Located on Gyokei-dori Street in Sapporo's Yamahana district, Genghis Khan Mitsuba is a specialty restaurant that has become a hidden gem cherished by locals since its opening in 2021. For a simple dish like Genghis Khan, the secret lies in the deliciousness of its special sauce. We sat down with the owner to find out more about their commitment to flavor.

"Gyokei-dori" was named after the imperial visits (gyokei being a respectful term for an outing by the imperial family) that took place from the Meiji to the Taisho era. Along this historic street, you'll find Mitsuba quietly operating. Having opened in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant is impeccably clean, featuring powerful smoke extractors and a thorough cleaning regimen. The high-quality lamb, carefully selected by the owner, has gained a loyal following, and the restaurant is now a popular spot for women dining alone.

The large-diameter smoke extractor quickly sucks up any odors

"Lamb Shoulder Loin" with a perfect balance of fat and lean meat - 1,200 yen

The meat is sourced in blocks of fresh lamb from Australia and New Zealand. To ensure a satisfying bite, each slice is cut thick, with a single serving weighing a generous 120g.

Start with the classic "Fresh Lamb" for 950 yen. The set with vegetables is 1,350 yen

The sauce is what truly brings out the meat's charm! It's an original, soy sauce-based blend with spices, aged for three months to mellow the flavor. They also offer a marinated Genghis Khan, where the meat is soaked for at least two days in a special sauce made with soy sauce, ginger, and fruit. The flavor penetrates deep into the meat, resulting in a moist, tender texture that is particularly popular with older customers.

"Marinated Genghis Khan" for 1,100 yen. The marinated shoulder loin is 1,200 yen

"Lamb-gyopsal" for 1,350 yen. Made with shoulder loin.

Mitsuba attracts many female customers, and one of their most popular original dishes is the "Lamb-gyopsal." As the name suggests, it's a lamb-based twist on the famous Korean dish, Samgyeopsal. The marinade, or "jang," is homemade and specially designed to complement the lamb. For this price, you get a standard single portion of meat, plus kimchi and sanchu lettuce... it's easy to see why it's so popular.

Owner Hiroyuki Kita

From meticulous prep work to making each sauce by hand, owner Mr. Kita says it's all just "the standard." He has been in the food and beverage industry for many years and was once a bartender. "Naturally, I made all the cocktails by hand. I apply that same mindset to making the sauces (laughs)," he shared.

If you see this sign in front of the shop...?

Mr. Kita later ran a restaurant in Susukino called "Bird," which proposed pairings of wine and yakitori. While wine and yakitori pairings might be common now, at the time, its novelty attracted many fans. Even now, regulars from those days frequent Mitsuba. On rare occasions, he puts out a sign for "Yakitori and Natural Wine" and holds a special service reminiscent of his former restaurant.

The certificate is also on display

The restaurant serves "The Premium Malt's Kaoru Ale." It is a certified "'Kami-awa' Master's Shop," a recognition from Suntory for establishments that meet their standards and serve beer in its "best possible condition." The creamy foam and floral aroma are a perfect match for Genghis Khan.

A promotional poster for Kami-awa featuring Mr. Kita displayed in the restaurant

In addition, the menu features other must-try items like rare lamb tongue, thick lamb chops, meticulously prepared offal (salt or miso), and onigiri rice balls made with Nanatsuboshi rice from Rankoshi Town. Although it's a bit of a distance from central Sapporo, it's easily accessible, just a 3-minute walk from the Gyokei-dori stop on the Sapporo Streetcar. Why not venture a little further to savor the taste of this hidden gem?

Genghis Khan Mitsuba

■Address: 3-7, South 14, West 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
■Hours: 17:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
■Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a public holiday, open and closed the following Tuesday)
Click here for details and map information for "Genghis Khan Mitsuba"

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