"Ramen Salad" is a standard menu item at izakayas and karaoke bars in Hokkaido, and is affectionately known as "Rasala". This salad, which is made by pouring dressing over a generous amount of vegetables and Hokkaido's unique egg-flavored noodles, has become so popular that it can now be found in school lunches and convenience stores. In this article, we will explore the reason why "Ramen Salad", a B-class gourmet dish that symbolizes Hokkaido, was created and its appeal.

Ramen salad was created in 1985 at the beer hall "Big Jug" of the Sapporo Grand Hotel in Sapporo, Hokkaido. It was developed as a new type of cold ramen that was different from chilled ramen, and has since become established as a menu item that can be enjoyed at home. When it was first created, the ramen salad was made by topping noodles rinsed in cold water with seafood such as shrimp and scallops, and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and cabbage, and then topping it off with a special dressing. This original ramen salad can still be enjoyed at the Sapporo Grand Hotel.

Dressing is essential for ramen salad. Sapporo Grand Hotel's original dressing is a soy sauce-based dressing that tastes like a blend of chilled Chinese noodles sauce and mayonnaise. Currently, there are many different flavors of dressings available at supermarkets, such as sesame mayonnaise and soy sauce. These dressings are characterized by a slightly richer flavor than regular salad dressings.

Ramen salad is not only popular at izakayas, but is also often made at home. In Hokkaido, it is common to make ramen at home, and simply topping leftover noodles with salad transforms them into ramen salad! You can choose your own toppings, such as chicken or boiled eggs, or choose a dressing that suits the season. Because vegetables are abundant in Hokkaido, it is also included in school lunches in Hokkaido.

In Hokkaido, you can buy ramen salad not only at izakayas but also at convenience stores. Major convenience store chains sell ramen salads in a variety of flavors that are only available in Hokkaido, and you can enjoy a variety of flavors such as sesame mayonnaise and soy sauce bases.

Ramen salad has been a beloved menu item that originated in Sapporo for over 30 years, and is now served in izakayas all over the country, meaning you don't have to go to Hokkaido to enjoy its flavor. Ramen salad, which contains plenty of vegetables, is filling and popular with many people. Please give this unique "Rasala" a try at least once.