When traveling, many people want to start their day with a delicious and satisfying local meal — and Sapporo offers several great options. Here are four recommended breakfast spots that open early in the morning, all easily accessible from central Sapporo before heading out to explore the city
目次
- 1 Chinese Restaurant in Sapporo Central Wholesale Market“Asa kara Chuuka Manfuku” (朝から中華 まんふく)
- 2 Freshly Made, Soft and Warm Onigiri“Nigirimeshi” (にぎりめし)
- 3 Authentic Okinawan soul food, made with passion and care“Okiraku Parlor Happy Taco Rice” (沖楽パーラー ハッピータコライス)
- 4 All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku in the Morning“Ushinoya Main Branch” (牛乃家 本店)
Chinese Restaurant in Sapporo Central Wholesale Market
“Asa kara Chuuka Manfuku” (朝から中華 まんふく)
Sapporo Central Wholesale Market, often referred to as “the kitchen of Sapporo,” is a bustling hub where you can feel the lively atmosphere from early in the morning. “Asa kara Chuuka Manfuku” opened on February 9, 2024, inside the market. Shigeru Sato, the former head chef of the well-known Chinese restaurant “Hotei” in Sapporo (which closed at the end of 2023), has now opened this independent restaurant at the same location.
Owner Sato highly recommends the “Crab Fried Rice with Sea Urchin Fluffy Sauce.” This fried rice is made with snow crab meat and topped with a delicate sauce made from sea urchin broth and egg white meringue. The rich sea flavors of crab and sea urchin are perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the sauce and egg, creating a deep, harmonious taste.
“Madachi (Cod Milt) Mapo,” available seasonally from autumn to winter, has been a popular specialty of Chef Sato’s since his time at Hotei. “Sake Toba (Salmon) Fried Rice,” known for its savory aroma and rich salmon flavor, along with the classic “Crab Fried Rice” and “Shrimp Fried Rice,” are also highly recommended.
Chef Sato specializes in seafood-based Chinese dishes, using seafood broth and low oil content. His menus are particularly well-received due to the fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced directly from the market. Noodles and set menus start at around 1,000 JPY. Enjoy local Chinese cuisine while experiencing the lively atmosphere of the market, starting your day with a satisfying meal.
Freshly Made, Soft and Warm Onigiri
“Nigirimeshi” (にぎりめし)
Located on the west corner of Susukino Market, in the heart of downtown Susukino, is Meidai Nigirimeshi, a 24-hour onigiri shop. Onigiri, also known as Japanese rice balls, are a simple yet beloved comfort food. In Japan, many people enjoy onigiri as a quick breakfast, a light lunch, or a snack at any time of day. This popular spot is busy around the clock — whether it’s breakfast for early workers in Susukino, lunch for businesspeople, or a late-night bite after drinking.
The onigiri here are freshly made, warm, and hand-rolled to order. With a few exceptions, customers can choose between the classic “Shio Nigiri” (salted rice ball) and the popular “Shoyu Nigiri” (soy sauce rice ball). Manager Naoya Honma explains, “The best way to make onigiri is to gently grip the rice and seal it with nori (dried seaweed). It should melt in your mouth.” Since each rice ball is made to order, the shop is happy to accommodate requests — like adding a bit more salt for someone tired after a long day.
The most popular item on the menu is the “Tarako (salted cod roe) Butter Soy Sauce Nigiri”. The rich tarako butter blends perfectly with the sweet soy sauce rice, creating a wonderfully savory combination. Another standout is the “Miso Egg Yolk” (available only with soy sauce rice). The egg yolk, marinated in flavorful miso, has a soft texture that complements the rice beautifully. Pair either rice ball with a bowl of Tonjiru (pork miso soup), loaded with ingredients like daikon radish and burdock root, for a hearty and satisfying meal.
A variety of side dishes are also available, along with a selection of Oden — a traditional Japanese hot pot dish featuring ingredients like radish, fish cakes, and boiled eggs simmered in a light soy-based broth — served almost year-round. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast or enjoying a well-balanced dinner, Nigirimeshi offers something to satisfy every craving.
Authentic Okinawan soul food, made with passion and care
“Okiraku Parlor Happy Taco Rice” (沖楽パーラー ハッピータコライス)
“Okiraku Parlor Happy Taco Rice” opened on March 21, 2023, serving up Okinawan soul food like taco rice, tacos, and burritos. Conveniently located near Sapporo Dome and along the route to Takino Suzuran Hillside Park and Hiraoka Park, it’s a perfect stop for breakfast or a bite before heading out on an excursion.
The restaurant’s signature dish “Happy Taco Rice”, from which it takes its restraunt name, features spicy rice topped with cheese, vegetables, and original taco meat. The taco meat is made by stir-frying ground beef with about 10 different spices and letting it rest for a day to allow the flavors to meld.
Their tacos are a popular snack featuring taco meat, cheese, and vegetables served in a handmade corn flour shell. Unlike traditional Mexican tacos, where the shells are typically baked, Okinawan-style taco shells are deep-fried — making them crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
The burritos here are also unique. They’re hearty and satisfying, made with pork belly, chicken thigh, cheese, vegetables, and ketchup-seasoned rice, all pressure-cooked until tender and then wrapped in a thin, flour-based crust.
All three dishes come with an original tomato-based hot sauce that adds a spicy kick — use it to your liking for an extra burst of flavor.
Owners Motoi Osanai and his wife Sayano, both classmates from Otaru, run the shop together. Mr. Osanai, a former scuba diving instructor in Okinawa, decided to bring the flavors of the islands to Hokkaido. He continues to self-teach in order to refine his recipes. Ms. Osanai says with a smile, “Our food keeps getting tastier and tastier!
All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku in the Morning
“Ushinoya Main Branch” (牛乃家 本店)
Ushinoya, located near Tanukikoji Shopping Street in central Sapporo, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., offering customers the chance to enjoy yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) with gusto starting from the morning. The restaurant’s innovative “morning yakiniku” style has become particularly popular, and on some days, it fills up within minutes of opening.
If you’re in the mood for all-you-can-eat yakiniku, try the “Morning All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku”. For just 1,078 JPY, you can enjoy unlimited yakiniku for 60 minutes, including rice and hormone soup, plus a selection of 18 different types of meat such as salted hormone, pork ribs, chicken thighs, raw hearts, pork liver, and vegetables.
The meat is freshly purchased from a butcher in Iwamizawa, a city located about 40 kilometers from Sapporo, and hand-cut by expert butchers who carefully prepare it. The salted horumon is particularly popular, and the “Horumon Set Meal” (539 JPY) is also highly recommended.
