In Hokkaido, "Ramen Salad," affectionately known as "Ra-sala," is a staple on the menus of izakayas (Japanese pubs) and karaoke bars. This dish, featuring plenty of vegetables and Hokkaido's characteristic wavy egg noodles tossed in dressing, has become so widespread that it's now found in school lunches and convenience stores. This time, we'll explore the origins and charm of "Ramen Salad," a signature B-grade gourmet dish of Hokkaido.

Ramen Salad was born in 1985 at "Big Jug," the beer hall of the Sapporo Grand Hotel in Sapporo, Hokkaido. It was developed as a new kind of cold ramen, distinct from hiyashi chuka (cold Chinese-style noodles), and later became a popular dish to make at home. The original Ramen Salad consisted of noodles chilled in cold water, topped with seafood like shrimp and scallops, vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and cabbage, and finished with a special dressing. You can still enjoy this original Ramen Salad at the Sapporo Grand Hotel today.

The dressing is an essential part of Ramen Salad. The original dressing from Sapporo Grand Hotel has a soy sauce base with a flavor profile that's like a blend of hiyashi chuka sauce and mayonnaise. Today, various dressings are available in supermarkets, including sesame-mayo and soy sauce-based options. These dressings are typically richer and thicker than standard salad dressings.

Ramen Salad is not just for izakayas; it's also a common homemade dish. In Hokkaido, it's typical for families to cook ramen at home, and leftover noodles can be easily transformed into Ramen Salad by adding a salad topping! Toppings are versatile—you can add chicken or a boiled egg, and choose a dressing that suits the season. Because it's a great way to eat plenty of vegetables, it has also been incorporated into school lunch menus in Hokkaido.

In Hokkaido, you can buy Ramen Salad not only at izakayas but also at convenience stores. Major convenience store chains sell various flavors of Ramen Salad exclusively in Hokkaido, allowing you to enjoy different tastes like sesame-mayo and soy sauce bases.

As a dish originating from Sapporo, Ramen Salad has been loved for over 30 years. It is now served in izakayas across Japan, making it possible to enjoy its taste without traveling to Hokkaido. Being hearty and packed with vegetables, Ramen Salad is popular with many people. Be sure to give this unique "Ra-sala" a try!

Check these out too!