Hi Hokkaido travelers,

Have you ever wished you could teleport to your hometown just to enjoy a favorite dish? It’s ME right now.

Living in Switzerland, far, far away from my hometown in Eastern Hokkaido, I’ve been missing my favorite local dishes. So I couldn’t help sharing with you what I’ve been craving lately🤤 Here are some local foods that I can’t wait to have again!

1. Butadon - grilled pork rice bowl in Obihiro

Obihiro is renowned for its Butadon, a dish of charcoal-grilled pork slices seasoned with a savory soy sauce-based sauce that has a hint of sweetness. The pork is cooked to perfection, allowing its savory flavor to go well with the rice.

2. Shoyu ramen in Kushiro

If you are around Kushiro, get a bowl or two of Kushiro ramen. Kushiro shoyu (soy sauce) ramen is made with pure, simple ingredients and no preservatives or additives. Kushiro ramen is all about keeping it simple: a light soy sauce soup and thin, wavy noodles. The mild flavor and high-quality ingredients make it hard to get tired of.

You are a ramen lover? Check out my Hokkaido ramen guide.

3. Yakiniku in Kitami

If you’re a fan of yakiniku (Japanese BBQ), you have to check out my hometown, Kitami. We’ve got the most yakiniku restaurants per capita in Hokkaido - 60 places in town! We’re seriously proud of our yakiniku culture.

What sets Kitami yakiniku apart is that we use charcoal grills and flavor our sauces with fresh fruits and onions. We eat lots of internal organs as well.

Want some restaurant recommendations? Here you go.

4. Shio Yakisoba in Kitami

Shio Yakisoba is another specialty in Kitami that is popular among locals. It’s fried egg noodles seasoned with salt-based sauce, using local ingredients. There are 8 criteria to be qualified as Kitami Shio Yakisoba, including;

• Use egg noodles made with Hokkaido-made flour
• Use scallops from the Okhotsk region and Kitami onions
• Seasoned in a salt flavor, instead of traditional yakisoba sauce
• Served on an iron plate

5. Sea urchin in Shiretoko

Sea urchin, also known as “uni,” is a beloved seafood in Hokkaido. With its creamy, rich, and slightly sweet flavor, it’s no wonder why it’s so popular! If you’re looking to try some, head to Eastern Hokkaido between January and June for the best time to enjoy it.

For the freshest uni in Hokkaido, Shiretoko is the place to go. Rusu and Utoro, the two port towns on the Shiretoko Peninsula, are famous for their high-quality uni, known for its deep umami flavor and melty texture.

😋Are you still hungry? I have 5 more recommendations on this full blog spot.

Happy travel planning!

Best,
Yuuka