Have you ever been on your way to the Sapporo Dome (Daiwa House Premist Dome) or the Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, seen a sign for a ramen shop, and thought, “I wonder what that place is like?” That shop is Sapporo Tonkotsu Ramen Jo. It's a popular restaurant long-loved by locals, offering a wide range of menu items from its signature creamy tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen to chicken-based broths, tori paitan (creamy chicken broth), and even an ultra-rich "Do-Tonkotsu." This time, we visited to taste its charms for ourselves and share them with you.

The popular "Miso Ramen Tonkotsu" - 680 yen

The signature dish at "Sapporo Tonkotsu Ramen Jo" is, as the name suggests, the tonkotsu ramen. It comes in three varieties—shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), and miso—but the most popular is, of course, the "Tonkotsu Miso Ramen."

The tonkotsu broth, carefully simmered for hours, is incredibly creamy. Yet, it has no gamey smell, and the umami of the pork bones and the miso tare (sauce) are in perfect harmony. Mixing in the accompanying ginger halfway through changes the flavor to a refreshing aftertaste, allowing you to enjoy it to the very last drop without getting tired of it.

The noodles are the medium-thick, wavy noodles from Morizumi Seimen, a familiar name in Sapporo ramen. They have a firm, springy texture and pair exceptionally well with the soup.

Furthermore, a unique feature of this shop is the abundance of free toppings. You can add things like back fat or ma-yu (black garlic oil) to customize the flavor to your liking.

"Torigara Shoyu (Chicken Broth Soy Sauce) with Chicken Oil Topping" - 680 yen

While the name might suggest it's a tonkotsu specialty shop, the breadth of its menu is another of its charms. The light "Torigara Shoyu" features a clear chintan soup that slowly extracts the umami of the chicken. Adding the free chicken oil topping gives it an even deeper, richer flavor.

"Do-Tonkotsu Shoyu" - 1,200 yen

For those who love rich flavors, the "Do-Tonkotsu" is highly recommended. This luxurious bowl of ramen uses a rare soup made by simmering 15kg of domestic pork bones for two full days and nights, yielding only about 10 servings. It's a must-try for any tonkotsu enthusiast.

"Tori Paitan Shoyu" - 1,000 yen

The lineup also includes the creamy "Tori Paitan," as well as limited-time specials and curry ramen. You can enjoy a different bowl every time you visit.

The shop is located at the intersection where you turn off National Route 36 towards Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill. Its proximity to the Sapporo Dome (Daiwa House Premist Dome) makes it a popular spot for people to stop by before or after concerts and sporting events.

With a large shared parking lot, it's easily accessible by car, and you can also get there by bus from Fukuzumi Subway Station. It's a great place to casually drop by during your sightseeing adventures.

The ticket machine

*All prices include tax. Information is current as of the article's publication date.