Menya Keserasera

Menya Keserasera is located in a residential area in Taihei, Kita-ku, Sapporo, about a 10-minute walk from Yurigahara Station (six stops from JR Sapporo Station on the Gakuen Toshi Line). This renowned establishment, a regular on the "Ramen HOKKAIDO 100 Famous Shops" list and boasting a high Tabelog rating of 3.67, is celebrated for its tori-paitan ramen (creamy chicken broth ramen). The most distinctive feature is its incredibly creamy and rich tori-paitan soup, which resembles a potage. It's elegantly profound, brimming with savory depth (koku), and exceptionally rich in chicken flavor. The ramen is uniquely crafted to offer a perfect balance of both rich (kotteri) and light (assari) qualities. The signature Shio Ramen (salt ramen), priced at 980 yen, is the most popular choice, allowing you to directly savor its exquisite umami. Its taste is refined, with the saltiness mellow rather than sharp, allowing the chicken's richness and mildness to gently unfurl. The Shoyu Ramen (soy sauce ramen), also 980 yen, blends the tori-paitan with a fragrant soy sauce, resulting in a smooth, easy-to-drink broth characteristic of Sapporo's tori-paitan style. The Miso Ramen, at 1000 yen, also uses a tori-paitan base, delivering a rich yet distinctively creamy flavor without any off-notes – a unique approach that repeat customers often call their "my best." This trio of ramen achieves a remarkable level of perfection. Noodles can be changed to either Nishiyama Ramen's yellow curly noodles (medium-thick) or straight noodles, both offering a texture that beautifully coats the soup. The chashu (braised pork) is large, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth, popular for its soft texture that gently dissolves. Toppings are a minimal and simple combination of menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), green onions, and daikon sprouts, designed to elevate the soup and noodles as the main stars. The yuzu kosho (yuzu pepper paste) on the table is a popular addition for Shio Ramen, offering a delightful change of flavor (ajinhen) and extending the enjoyment of the elegant tori-paitan in the latter half of the meal. The operations are marked by excellent teamwork between the owner and staff, with brisk communication like "Shio will be ready in 1 minute" or "Customer arriving," ensuring a quick turnover even with a queue. An efficient system allows customers to hand over their meal tickets (shokken) while waiting in line, resulting in ramen being served almost simultaneously with being seated. The owner's gentle demeanor and polite service are also key factors in the shop's popularity. Though slightly removed from central Sapporo, Menya Keserasera is one of Kita-ku's foremost establishments, well worth a special visit.