Ramen salad, a staple menu item at Hokkaido's izakaya and karaoke bars, is known by the nickname "ra-sala. This salad, consisting of plenty of vegetables and Hokkaido's unique egg noodles with dressing, has become so popular that it can be found in school lunches and convenience stores. In this issue, we will explore the reasons for the creation of "ramen salad," Hokkaido's iconic B gourmet dish, and its appeal.

Ramen salad was created in 1985 at the Sapporo Grand Hotel's beer hall "Bic Jocchi" in Sapporo, Hokkaido, as a new type of cold ramen that was different from cold ramen. When it was first created, ramen salad was made by topping noodles with cold water, seafood such as shrimp and scallops, and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and cabbage, and topping them with a special dressing. This original ramen salad can still be enjoyed at the Sapporo Grand Hotel.

Dressing is an essential part of ramen salad. Sapporo Grand Hotel's original dressing is a soy sauce-based dressing that tastes like a blend of chilled chuka sauce and mayonnaise. Various flavors of dressings are now available in supermarkets, including gomayo-based and soy sauce-based dressings. These dressings are characterized by a slightly thicker flavor than regular salad dressings.

Ramen salad is often made at home as well as in izakayas. In Hokkaido, it is common to make ramen at home, and simply topping the leftover noodles with salad is a great way to transform them into ramen salad! The toppings are optional, and you can add chicken or boiled eggs, or choose a dressing that matches the season. Because of the abundance of vegetables in this dish, it is also incorporated into school lunches in Hokkaido.

In Hokkaido, ramen salad can be purchased not only at izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) but also at convenience stores. Major convenience store chains sell various flavors of ramen salad exclusively in Hokkaido, including gomayo-based and soy sauce-based.

Ramen salad has been a favorite menu item for more than 30 years, originating in Sapporo, and is now offered at izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) throughout the country, allowing people to enjoy its taste without having to go to Hokkaido. Ramen salad is a great way to pick up a lot of vegetables and is very satisfying to eat, and is favored by many people. We hope you will give this unique "rahmen salad" a try.

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