I am a Japan-based writer, sharing amazing travel spots and Japanese food experiences.This article will make your dining experience in Sapporo even better!
Today’s topic is “JingisKan!”
In Hokkaido, there’s a traditional barbecue style known as “JingisKan.”
It’s a unique way of grilling lamb meat on a distinctive-shaped grill, representing one of Hokkaido’s signature culinary cultures.
In this time, we’re diving deeper than your regular tourist guide and introducing you to five JingisKan restaurants.We’ll cover places that tourists can comfortably visit and also ones highly rated by Sapporo locals, so if you’re curious, make sure to check them out.So, let’s get started!
No.1 YAMAGOYA
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The restaurant “Yamagoya” is a renowned establishment operated by the traditional restaurant “Suginome,” founded in 1963. What makes this place popular is the high-quality meat, the unlimited servings of vegetables like tomatoes, and the Ezo venison.
The healthy and lean Ezo venison, which has a reddish hue, was very easy for me, an American, to enjoy.
The sauce made with plenty of apples is also delicious!
Recommended Menu: Fresh Lamb for JPY1210
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YAMAGOYA
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Location and contact
TEL: 011-271-2853 (Reservations available)
Address: 1F, 5 Green Building, Nishi 4, Minami 4-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Nearest Station: 1-minute walk from Susukino Station
Opening Hours
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Saturdays and Sundays only
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays
*Last order is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed on Wednesdays
Ditails
Credit Card Payment: Available
English Menu: Yes
Budget: JPY 4000 to 5000
Recommended Menu: Fresh Lamb for JPY1210, Beer for JPY726
Seating: Counter only
Smoking: Entirely non-smoking
No.2 SHIBETSU BBQ
Situated in the renowned Sapporo shopping street known as Tanukikoji, you can easily find your way to the shop without getting wet in the rain. This place offers a chance to savor an especially rare variety of lamb meat, even among lamb options.
Though a bit pricier than your average JingisKan restaurant, the premium quality of the meat makes it a cost-effective choice. Whenever I host friends visiting Japan, I often take them to this restaurant.
They also provide children’s utensils, ensuring a worry-free experience even when you’re with kids.
Recommended Menu: Courses at JPY 4000, 6000, and 10000
SHIBETSU BBQ
Location and contact
TEL: 011-209-3210 Reservations Available
Address: Arcade, Nishi 7-chome, Minami 3-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, HokkaidoNearest Station: 8-minute walk from Odori Station
Opening Hours
Weekdays: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Last Order 10:30 PM)
Weekends & Holidays: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Last Order 10:30 PM)
Closed: Irregular Holidays
Ditails
Credit Card Payment: Accepted (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners)
English Menu: Yes
Budget: Starting from 8000 Yen
Recommended Menu: Courses at JPY4000, 6000, and 10000, 120-minute All-You-Can-Drink for JPY2000
Lamb Shoulder for 1353 Yen, Lamb Loin for 2728 Yen, Beer for 748 Yen
Seating: Tables available for 2 guests and larger groups
Smoking: Entirely non-smoking indoors, ashtray available at the entrance
No.3 POKKE
This place stands out with its overwhelmingly cost-effective all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink system. You can enjoy a basic JingisKan experience at a high level and an affordable price. The restaurant offers great flavors within this system and price range, and the cozy interior is perfect for families and groups.
Especially noteworthy is their delicious salted JingisKan.
Priced at around 4,000 yen, it’s safe to say that this restaurant offers a high level of satisfaction for both food and drinks, making it a top choice.
Recommended Menu: Course options include JPY3980
POKKE
Location and contact
TEL: 011-596-8929 Reservations Available
Address: 3F To Building, Nishi 3-chome, Minami 3-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Nearest Stations: 1-minute walk from Susukino and Toyosui Susukino Stations
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday, Holidays, and Days before Holidays: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM (Last Order: 12:30 AM)
Closed: Open every day, Closed on December 31 and January 1
Ditails
Credit Card Payment: Accepted (JCB, AMEX, VISA, Master, Diners)
English Menu: Not available
Budget: 3000-6000 Yen
Recommended Menu: Course options include JPY3980 (3 Types of Lamb + No Beer All-You-Can-Drink), JPY4000(Standard with Beer All-You-Can-Drink), JPY6000(Ezo Deer + 3 Types of Jingisukan with Beer All-You-Can-Drink)
Seating: Suitable for groups
Smoking: Non-smoking
No.4 ITADAKIMASU
Utilizing meat from their own ranch, this restaurant offers exceptional freshness and high quality at an affordable price point. While JingisKan is a Hokkaido specialty, locally sourced lamb meat from Hokkaido is actually quite rare; most places import lamb meat from overseas. In contrast, this restaurant delivers lamb meat from their own ranch, allowing them to offer the highest quality meat to us, the customers, at a reasonable price.
Similar to “Shibetsu Barbecue,” this is a place where you can experience a step up in JingisKan quality. While it’s aimed at those familiar with JingisKan, their English menu and kid-friendly options make it relatively accessible.
On a side note, the name of the restaurant, “Itadakimasu,” is a Japanese greeting before a meal. Try saying it with your hands together!
Recommended Menu: Jingisukan for JPY1078
ITADAKIMASU
Location and contact
TEL: Not available for reservations
Address: 6-1-6, Nishi 5-chome, Minami 5-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Nearest Station: 1-minute walk from Susukino Station
Opening Hours
11:30 AM – 11:00 PM (Last Order: 10:30 PM)
Closed: Open every day, Closed on December 31 and January 1
Ditails
Closed: Open every day
Credit Card Payment: Not available, Cash only
English Menu: Available
Budget: JPY6000-8000
Recommended Menu: Jingisukan for JPY1078, Draft Beer for JPY550, Non-Alcoholic Drinks for JPY396
Seating: Suitable for groups
Smoking: Non-smoking
No.5 DARUMA
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Since its founding in 1954, this iconic establishment has garnered high praise not just for the quality of its meat, but also for the unparalleled deliciousness of its unique sauce. Unlike all-you-can-eat style, here you’ll place orders for meat and vegetables with the counter staff. It’s a classic jingisukan experience where you focus on the meal, settle the bill when you’re done eating, and leave the restaurant. So, don’t expect the typical restaurant service or a leisurely dining experience.
While children are welcome, keep in mind that this place is usually packed with a queue waiting outside due to its counter seating only. To enjoy your meal comfortably, a family of three with a primary school-age child might be the maximum limit.
For solo travelers or groups of two or three adults, there might not be a better place than this to experience the traditional and fantastic world of jingisukan. While we’ve introduced the “Main Store” this time, there are also sister branches of Daruma. Some of these sister branches might be more spacious or have extended business hours, so be sure to check the video description for more details.
Recommended Menu: Jingisukan for JPY1280
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DARUMA
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Location and Contact
TEL: Not available for reservations
Address: 1F Crystal Building, Nishi 4-chome, Minami 5-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Nearest Station: 7-minute walk from Susukino Station
Opening Hours
Main Store: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Branches on June 4th and May 5th: 5:00 PM – 5:00 AM (next day)
Ditails
Credit Card Payment: Accepted (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners)
English Menu: Not available
Budget: JPY4000-6000
Recommended Menu: Jingisukan for JPY1280
Seating: Counter seating only
Smoking: Non-smoking
Tips for Enjoying Food More on Your Trip to Japan – jingis Khan
Have you found a restaurant you’d like to visit? Now, let me provide you with some useful information to enhance your jingisukan experience.
1.Tips for grilling jingisKan
Jingisukan plates have a unique shape, and the way you cook on them is a bit different from regular barbecue. First, place lard on the plate and wait for it to melt due to the heat. If you have vegetables, arrange them along the edges of the plate. Once the vegetables are arranged, use the top portion of the plate to grill the meat. This allows the vegetables to soak up the flavorful oils from the lamb or mutton. Yes, the distinctive shape of the plate is designed for this purpose.
2.Tips for eating well to the end
The key to a great jingisukan is the quality of the meat and the sauce. However, as you continue eating, the oil from the meat can overly dilute the flavor of the sauce. If you ever think, “The sauce is getting a bit oily,” don’t hesitate to call the staff over and request a sauce refill. By the way, in Japan, calling the staff over in restaurants is not considered rude; it’s a common practice. You can raise your hand or simply say “Sui Ma Sen” (excuse me) in Japanese when you want their attention. Many Japanese people are delighted when foreigners speak Japanese.
3.Jingiskan should be eaten for dinner.
I wouldn’t highly recommend having jingisukan for lunch. That’s because after eating jingisukan, you’ll carry more of its scent than you might imagine. It could be a challenge to enjoy fashionable cafes or shopping right after indulging in a heavy jingisukan lunch. Opting to enjoy Sapporo’s sightseeing during the day and savoring jingisukan to your heart’s content in the evening would be the best choice.
We will make your trip to Japan more fun!
Japan boasts its unique culinary culture, and Hokkaido, in particular, is renowned within the country for its delicious cuisine. On this blog, I’ll strive to provide you with detailed on-site information beyond what you’d find in typical guides. If you have any other inquiries about Hokkaido or other aspects, feel free to leave a request in the comments section.
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