Ame wa, Yasashiku

"Ame wa, Yasashiku" is located near Shiroishi Station in Shiroishi Ward, Sapporo City. This restaurant offers creative ramen that defies the conventions of Sapporo Miso Ramen, earning high praise as a regular on the Ramen HOKKAIDO Top 100 list and a silver award winner at the Ramen Walker Grand Prix Hokkaido 2025. Its most distinguishing feature is the signature "Shirokimo Niboshi" (White Liver Niboshi) ramen, which consists of a paste made from Hokkaido-raised chicken white liver, mushrooms, and soy milk, placed in the center of the bowl, resting on a Japanese-style dashi (broth) soup made solely from dried sardines (niboshi), shiitake mushrooms, and konbu (kelp). The standard way to enjoy it is to first savor the light and refined niboshi-flavored soup, then gradually mix in the liver paste as you eat, which enriches the flavor and transforms the texture into a rich, creamy mouthfeel. This two-stage flavor change is the greatest pleasure. Even those who dislike liver will find it free of any unpleasant taste, with the refreshing hint of shiso (perilla) adding an accent. The noodles are custom-made to pair well with the soup, available as medium-thick straight (for shoyu and miso) or medium-thin and slightly firm. Toppings include large slices of seared pork belly chashu (fragrant and smoky), thick gobo tempura (popular, soak in soup for texture and aroma), green onions, and shiso. Hidden beneath the liver paste is konbu (kelp), designed to add umami and texture. The signature Shirokimo Niboshi series offers a choice of four flavors: miso, shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), and karamiso (spicy miso), allowing repeat customers to enjoy comparing different tastes over multiple visits. The menu also includes the Walker Grand Prix Bronze-class "Tanrei (Shio)" (clear salt ramen) for 1150 yen, and the classic Sapporo Miso Ramen "SAPPORO Miso", offering a lineup that caters to both those seeking originality and those preferring traditional flavors. The side dish, Chashu Mayo Don (pork and mayonnaise rice bowl), combines the richness of mayonnaise with smoky chashu, and while preferences may vary, it's a highly satisfying set. The interior is a calm, stylish space resembling a cafe, creating a unique atmosphere unlike that of a typical ramen shop. Including its playful unique spelling of "Ramen" as "Ra-Ame-n" (using the character for rain), it is noted as a representative establishment of Sapporo's evolving ramen scene.