The owner of 3104 Shiretoko Soup Curry is a native of Shiretoko who sublimated his ardent love of his hometown into curry. The soup is a simple pork bone curry that utilizes the "Mugio" brand of pigs from Shiretoko Shari, and the umami of the pigs is incorporated into the curry to the point where one can say, "How much more can I eat? It is a curry that is filled with as much umami as possible. What kind of passion goes into this flavor that has deep-rooted fans? We asked him about it.

Hiragishi Golden Gai is directly connected to the No. 2 exit of Hiragishi Station on the Namboku Subway Line. Amid the variety of izakaya (Japanese style pubs), bars, and soba noodle shops, 3104 Shiretoko Soup Curry, which opened in 2017, exudes the aroma of spice. The owner, Satoshi Daito, is from Shiretoko Shari. In order to convey the charm of his hometown where he was born and raised, he carefully selects Shiretoko-produced ingredients whenever possible.

The cozy restaurant has only five seats at the counter. The hole-in-the-wall feeling is irresistible!

Most popular "Sachiku Mugio Pork Hamburger Steak" 1,200 yen

The soup is made from "Sachiku Mugio," a brand-name pig raised at the Sasaki Livestock Farm in Shiretoko. The soup is extracted from the pig's thigh bones, ribs with the meat removed from the thighs, and a block of belly meat. Rausu kelp, also known as the king of kelp, and salmon kusubushi are added to bring out the deep umami flavor.

The topping "Kakuni Ippatsu" is 300 yen. Seasoned with spices.

When you take a sip, it is light and refreshing. The presence of the spices is accentuated, and the mild richness of the pork bone soup lingers in the mouth, creating a perfect balance. Although Japanese ingredients are used, it is not a "Japanese-style soup," but rather a "soup curry" with a strong punch. It has a deep flavor that makes the most of each ingredient's unique qualities.

Sachiku Mugio Pork Keema & Stewed Pork Korn" 1,000 yen

Mr. Daito's top recommendation is "Sachiku Mugio Pork Keema & Kakuni". The keema is ground pork stir-fried with whole spices and onions for a spicy flavor. The Kakuni is a topping that truly expresses the charm of Sachiku Barley King, with the sweetness of the fat and the umami of the meat. The combination of these two toppings makes the umami of the soup richer and more aromatic, allowing you to fully appreciate the restaurant's commitment to its customers. The reasonable price is also a great point when compared to the price of a typical soup curry.

Various spices on the counter

The spiciness of the soup is based on two types of peppercorns and piquine paste. The spice oil used for the finishing touch is a special oil made by soaking mustard, pepper, and capsicum in olive oil, creating a multi-layered, complex spiciness. There are five levels of spiciness to choose from, ranging from "mildly spicy" to "extremely spicy," but Daito recommends the "spicy" level.

Prices of homemade pickled plums vary depending on the age of the plums, starting at 100 yen per piece.

The handwritten pop-ups in the store include Kraft cola, pickled Ainu leeks in soy sauce, miso balls, pickled plums, and more. At first glance, one might wonder, "Why dried plums in a curry shop? But when I heard the story, it made sense. Speaking of plums, they go great with pork, as in the "Ume-Shiso Pork Roll" on yakitori (grilled chicken). Ume vinegar, which is produced in the process of making pickled plums, is also used as a secret ingredient in curry, and its crisp salty taste helps to tighten the flavor of the soup.

Homemade miso mixed with spices and ume is used to "change the taste" of the soup.

Kraft cola is made with standard ingredients such as lemon, cinnamon, and gloves, as well as ume syrup. The spice and ume flavors go perfectly with the rich pork bone broth.

Mr. Daito, the owner of the restaurant. The name of the restaurant "3104" comes from his first name "Satoshi".

The limited menu includes vegan curry with broth made from soybeans and yuku (Ainu = Ezo deer) curry, which is made entirely from deer from Shiretoko, from the bones to the meat. The restaurant's social networking service will let you know when these limited menu items are available, so be sure to check if you are interested. Mr. Daito is also a member of TOPESUICIDA, a hardcore band active mainly in Sapporo. He also serves curry at the live concerts he performs at. In the coming season when the number of events increases, you may be able to enjoy Shiretoko soup curry in unexpected places!

3104 Shiretoko Soup Curry

Location: Dai2 Matsui Building, 8-2-6, Hiragishi 2-jo 8-chome, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
■Opening hours:
11:30-15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:30)
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 11:30 - 21:00 (L.O.20:30)
Closed: No regular holidays
Click here for details and map information of 3104 Shiretoko Soup Curry

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