Menya Yukikaze Susukino

Menya Yukikaze Susukino Branch, located in the heart of Susukino's entertainment district, a 5-10 minute walk from Susukino Station. It's a popular ramen shop, selected for the Ramen HOKKAIDO Hyakumeiten (Top 100 Ramen Shops in Hokkaido), and the first name that comes to mind when mentioning miso ramen in Susukino. A large queue of over 50 people is a common sight in the evenings, making it a central miso ramen destination in Sapporo. Its greatest feature is the rich soup, a unique blend of three types of miso combined with tonkotsu (pork bone), tori-gara (chicken bone), sababushi (dried mackerel flakes), and tori-paitan (creamy chicken broth). This results in a distinctive finish that is subtly sweet, balancing umami and richness. The signature Noko Miso Ramen (Rich Miso Ramen) at 1200 yen features a mellow and rich composition based on tori-paitan (creamy chicken broth) blended with miso, garnering attention as a modern reinterpretation rather than a traditional Sapporo miso ramen. It has a strong viscosity that perfectly coats the noodles, with the mellow tori-paitan (creamy chicken broth) subtly overshadowing the miso, creating a unique balance. The noodles are Nishiyama Seimen's yellow, medium-thick, wavy noodles, known for their strong chewiness, firm elasticity, and delicious texture. The toppings are a luxurious lineup: plenty of white spring onions, a little fried onion, tender and generous chashu (sliced pork), minced meat, kikurage (wood ear mushrooms) (an unusual addition for Sapporo miso ramen), and ajitama (seasoned egg). The kikurage, in particular, are thick and large, a delightful element for those who enjoy them. In addition to the signature Rich Miso, the menu offers a wide range of options including Miso Ramen (1000 yen), Spicy Miso Ramen, Shoyu (soy sauce), and Shio (salt), attracting many repeat customers who enjoy comparing different flavors. You can also enjoy classic Sapporo-style arrangements with toppings like butter and corn. Operating until late at night (until 4 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 3 AM from Monday to Thursday), it's a popular spot for shime-ramen (ramen as the final meal) after drinks in Susukino. The gyoza (dumplings) on the side are also popular, with many customers ordering them as a set with ramen. The ordering method is unique: there are two queues outside the store, one for "waiting for meal tickets" and one for "waiting for entry." First, customers queue for meal tickets, are called, purchase a meal ticket from the vending machine at the entrance, and then join the queue for entry. The shop is fully cashless (accepting cash, credit cards, e-money, and QR code payments), designed to be easily accessible for international travelers.