Chefs at each of our restaurants have developed their own range of specials to convey what each region means to them. As we arrive in Sapporo, here are just a few of the dishes you can expect to find.
One of the most famous dishes from Sapporo is their signature Miso Ramen. In fact, they say, once you’ve tried your first Sapporo-style ramen, you’ll never look at ramen in the same way again! Miso ramen made its debut in Sapporo in 1958 at the Aji no Sanpei restaurant in the city. Developed by owner Morito Ohmiya, this traditional serve uses crinkly, medium thick noodles, designed to hold their shape well in the broth.
Cheltenham will be presenting their own Sapporo Ramen, with braised pork belly and mince, bamboo shoots, spring onion, sweetcorn and tea-stained boiled egg, and of course noodles, in a rich miso broth.
Another Sapporo signature is Soup Curry. This 70’s fusion classic, was inspired by Chinese and Korean medicinal soups blended with curry from Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India. First created in a small café at the centre of the city – which still trades to this day as a Soup Curry restaurant called Ajanta, the dish gained huge popularity, with hundreds of Soup Curry restaurants opening right across the city. Clifton will be serving their Sapporo Soup Curry packed with chicken and mixed vegetables in a classic rich curry sauce.
They’ll also be serving a very tasty Butadon. Originating from Obihiro on the Island of Hokkaido, of which Sapporo is the capital city, Butadon can now be found the length and breadth of Japan. It’s a simple dish from simple beginnings. Traditionally served as stamina food to farmers and labourers hard at work. Clifton’s Butadon features braised pork belly served on seasoned rice with pak choi, cabbage, pickled ginger, Japanese pickles and a tea-stained boiled egg.
Whilst Solihull will be recreating a version of the regions famous Jingisukan or Genghis Khan, featuring grilled lamb and vegetables on top of seasoned rice.
Sapporo is also blessed with a glut of fantastic fish and seafood on it’s doorstep, so many of our specials also show our love of the sea.
Starting with the colourful Kaisendon that Battersea has on its menu – a traditional dish born from the fishing traditions of Hokkaido. It literally means ‘fresh fish rice bowl’ and essentially represents the catch of the day from the abundant waters that surround this prefecture. Battersea serves their Kaisendon with salmon, tuna, scallops, sea bream, sea urchin, prawns and ikura.
To their crispy Kani Korokke – fresh snow crab croquettes served golden brown with a light tobiko mayo.
Coveted by seafood lovers the world over, Hokkaido is also famed for it’s plump, sweet and juicy scallops, and you’ll find delicious scallop dishes at our Battersea, Cambridge and Clifton restaurants.
Hokkaido is also known as the diary capital of Japan, and we’ll be presenting two rich dairy desserts as part of our Sapporo specials menu.
A delicious Matcha Burnt Cheesecake in Battersea, and a traditional Matcha & Vanilla ice cream in Cheltenham.
Just a few of the dishes that you’ll find as specials in our restaurant this month – just look out for the Passport to Japan stamp, or ask a member of the team.
