Thanks to a Google app commercial, "Gatatan" (含多湯), a local delicacy from Ashibetsu, Hokkaido, has suddenly captured the nation's attention. But what kind of dish is it? Let's explore what Gatatan is and introduce some of the best restaurants in Ashibetsu where you can savor this delicious meal!

In the commercial, a person at a Chinese restaurant sees the characters "含多湯" on the menu, looks them up on their phone, and discovers the dish is pronounced "Gatatan." This ad helped spread the name of Gatatan across the country.

"Gatatan" is written with the kanji characters "含多湯," which means "soup with many ingredients" in Chinese. The basic style is a thick, salt-based Chinese soup filled with dumplings, various vegetables, seafood, and other ingredients, finished with a swirl of beaten egg.

Photo courtesy of: Ashibetsu City Board of Education, Hoshi no Furu Sato Hyakunen Kinenkan

The roots of Gatatan trace back to the post-World War II era, when Bungonosuke Murai, who repatriated from former Manchuria to Ashibetsu, adapted a dish made with "gāda"—dumplings made by kneading flour or potato starch with water. He began serving it at his Chinese restaurant, "Koraku."

Photo courtesy of: Ashibetsu City Board of Education, Hoshi no Furu Sato Hyakunen Kinenkan

Although it's a soup, Gatatan is packed with ingredients. The addition of dumplings makes it very filling, and the thick, lightly salted broth warms a chilled body. For these reasons, it became a beloved meal among coal miners who performed strenuous labor. Initially served only at "Koraku," its deliciousness led it to become a popular home-cooked meal throughout Ashibetsu.

Later, as the coal mining industry declined, so did Gatatan's popularity. However, in the Heisei era, a group of volunteers came together to preserve this local flavor, leading to its revival! Today, many variations have been created, such as Gatatan Ramen, Gatatan Fried Rice, and Gatatan Yakisoba. Each restaurant boasts its own unique take on Gatatan, and part of the fun is enjoying the wide variety of styles available.

Here are our top recommendations for places to enjoy Gatatan in Ashibetsu!

1. Shin Horaiken: Famous for its Special Dumplings

Their orthodox "Gatatan Soup" is loaded with ingredients and features dumplings made from a special blend of flours. It's low in salt but rich in umami from the ingredients. Delicious on its own, it's also great with a side of rice!

2. Hoka Hanten: A Veteran Restaurant from the Dawn of Gatatan

The specialty here is "Gatatan Ramen"! It contains both noodles and chewy gāda dumplings, creating an exquisite collaboration where the umami-rich Gatatan soup clings perfectly to the noodles. You can enjoy a truly deep and complex flavor.

3. Restaurant La Fleur at Michi-no-Eki Star Plaza Ashibetsu: A Variety of Gatatan Dishes

At "La Fleur," which has a ceiling that resembles a planetarium, you can enjoy not only Gatatan Ramen but also an extensive menu featuring Gatatan Yakisoba and Gatatan Fried Rice! You can choose a different Gatatan dish to suit your mood for the day.

4. Kuidokoro Kakikukeko: Experience a New Style of Gatatan

If you're looking for a new take on Gatatan, head to "Kakikukeko" for their "Stone-grilled Gatatan"! Served sizzling hot, this Gatatan includes rice, which pairs perfectly with the soup. The key feature is that it uses tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes) instead of gāda dumplings. For the grand finale, we recommend scraping up the crispy scorched rice (okoge) at the bottom and mixing it with the soup for a delightful crispy and thick texture.

Ashibetsu's specialty, "Gatatan," once loved by coal miners, will leave you feeling warm and happy in both body and soul. There are as many variations of Gatatan as there are restaurants, so why not try a few different places to find your favorite version?