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"Sapporo Rakkyo": The Original Sapporo Soup Curry, Flavored with the Legendary "Sapporo Ki" Onion
Just a 2-minute walk from JR Kotoni Station in Sapporo, you'll find "Sapporo Rakkyo." Established in 1999 in Nishi-ku, Kotoni, it is one of the legendary restaurants that sparked the soup curry boom in Sapporo. With a theme of simple and classic flavors, their popular dishes are packed with ingredients from Hokkaido. We visited Kotoni to uncover the secret behind their long-beloved taste.
The traditional "Sapporo Ki" onion is the key to the soup's flavor
If you're lucky, you might find their prized Sapporo Ki onions for sale at the storefront.
The soup, made from a base of chicken, pork, and beef bones, features a traditional vegetable grown near Sapporo called the "Sapporo Ki" onion. While common varieties have a sugar content of about 9 degrees Brix, the Sapporo Ki boasts 13 degrees, a sweetness comparable to fruits like strawberries and apples. This onion is simmered for over 10 hours with other aromatic vegetables and then left to rest overnight, drawing out a deep, robust flavor and natural sweetness. The soup is infused with 25 different spices, which are freshly ground to bring out their vibrant aroma.
Moist, tender, and flavorful Shiretoko chicken
"Shiretoko Chicken Soup Curry" for 1,530 yen. The 350g thigh portion is very satisfying. At the main branch, you can choose between brown or white rice.
The restaurant's most popular dish is the "Shiretoko Chicken Soup Curry." Shiretoko chicken is known for its plump, soft texture and rich, savory flavor. Although many soup curry restaurants use Shiretoko chicken today, it is said that "Rakkyo" was the first to popularize it. The chicken thigh is simmered for over two hours until it's so tender that it falls apart in your mouth. It soaks up the soup perfectly, filling your mouth with the aroma of spices and savory juices.
High-quality ingredients sourced from partner farms across Hokkaido
"Doro-Buta Hamburg Soup Curry" for 1,680 yen. The juicy hamburg steak weighs 120g. It's packed with Hokkaido vegetables like sweet potatoes from Hakodate, maitake mushrooms from Aibetsu, and potatoes from Toya.
Rakkyo is committed to a farm-to-table philosophy, using Hokkaido-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Vegetables are delivered from farms all over the prefecture, and the rice used is new-crop rice from the Yamauchi Farm in Atsuta, depending on the season. Sometimes, the staff even visits the farms to help with the harvest. For over 20 years since its founding, the restaurant has cherished its connections with producers.
Irresistible! The ever-popular side menu
The spice-infused "Tandoori Zangi" is 180 yen for one piece (340 yen for two, 480 yen for three). Enjoy it on its own or as a topping for your curry.
The side dishes also have a loyal following, such as the "Tandoori Zangi," which is marinated for a day in homemade spices and fried to a crispy, fragrant finish, and the "Haskap Lassi," with its addictively mellow sweetness and fresh tartness. With monthly limited-edition curries and seasonal gelatos on the menu, there's always something exciting to look forward to on every visit.
"Haskap Lassi" for 440 yen. It uses haskap berries sourced from Tomari Farm in Nayoro City. Its sharp tartness provides a clean, refreshing aftertaste. You can add gum syrup to your liking.
Cherishing its roots: Aiming to be a restaurant loved by locals
Mr. Yuichi Abiko, director of the operating company "SPICE GO GO." He used to be a regular customer 20 years ago and fell so in love with the taste that he joined the company.
To ensure that local residents can always enjoy something new, the restaurant offers a daily curry special. On the first and third Friday of every month, a half-price campaign is held for customers aged 65 and over. Additionally, every Tuesday, the "Kids' Curry" is offered to elementary school children and younger for just 100 yen. The proceeds from this are donated to support children's activities in Sapporo.
Although it is now a nationally renowned restaurant, Mr. Abiko says, "We want to continue cherishing our connection to Kotoni, our founding place, and Sapporo, and operate as a curry shop deeply rooted in the local community."
Sapporo Rakkyo
■Address: Capitaine Kotoni 1F, 1-1-7-7 Kotoni, Nishi-ku, Sapporo
■Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
■Closed: 3rd Wednesday of the month
Click here for details and map information for "Sapporo Rakkyo"
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Writer Profile
Magazine/Book Editor & Writer Kyohei Yamashita
While working in program production at a radio station, he began producing fanzines and writing for magazines. He later joined a publishing house as an editor, where he worked on a variety of articles, mainly for a local city guide. His hobbies include cooking, mountain climbing, river fishing, and exploring stone monuments in Sapporo. He lives in Sapporo's Minami Ward and has a deep love for the area.
