First Dinner in Sapporo - Ramen in Ramen Alley (Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho)

For any ramen lover, a visit to Sapporo would be incomplete without stopping at Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho (Original Sapporo Ramen Alley). Naturally, we made our way there for our very first dinner in Sapporo on 11 July.

Located in the vibrant Susukino entertainment district, Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho is one of Sapporo's most famous culinary landmarks. This narrow alley, measuring only about 40m in length, has been serving authentic Sapporo ramen since 1951. Despite its modest size, it is home to around 17 independently operated ramen shops, each with its own unique recipe and distinctive flavour.

The alley is widely regarded as the birthplace of Sapporo's famous miso ramen. While miso remains the signature style, every shop prepares its broth differently, blending ingredients such as pork bones, chicken, seafood and vegetables to create its own unique taste. The ramen is typically served with Sapporo's characteristic curly yellow noodles and topped with butter, sweet Hokkaido corn, braised pork, bamboo shoots, spring onions and soft-boiled eggs. These ingredients showcase Hokkaido's rich agricultural produce and contribute to the hearty, comforting flavour for which Sapporo ramen is renowned.

Dining at Ramen Alley is as much about the experience as the food. Most restaurants are compact, seating fewer than 15 customers, allowing diners to watch the chefs prepare each bowl right before their eyes. Queuing outside the more popular shops is a common sight, with both locals and tourists patiently waiting for their turn. More than just a collection of eateries, Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho embodies Sapporo's enduring ramen culture and remains one of the best places to experience an authentic taste of Hokkaido.

After walking the length of the alley and peeking into several restaurants, we eventually settled on Banraiken Second Stage (Nidaime Banraiken) (二代目 萬來軒). There was no particular reason for choosing this shop - it simply happened to be the only one with available seats at that moment. As luck would have it, we became the first customers to walk in without having to queue, a pleasant surprise in a place where waiting in line is usually part of the dining experience.

Like the other ramen shops in the alley, Banraiken is small and intimate, with fewer than 15 counter seats where diners can watch the chefs prepare every bowl with care. Established during the early years of the famous ramen alley, the restaurant has built a strong reputation for its distinctive triple broth, which combines rich pork-bone, clear chicken and seafood stocks. The result is a deeply savoury soup that is full of flavour yet surprisingly well balanced and not overly heavy. Paired with Sapporo's signature curly yellow noodles, the ramen is hearty, satisfying and a fitting introduction to the city's celebrated ramen tradition.