Hokkaido is known as the "Bean Kingdom," boasting the largest cultivation area for a wide variety of beans in Japan. However, there might be quite a few Hokkaido residents who dislike beans or don't know how to cook them. That's why we want to introduce you to a shop called "Mame Kitchen Maruyama." It might just change your whole perspective on beans!

Mame Kitchen Maruyama is a specialty shop for bean dishes, focusing mainly on takeout and delivery. Located in the Maruyama area of Chuo-ku, Sapporo, its charming exterior already begins to challenge the typical image of beans.


The owner, Madoka Taniguchi, is also a registered dietitian. Her experience in promoting beans in Honbetsu, a town known as "Japan's number one bean town," led her to open Mame Kitchen Maruyama with the hope that people could enjoy bean dishes more easily and consistently.


While Mame Kitchen Maruyama offers a variety of bean dishes, the smoothies are what really catch the eye! It's quite surprising to see beans transformed into a smoothie, isn't it?

(Photo courtesy of Mame Kitchen Maruyama)

Apparently, while Ms. Taniguchi was preparing to open the shop, she was experimenting with all sorts of bean recipes and posting them on social media. The smoothies received particularly high praise from her followers. She has matched various fruits with beans to create and sell smoothies with perfectly compatible flavor combinations.

Believe it or not, each cup contains a whopping 50g of beans! They are highly nutritious, filling, and of course, delicious... In other words, it's a triple win.

(Photo courtesy of Mame Kitchen Maruyama)

Popular for breakfast and lunch is the set of bean rice balls (onigiri) and miso soup packed with vegetables. The onigiri are made with Nanatsuboshi rice from Furano, with two different Japanese, Western, or Chinese-style arrangements available daily.

The miso soup is also made with great care, using different types of miso like black soybean miso or barley miso on a daily basis, with the dashi (broth) type changing accordingly. It's a deeply satisfying and delicious meal that you can feel your body thanking you for.

(Photo courtesy of Mame Kitchen Maruyama)

(Photo courtesy of Mame Kitchen Maruyama)

Now, when you think of Western-style bean dishes, chili beans might come to mind. At Mame Kitchen Maruyama, you can choose between minced pork or soy meat, and either bread or rice to go with it. Depending on your mood, you'll want to try both. By the way, while the shop is mainly for takeout, there is a small eat-in space available.


In any case, once you try their food, you're sure to discover the true deliciousness of beans. Both the bean smoothies and bean onigiri are highly acclaimed, and it's no surprise that the number of repeat customers is steadily growing.

You can check the daily specials like onigiri and miso soup on the shop's Instagram and Facebook, so be sure to check them out before you visit. It will change your image of beans!

＜Mame Kitchen Maruyama＞
Location: 1-1 Kita 2-jo Nishi 25-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Phone: 011-838-8640
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MameKitchenMaruyama/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamekitchen_maruyama/

＜Thumbnail Photo Credit＞
Mame Kitchen Maruyama