Sapporo Junren Sapporo Main Branch: A Hot and Rich Miso World Beyond the Lard Film

🍜What is Sapporo Junren?

Sapporo Junren (Junren) is a renowned restaurant that cannot be overlooked when discussing the history of Sapporo Miso Ramen. It originated from "Sumire," opened in 1964 by founder Akiko Muranaka, and later split into the famous lineages of "Junren (Junren)" and "Sumire."

Junren's most prominent feature is the thick layer of lard (rendered pork fat) that covers the soup surface. This oil film traps the heat of the soup, keeping it piping hot until the very last sip. The rich depth of miso combined with the overwhelming heat generated by the lard—this is what defines "Junren's Miso."

Ren

When it comes to Sapporo Miso Ramen, it's all about "Sumire" and "Junren." Knowing the relationship between these two names makes the history of Sapporo ramen much more interesting. Both are famous restaurants that originated from the same root.

🏠Restaurant Atmosphere — Quiet, Clean, and Solemn

Upon entering, the first thing you notice is an unexpected quietness. Cooking proceeds silently in the kitchen, and staff speak only when necessary. It's not a place for lively chatter; rather, a somewhat solemn atmosphere pervades. It feels like a place to seriously engage with a bowl of ramen.

Both the counter and table seats are kept very clean. Condiments on the table are neatly arranged, creating an overall clean impression. While the ramen itself is a hearty bowl rich in oil, the interior is, in contrast, meticulously maintained. Also, used tissues should be discarded in the trash cans located at the base of the seats, not left on the table.

🚶From Arrival to Seating — The Flow of the Queue

Upon arriving at 12:35 PM on a weekday, there were about 20 people in line. It took approximately 40 minutes from then until seating. Junren is a popular restaurant with a constant queue, but the turnover isn't particularly fast. This is due to the soup being extremely hot, requiring more time to eat, and many customers ordering the fried rice set, which extends meal duration. Even when we left after 1 PM, about 10 people were still waiting, so be prepared for a certain amount of waiting time.

1. Join the queue outside the restaurant. The line extends along the pathway in front of the shop.
2. There is a touch-panel ticket machine midway through the queue. Purchase your ticket when it's your turn.
3. After purchasing tickets, continue waiting in line.
4. A staff member will come to collect your tickets. They will ask for the number of people in your party.
5. During busy times, you might be asked, "Is the counter okay?" If you prefer a table, the wait may be longer.
6. You will be guided to your seat when one becomes available. Water will be brought to your seat.

Zack

It's a 40-minute wait for weekday lunch. Be prepared for even longer on weekends. You'll pass the ticket machine while queuing, so it's a good idea to think about what to order beforehand to make things smoother.

🎰How to Use the Touch-Panel Ticket Machine

Junren's ticket machine is a touch-panel type, allowing you to select from categories with photos. Unlike older button-style machines, choosing by looking at pictures makes it relatively easy for foreigners. However, the display is only in Japanese. Please refer to the menu table below.

Mei

The lard film means there's almost no steam rising from the soup, making it a great bowl for photos! It has an amazing visual impact, so it's definitely Instagram-worthy. But if you take too long to get the perfect shot, your noodles will get soggy, so be quick!

🔥The Meal — Miso Chashumen

Soup — Rich Miso Hidden Beneath a Blazing Hot Lard Film

The first thing that catches your eye is the layer of lard completely covering the soup surface. It looks deceptively calm with almost no steam rising, but this is a trap. The lard traps the heat of the soup, making it extremely hot despite appearances. There's a risk of scalding if you drink it suddenly, so be sure to blow on it to cool it down before bringing it to your mouth.

The heat provided by this lard film is one of the reasons for Junren's delicious miso. Even after eating for a while, the soup's temperature barely drops. You can enjoy piping hot miso soup right down to the last drop.

The flavor is rich yet mild. You can distinctly taste the depth of the miso, but with a rounded, smooth profile. It has a strong kick from garlic and ginger. This ginger, combined with the heat of the lard, warms you up from the inside as you eat. Please refer to the FAQ for more on garlic.

Noodles — Thick, Wavy Noodles that Stand Up to Rich Miso

The noodles are thick and have a firm chewiness. They are robust noodles with a distinct wheat flavor that aren't overshadowed by the rich miso soup at all. Their wavy shape picks up the soup well, so with every slurp, the umami of the miso spreads throughout your mouth.

Chashu — Rich, Tender, Flavorful

The thick chashu (braised pork belly) served with the Chashumen is exquisite. It has a rich sweetness from the fat, yet it's so tender it easily breaks apart with chopsticks. It's well-seasoned and pairs perfectly with the soup.

However, with the lard-rich soup plus the oiliness of the chashu, the meal as a whole becomes quite heavy. While it's incredibly satisfying, those who aren't accustomed to oily meals might find it a bit much. In such cases, choosing Shoyu (soy sauce-based) or Shio (salt-based) ramen would be a good decision.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

🚃Access

From Sapporo Station, take the Namboku Line subway southbound towards Makomanai. You'll arrive at Sumikawa Station in about 12 minutes. From Sumikawa Station, walk straight south along Hiragishi-dori (street) for about 10 minutes. It may look a bit far on the map, but it's a straightforward walk on a single road, and you'll arrive faster than you expect.

If you're driving, there are parking lots across from and in front of the store, totaling 22 spaces. During off-peak hours, there is usually ample parking available.

📋Shop Information

🎯Who This Shop Is For — And Who It Might Not Be For

Summary

Sapporo Junren is a famous restaurant where you can experience the true essence of Sapporo Miso Ramen. The blazing hot soup trapped by a film of lard, the rich and mild depth of miso, the robust thick noodles with a hint of wheat, and the tender chashu—everything is substantial, offering overwhelming satisfaction in a single bowl.

If you're visiting Sapporo, this is one place you absolutely must include in your itinerary. Be prepared for a wait, but it's a bowl that's truly worth it. Just be mindful of the garlic and any plans you have for the next day!

After finishing my meal and stepping outside, I realized I didn't feel cold at all, even in Sapporo's still chilly air. That's when it hit me: the blazing hot soup, garlic, and ginger from Junren's ramen had warmed me right to my core.

Visited & Verified by Our Team

This article was written by the Ramen Gateway editorial team after an actual visit to the shop in March 2026, experiencing everything from queuing to eating. All photos were also taken during this visit.