In the competitive world of Sapporo ramen, Menya Saimi is a super-popular restaurant with lines out the door every day. Since its opening in 2000, its signature Miso Ramen has remained a crowd-pleaser, satisfying everyone from local families to tourists. Let's dive into the secrets behind their special ramen and reveal the owner's surprising recommendation.

There are three parking lots available.

The restaurant is just a 5-minute walk from Misono Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway. It's also easily accessible by car, located near National Route 36 and the Kanjo-dori loop road, with plenty of parking. Inside, you'll find both counter and table seating, welcoming everyone from solo diners to families.

The "Miso Ramen" is ordered by most customers.

The most popular item is the Sapporo ramen classic, "Miso Ramen" (950 yen, tax incl.). It features distinctive yellow, medium-thick curly noodles. With a delightfully firm and chewy texture, these delicious noodles hold their own in the piping hot soup.

The secret to their popularity lies in the meticulous aging process of the noodles, which enhances their flavor and firmness, ensuring they are always served in perfect condition.

The soup is a combination of a carefully simmered, clear pork bone broth (tonkotsu chintan) and a special white miso-based sauce. This creates a soup that is rich and full-bodied, yet has a clean, refreshing finish. It's truly impressive that they start preparing this delicious,こだわり (kodawari) soup from 5 AM every single day.

The chashu, made from Hokkaido-grown pork shoulder, is lean and releases a deep, meaty flavor with every bite. Overall, the ramen is lighter on lard than typical Sapporo miso ramen, making it easier to eat. A key feature is the grated ginger on top of the chashu. When you mix it into the soup, the flavor transforms, becoming wonderfully refreshing. This completes the one-of-a-kind "Saimi Miso Ramen" that you can't find anywhere else.

The owner's recommendation: "Spicy Shoyu Ramen"

The menu offers a rich variety, including miso, shoyu (soy sauce), and shio (salt), as well as spicy miso and spicy shoyu options. While miso is recommended for first-timers, the owner's personal favorite is the "Spicy Shoyu Ramen" (1,000 yen, tax incl.). The soy sauce soup, which looks rich but has a surprisingly clean taste, is perfectly matched with a kick of spice, creating an addictive bowl that will have you coming back for more.

Menya Saimi is the first officially recognized branch of the famous Sapporo restaurant 'Sumire,' and it has maintained its immense popularity since opening. Come and enjoy a truly special bowl of ramen in Sapporo that you won't find anywhere else.

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