“All-you-can-eat authentic spicy food at a hotel?” — This incredible “Spice Market Lunch Buffet” is currently being held on weekends only at the Hotel Sosei Sapporo MGallery Collection, located right in front of Sapporo Factory. Featuring over 20 dishes like curry, Tom Yum Goong, and Biryani created by Indian and Thai chefs, the lineup feels like a bustling overseas street food market. We'll give you a full report on the charms of this unique “spice-focused” buffet, a rarity in Sapporo.

Located in the Sosei River East area, the Hotel Sosei Sapporo MGallery Collection is themed around “a pioneer's residence reborn in the 21st century.” As you step into the entrance, you're greeted by a dignified space that is both grand and intricate.

The sofas and fabrics are as beautifully arranged as works of art

The restaurant's interior, inspired by a historic German brewery, is both industrial and exotic, creating a luxurious atmosphere.

As its name suggests, the theme of the “Spice Market Lunch Buffet” is “spice.” Its greatest appeal is the chance to savor authentic Indian and Thai cuisine, meticulously prepared under the supervision of four Indian and two Thai chefs. It's probably the only hotel buffet in Sapporo with such a specialized theme.

A spread of about 20 different Indian and Thai dishes

You can enjoy not only curries but also various other spiced dishes

A beautiful vegetable carving greets you at the entrance

When you think of Indian food, curry is the first thing that comes to mind. This buffet offers the ever-popular Butter Chicken Curry and Chicken Keema Curry, as well as Bhuna Gosht, a thick, rich lamb curry with less sauce.

The Keema Curry is quite spicy, while the Butter Chicken has a milder heat

Each has a distinct flavor and level of spiciness, making it a rare opportunity to compare them all at once. Made by Indian chefs, they are not just spicy; the balance of sweetness, acidity, spice aroma, and richness varies, allowing you to truly appreciate the depth of Indian curry, which is said to have hundreds of regional variations.

The lamb curry is unique! It's like a spiced lamb stew and very hearty

In the open kitchen, an Indian chef continuously stretches the dough and bakes fresh naan. The dough itself isn't too sweet, and its fluffy, chewy texture pairs perfectly with the curries! It's so good you'll want to keep getting more, but be careful not to fill up too quickly! They also offer authentic long-grain Basmati rice.

The naan is relatively small, so you can easily go back for seconds

A selection of Achar, Indian pickles that are a staple with Indian meals, is also available, so you'll have something to cleanse your palate.

On this day, there were three types of Achar. You can also mix them with curry for a different flavor

A key feature of this buffet is that you can enjoy authentic Indian dishes beyond just curry. “Hara Bhara Kabab,” a potato and spinach croquette, and “Fish Amritsari,” a spicy fish dish, were Indian side dishes I had never encountered before.

Recommended with mint sauce or ketchup!

There's also Biryani, the increasingly popular Indian rice pilaf, which is loaded with chicken and very satisfying! While all these dishes use spices, don't worry, they are mildly spiced.

Pour “Raita,” a yogurt spice sauce, over the Biryani

The Thai cuisine, supervised by Thai chefs, includes about 10 dishes such as the classic Tom Yum Goong and Massaman Curry. It's a delightful treat to compare the different use of spices compared to Indian food. Thai cuisine is characterized by its combination of spicy, sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors in a single dish, with herbs adding a refreshing aroma. You can also customize the flavors to your liking with sauces made from nuts and citrus, and fresh cilantro toppings.

The Tom Yum Goong is finished with coconut milk for a creamy texture

Drizzle Thai grilled chicken, Satay, with sweet sauce or peanut sauce

The Massaman Curry luxuriously uses beef

The stir-fried rice noodles with gravy have a familiar, mild flavor that Japanese people will enjoy

It's not often you get to try Thai and Indian desserts. This time, they offered “Kheer,” an Indian-style milk rice dessert, and “Wun Gati,” a coconut jelly with a vibrant two-tone look. While tropical sweets might have a reputation for being overly sweet, these have a pleasant sweetness that comes from coconut milk and rice rather than just sugar. They are the perfect palate cleanser after spicy dishes!

The mango shaved ice is made to order right in front of you

The tapioca milk is full of small tapioca pearls!

The Chai and Lassi at the drink corner are homemade. The Chai, available hot and iced, is delicious! This rich chai, brewed with several spices and tea leaves, has a strong tea flavor and is unsweetened, making it a great accompaniment to the meal. The Lassi is also smooth and not overly tangy, perfectly refreshing your palate. It's easy to see why it's an essential part of an Indian meal.

It's great that you can help yourself to unlimited hot chai

This authentic chai is richer in tea and spice flavors than what is commonly served in Japan

This lineup of only Thai and Indian food might not be for everyone, but for spice lovers, it's a heavenly buffet. It's also a valuable opportunity to compare the differences and characteristics of each country's food culture through their cuisine. The balance between the authentic flavors from the Thai and Indian chefs and the adjustments and arrangements made to suit Hokkaido's climate and seasons is superb. The 2026 season of the “Spice Market” runs until June 28th (Sun), so be sure to visit soon!

・Authentic flavors from Thai and Indian chefs
・A menu that's a dream for spice lovers
・All-you-can-drink exquisite Chai and homemade Lassi!
・Relax in a comfortable and artistic space
・Affordable price in the 3,000 yen range

*Photos are from March 2026. Menu items may vary depending on the season.
*All prices include tax and service charge.