Keyaki Susukino

"Keyaki Susukino Honten" is located on Naka-dori in Susukino, about a 5-minute walk from Susukino Station. Established in 1999 as a specialty miso ramen shop, it is a representative Sapporo establishment consistently selected among the "Ramen Hyakumeiten" (Top 100 Ramen Shops). Its most distinctive feature is its unique miso style, which differs from the common "Jun-Sumi-kei" (a rich, oily, and intensely flavored Sapporo miso ramen). Instead of hitting you with intense heat and aromatic oil, it offers a soft yet profound flavor. The soup combines a pork bone and vegetable broth simmered for over 10 hours with a special miso tare (sauce) made from three types of blended miso (with white miso being prominent) and the sweetness of dissolved vegetables. The taste is rich but not heavy, with the savory aroma of stir-fried vegetables rising subtly like a breath. It strikes an exquisite balance with restrained saltiness and an aftertaste that is not overly heavy. The noodles are yellow, medium-thick, and wavy from Nishiyama Seimen, offering a slightly nostalgic sound when bitten and intertwining perfectly with the rich miso soup. The signature Miso Ramen (1200 yen) is generously topped with vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, chives, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, minced meat, menma (fermented bamboo shoots), and green onions, providing an enjoyable variety of textures. The Corn Butter Miso Ramen (1500 yen) is a classic Sapporo miso ramen combination that offers comforting warmth on a cold night. The Chashu Ramen (1700 yen) features three thick slices of pork shoulder loin, a delightful choice for meat lovers. Souvenir ramen sets are also available, allowing you to recreate the flavor at home, making them a popular purchase for tourists as a memory of Sapporo. Due to its central location in Susukino, it is highly popular, with queues of over 20 people forming outside during late-night hours, particularly when patrons seek "shime ramen" (ramen to conclude a night of drinking). Though compact with only 8 seats, it is a Susukino classic where miso ramen truly warms the body on a cold night.