Shirakaba Sansou Ramen (白樺山荘), Sapporo

Our friends Jeremy and Shirlene were weeks ahead of us in Sapporo. Thus with all the ground work done, we just followed their recommendation (their posts here) and decided to try the highly recommended Ramen.

Located on the 10th Floor at Sapporo Esta shopping centre, next to JR Sapporo station, it is not difficult to locate. Once you take the life to the 10th floor, you'll find the entrance to the Sapporo Ramen Republic where it hosts 8 of the top ramen restaurants from Sapporo.

We decided to eat at Shirakaba Sansou Ramen (白樺山荘), which is the first shop on the left after the entrance. Made to look like a Japanese ramen stall, the look and feel was unique and fun.

Here is a photo of the menu, so you can decide on what you would like to try before you actually go there. We ordered the recommended ¥980 Miso with Chinese Roast Pork ramen. I mean, the photo was enlarged, thus it must be their special! 


We decided to share 1 main, and asked for an additional bowl to share. They were nice enough to provide an empty bowl, with half an egg and some sea weed. Nice gesture. There were also a whole basket of free hard bowl eggs provided. We only tried 1, but other locals took the opportunity to consume a few.

Here we have the top Ramen of Sapporo. When you first taste the miso soup base, you know that this is no ordinary Ramen. The soup base is extremely rich, tasty and creamy.... almost like they used a whole animal just for the broth. The ramen came with bamboo shoots, spring onions, sea weed and Chinese roast pork, Even the ramen noodle was great in texture and taste, cooked just right. The only thing that I didn't enjoy about it is the amount of fat it has. You'll be able to see a layer of oil hovering on the top of the soup. It is probably why the soup is so tasty, with all the fats in it. This is truly one of the best Ramen that we have tasted.

Last of all we also ordered a Gyoza, which is shaped a little different from the traditional dumpling shapes. The skin they used is a little different, a little more firm when compared to the usual Gyoza.


Overall we really enjoyed our lunch and would recommend anyone to give it a try if they ever do visit Sapporo.