What is Hokkaido's Seafood Bowl?
Hokkaido is one of Japan's top treasure troves of seafood, and seafood bowls topped generously with fresh uni, ikura, crab, scallops, and salmon are extremely popular with tourists.
At markets and specialty shops throughout Hokkaido, you can savor exquisite seafood bowls made with fresh ingredients caught that very morning.
As a "local gourmet you must try at least once" on your Hokkaido trip, let us introduce famous seafood bowl restaurants that attract many tourists!
The Appeal of Hokkaido's Seafood Bowls
1. Plenty of Fresh Seafood!
Hokkaido's seafood bowls are characterized by generous servings of fresh seafood caught that morning.
Compared to seafood bowls you might eat in cities like Tokyo, they are overwhelmingly superior in terms of freshness, volume, and price.
2. A Variety of Local Specialties
In Hokkaido, there are seafood bowls with distinct characteristics unique to each area.
- Sapporo: "Salmon and Ikura Bowl" or "Luxury Three-Color Bowl"
- Otaru: "Uni, Crab, and Scallop Bowl"
- Hakodate: "Live Squid Bowl"
- Kushiro & Nemuro: "Hanazakigani Bowl" and "Shima Ebi Bowl"
3. Enjoy Seasonal Flavors
With Hokkaido's seafood bowls, you can enjoy different flavors depending on the season, as the best ingredients change throughout the year.
- Spring (March to May): Scallops and Sweet Shrimp
- Summer (June to August): Uni, Salmon, and Squid
- Autumn (September to November): Ikura, Crab, and Autumn Salmon
- Winter (December to February): Snow Crab, King Crab, and Hokke
Recommended Seafood Bowl Shops in Hokkaido
1. Sapporo Area
Nijo Market "Oiso"
- Features: A popular shop located in Sapporo's famous "Nijo Market".
- Recommended Menu: "Three-Color Bowl" (Uni, Ikura, Crab).
- Access: 15 minutes on foot from Sapporo Station.
Kaisen-dokoro Kita no Gourmet-tei
- Features: A long-established seafood restaurant popular with tourists.
- Recommended Menu: "Hokkai Bowl" (Uni, Scallop, Salmon, Crab).
- Access: 10 minutes by car from Sapporo Station (free shuttle available).
2. Otaru Area
Seafood Bowl Shop "Otaru Tatsu Sushi"
- Features: Exceptional seafood bowls served at a sushi restaurant along the Otaru Canal.
- Recommended Menu: "Special Uni Bowl" (plentiful fresh uni).
- Access: 10 minutes on foot from Otaru Station.
Otaru Sankaku Market "Takinami Shokudo"
- Features: A market dining hall visited by both tourists and locals.
- Recommended Menu: "Overflowing Ikura Bowl" (a dish brimming with ikura).
- Access: 5 minutes on foot from Otaru Station.
3. Hakodate Area
Hakodate Morning Market "Kikuyo Shokudo"
- Features: A classic popular shop in Hakodate Morning Market.
- Recommended Menu: "Hakodate Specialty Squid Sashimi Bowl".
- Access: 3 minutes on foot from Hakodate Station.
Uni Murakami Hakodate Main Store
- Features: A specialized shop where you can enjoy fresh uni bowls in Hakodate, the home of uni.
- Recommended Menu: "Additive-Free Uni Bowl" (fresh uni without additives).
- Access: 5 minutes on foot from Hakodate Station.
Tips for Enjoying Seafood Bowls
1. Go Early in the Morning for the Freshest Ingredients!
At Hokkaido's seafood markets, the best time to enjoy the freshest seafood is between 8 AM and 11 AM.
Popular shops tend to have queues in the morning, so it's recommended to visit as early as possible.
2. Enjoy with Hokkaido's Unique Soy Sauce and Wasabi
- Kombu Dashi Soy Sauce (soy sauce with the umami of Hokkaido kombu)
- Mountain Wasabi (a spicy wasabi unique to Hokkaido)
- Special Sauces (each shop has its original sweet or spicy sauces)
3. Some Shops Let You Choose the Type of Rice!
In some shops, you can choose from various "types of rice" such as:
- Plain White Rice (for those who want a simple taste)
- Vinegared Rice (for those who want a sushi-like flavor)
- Warm or Cold Rice (choose according to your preference)
Useful Information for Travelers
Estimated Opening Hours
- Morning Market Shops: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Seafood Bowl Specialty Shops in Tourist Areas: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Estimated Budget
- Affordable Seafood Bowls: 1,500 yen to 2,500 yen
- Luxurious Special Seafood Bowls: 3,000 yen to 8,000 yen
Recommended Seafood Souvenirs
- Frozen Uni and Ikura Packs (available at New Chitose Airport and markets)
- Hokkaido Kombu Dashi Soy Sauce (to recreate seafood bowls at home)
Wi-Fi Information
- Free Wi-Fi is available at markets and major tourist areas in Sapporo and Hakodate.
- Some restaurants also offer Wi-Fi.
Language Support
- Many popular shops in Sapporo, Hakodate, and Otaru provide English and Chinese menus.
- Some shops have staff who speak English.
Summary and Frequently Asked Questions
Hokkaido's seafood bowls are luxurious local gourmet dishes topped with plenty of fresh seafood.
At markets and specialty shops, you can enjoy the best ingredients of the day, making it a must-try dish during your trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which area has the best seafood bowls?
A: In Sapporo, "Nijo Market" is recommended; in Hakodate, "Hakodate Morning Market"; and in Otaru, "Sankaku Market" is particularly recommended.
Q: How can I enjoy seafood bowls affordably?
A: Visiting right after the morning markets open often allows you to enjoy fresh ingredients at a reasonable price.
As a memorable part of your Hokkaido trip, be sure to try the exquisite seafood bowls!
