7 Best Ramen In Niseko Japan That Will Leave You Wanting More!

7 Best Ramen in Niseko Japan That Will Leave You Wanting More!

Continuing on from our article about the best things to do in Niseko Japan, we are going to shortlist the best ramen we can find in this ski town.

Nobody goes to Japan without trying ramen right?

As part of our trip planning, we are going to find all the best ramen in Niseko so we know exactly where to head to when we get there.

What's covered in this post

7 Best Ramen in Niseko Japan That Will Leave You Wanting More!
Ramen in Japan
Where are the best ramen resturants in Niseko?
Logistics before visiting Niseko Japan
The best ramen in Niseko: Conclusion

Ramen in Japan

To us, ramen is comfort food. It’s hearty, it’s savoury and it fills you up. A bowl of hot piping soup with these delicious noodles really makes our day. But what exactly is ramen?

Ramen actually came from China, but was adopted by the Japanese and quickly became a hit. The humble noodle dish evolved and there are so many types of ramen to choose from these day, and the best part is that ramen prices are generally very affordable. Perfect for travellers on a budget!

In general, there are 4 types of ramen that you will find across Japan:

Shoyu
Tonkotsu
Miso
Shio

When you venture around Japan, you can also find regional creations that make use of seasonal or locally sourced ingredients. In Niseko, you will find the Asahikawa Ramen, which is more oily than usual and served with thin wheat noodles in a shoyu broth.

Another regional flavor is the Sapporo ramen, which are miso based and characterised by its thick broth and thick noodles. They look creamy and are topped with stuff like butter and sweet corn.

Quite a contrast for 2 dishes that are geographically in the same prefecture!

Where are the best ramen resturants in Niseko?

In order to come up with this list, we reached out to a few friends for help. They are based in Japan and have visited Niseko a few times, putting them in a good position to recommend the best ramen!

So in no particular order, here are the 9 best ramen in Niseko!

1. Niseko Ramen Kazahana

Right off the bat is this institution at the base of Hirafu Gondola, which was an unanimous choice amongst our friends. They are famous for their Hokkaido Miso Ramen, which you can say is a home grown product.

Besides the regular types of ramen, the chefs here got creative and came up with a bunch of new flavors for the adventurous diner. If you are up for it, be sure to try out the Habanero Ramen, which is super spicy. Definitely not for the faint hearted.

Another one to try out is the Hokkaido Miso Butter Corn Ramen, which blends all the flavors of the dish together nicely, and of course, the one of a kind potato foam ramen in the picture above.

The restaurant is housed in a traditional wooden hut and ambience is cozy and friendly.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nisekoramenkazahana/

Address: 179-36 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun 044-0081 Hokkaido

2. Sapporo Ramen Daishin Niseko

It is one of the most famous ramen restaurants in Sapporo, and has received rave reviews from travellers all over the world. Their signature dish is the Misobara pork noodles, which is made up of cured pork ribs that are thinly sliced and served in a hearty broth.

Variety is fairly decent, and the cheesy tantan noodles are surprisingly good too.

For those seeking an alternative to noodles, Daishin cooks up one of the best fried rice in the area, so be sure to try that out.

Good news is that prices are reasonable, starting at ¥700 only, but the bad news is that the restaurant is pretty small, so seating is limited.

You probably will have to join a queue, unless you manage to figure out how to make a reservation in Japanese.

Address: 1 Chome-1-11 Minami 10 Jonishi, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0044, Japan

3. Tozanken Ramen

Thanks to its great location in the main area of Hirafu-zaka and its delicious food, Tozanken is probably the most popular ramen restaurant in this entire list.

Many have quipped that they serve up the best ramen in town, though that is up for debate. One thing for sure though is that you will not be disappointed by the quality of the food here as well as the prices.

Hirafu-zaka is mainly a tourist street and prices are somewhat inflated, but Tozanken has kept it honest and that might explain its long queues.

This is the perfect place to try out a local specialty, the Asahikawa-style ramen.

Unfortunately, you will have to wait till winter to try this out, since that’s the only time they operate.

Address: 191-31 Yamada, Kutchan-chō, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō 044-0081

4. Otsukisama and Bar Moon

Don’t be fooled by its name and appearance, you can find delectable ramen and more here.

It does take a bit of navigating the alleyways to reach this restaurant, but we were told it is well worth it.

Spread over two floors, the vibe here is clearly lively and the crowd is mainly made up of young adults who are likely done for the day after skiing.

There isn’t a dish here the clearly stands out, unless you consider the spicy miso ramen, which many have taken it as a personal challenge to gobble down. In general though, they are popular for their ramen and the izakaya style small dishes.

Opt to sit near the counter for the best views in the house to watch the chefs in action.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Otsukisama-And-Bar-Moon/188387678408793

Address: 167-22 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan

5. Nakama Ramen

Located in the next door town of Kutchan, Nakama has built up a steady reputation for being a humble house, quietly serving excellent ramen and earning itself a mention in the Michelin guide. No small feat considering how tiny this restaurant is!

Plus, they are not usually within the sights of tourists, so you can be sure to have an authentic experience here.

Highly recommended is the shio ramen, but all other dishes are worth trying too, especially the gyoza.

Don’t be surprised by the lacklustre decor, the food is the main reason you should be here.

Address: ２丁目-22 Kita 2 Jonishi, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0051, Japan

6. Aji no Tokeidai

Come here to try out their classic Sapporo Ramen, which is a favourite among locals. Being a large chain in Hokkaido, Aji no Tokeidai spares no expense when it comes to creating a bowl of ramen goodness.

Although they are a fast food chain, quality ingredients are used and there’s a wide variety of choices for you to choose from. Add-ons are available from the menu, but be warned that the servings are pretty generous.

If you want to try something different, soba noodles is a good alternative.

Make this your rest stop after shopping at Max Value which is just a block away.

Official site

Address: Japan, 〒044-0045 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Kutchan, 南11条西1丁目佐々木ビル1階

7. Sanpachi Ramen Kutchan

Last on the list is Sanpachi Ramen Kutchan, which is just a few minutes walk away from Aji no Tokeidai.

Before you dive into the delicious Hokkaido style ramen here, consider trying out the minced meat served with rice and gyoza too. Reminds us of the lu rou fan from Taiwan!

It is here that you will find the best value ramen in Niseko too, as they regularly have specials with prices starting at ¥550 only. You do not have to worry about them serving you a tiny bowl as you will get the complete opposite.

After your meal, they even offer an ice cream to complete your meal. Not to be missed!

Address: 1 Chome-1-8 Minami 8 Jonishi, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0042, Japan

Logistics before visiting Niseko Japan

Find cheap flights.
Air tickets are usually the bulk of your expenses. Set up an alert and snag cheap fares with Skyscanner.

Getting around Japan.
One of the most efficient ways to get around Japan is by its extensive train network, which includes its world famous bullet train. Get yourself a Japan Rail (JR) Pass to enjoy discounts on 1, 2, or 3 week passes.

Find the best accommodation.
Book a place ahead of time to get good rates. Booking.com has transparent fees and excellent rates.

Handy travel guide.
For the old school kid in you, get a travel guide book and get lost exploring the city.

Photos.
Your mobile phone can do a pretty good job, but if you need an upgrade, we recommend the Sony A6000 (US) (International)

Travel insurance.
You don’t need us to teach you to be a responsible adult, do you? Get a quote here.

Planned for you activities in Niseko.
Need a guide to show you and your group around? Lots of operators here to choose from here. You know who they are and how they are reviewed.

More resources to help you.
What other useful travel resources we use when we book our trips.