kutchan / 0136 22 2238 / 11am-12pm