Hachinoki, a popular ramen shop in Hassamu, Nishi Ward, Sapporo, has been drawing crowds since its opening in February 2016. It gained attention as the third shop to be granted a "noren-wake" (official offshoot) from the famed Sapporo ramen institution "Sumire," following in the footsteps of "Saimi" and Tokyo's "Ooshima." While maintaining its popularity, this top-tier shop continues its quest for even greater flavor. Here, we'll introduce their overwhelmingly popular ramen and the secrets behind its taste.

The shop is located about a 7-minute walk from JR Hassamu Station. For those visiting by car, it's conveniently close to National Route 5 and the Sapporo Shindo, with 12 parking spaces available. The interior is not very large, with 8 counter seats and 2 tables.

In addition to the main parking lot in front of the shop, there are up to three parking lots available.

Hachinoki's most popular dish, the "Miso Ramen"

The overwhelmingly popular choice is the "Miso Ramen" (1,000 yen). This piping hot bowl, known as "Jun-Sumi style," is a quintessential Sapporo experience. Lard and garlic are heated in a wok, then bean sprouts and other ingredients are stir-fried with perfect heat control to prevent burning, creating a fragrant and crisp texture. The soup is then added to the wok and served scorching hot. The surface is so hot that no steam rises, so be careful not to burn your tongue!

The key to the soup's deliciousness is the special miso tare (sauce), a result of blending several types of miso. This tare creates a flavor that is rich yet has a clean, lingering umami. Furthermore, dissolving the grated ginger served on the side transforms the taste into something even more refreshing. You won't be able to stop sipping the soup!

The noodles are custom-made by Morizumi Seimen, carefully designed to perfectly complement the soup. These medium-thick, wavy noodles have a delightfully firm and chewy texture that makes you think, "This is classic Sapporo!"

The owner, Mr. Anazawa, says he dedicates himself to his ramen every day with a desire to preserve the tradition of "Sapporo Miso Ramen." When asked about the secret to Hachinoki's deliciousness, he replied, "the fragrant stir-frying of the bean sprouts," "the salt level calculated so you can drink the entire bowl of soup," and "the balance between the distinct character of each ingredient."

This is a superb bowl of ramen that becomes even more delicious when you savor it while appreciating each of these commitments. Be sure to try the miso ramen crafted by a true prodigy of the Sapporo ramen world.

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