Hotel and restaurant lunch buffets are incredibly popular right now! Especially in the last few years, the quality of the food has improved dramatically, leading to higher satisfaction. That's why I'm starting a series to introduce the buffets in Sapporo that I've personally tried and thought, "I definitely want to come back here!" Use this as a guide when choosing a place to go with your female friends or other companions.

SAPPORO STREAM HOTEL opened in January 2024. Located above the always bustling COCONO SUSUKINO and directly connected to Susukino Subway Station, it's a convenient and reliable meeting spot. The super popular lunch buffet often has a long line before reservation times! The hospitable hotel staff guides guests to their seats in order. The seating is spacious, and the path to the buffet counter is well-designed, creating a calm atmosphere.

About 25 dishes are available, featuring Hokkaido ingredients and prepared with extra care by a chef with French culinary experience.

The buffet counter features a variety of dishes like cold appetizers, Western-style food, and a vegetable bar, but the live cooking station is always the most popular. The Carbonara, made with Grana di Ezo cheese from Sapporo's cheese factory "Fattoria Bio Hokkaido," is a dish where hot pasta is tossed inside a wheel of aged Grana di Ezo cheese. It has a rich aroma and deep flavor, offering an authentic taste.

The live cooking station is crowded at first, but it calms down after a while, so it's a good idea to go at a slightly different time.

The other signature dish is the grilled beef. The beef is tenderly grilled while retaining a firm texture, showcasing the chef's skill. Two types of sauces are available, but the yama wasabi (horseradish) sauce is an especially great match! You can get as many refills as you like, which is a delight for meat lovers. The type of meat changes, so check the official website for the monthly menu in advance.

The other signature dish, "Grilled Beef." It's grilled to be tender while having a satisfying meaty texture.

Two types of sauces are provided. The yama wasabi sauce was particularly impressive!

Refills are unlimited, a great perk for meat lovers. The type of meat reportedly changes from time to time.

The vegetable bar offers a daily selection of fresh salad greens and warm vegetables. What's surprising is how delicious the vegetables themselves are. In addition to their freshness, you can fully experience the umami of the vegetables, from the crisp leafy greens to the slowly grilled oven-baked items. The ability to customize your salad with nuts, olive oil, and various dressings is another charm. Combining them with cold cuts is also recommended.

Leafy greens like lettuce are crisp and crunchy. The vegetables have a strong, natural flavor, showcasing the quality of the ingredients.

A rich selection of toppings like fried onions and croutons, as well as dressings like vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.

Cold cuts are also available, so combining them with vegetables on your plate really elevates the experience.

Each menu item is creatively designed and meticulously prepared. The sauces and seasonings show a skillful use of herbs and spices, giving the satisfaction of dining on French or Italian cuisine. The "Hokkaido Exploration Menu" changes monthly, making repeat visits exciting.

The meat and fish dishes, which change periodically, such as the bouillabaisse, have an authentic taste.

The meat is cooked to perfection, and the variety of sauces and seasonings ensures you'll never get bored.

Furthermore, the "Tantetsuko-meshi" corner features local dishes from coal mining towns like Ashibetsu, Akabira, and Yubari, as well as port towns like Otaru. One of the concepts of this buffet is to act as a hub connecting Hokkaido's producers with consumers, conveying the region's local cuisine and food culture through food.

The Tantetsuko-meshi corner has a fun display, including a model of a steam locomotive.

Even when you're full, there's always room for dessert. There are always 6-7 types of pastry chef's special desserts, such as mini cakes and puddings. In addition, there's a wide variety of soft-serve ice cream and fruits that you can enjoy with your favorite toppings. With cornflakes, fruit sauces, and even red bean paste available, why not try creating your own unique parfait?

The cakes change from time to time, including mousse, gateau chocolat, and tarts. The pudding is also popular!

You can also create your own original parfait by topping soft-serve ice cream made with Hokkaido milk with your favorite fruits and sauces.

Sweets are restocked frequently, so if what you want is gone, just wait a little while.

The lunch buffet at SAPPORO STREAM HOTEL gives the impression that each dish is made with great care and effort. It's highly recommended, with a quality that feels more like you're enjoying individual dishes from a course meal rather than a typical buffet!

・The cooking methods and sauces are elaborate and unique, so you won't get tired of the flavors.
・The ingredients used are of high quality! The deliciousness of the vegetables is particularly surprising.
・You can learn about the food culture centered around the keyword "Hokkaido."
・The seating arrangement is spacious, allowing for comfortable movement.

*Photos are from the time of the interview. Content may vary depending on the season.

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