Ganso Ramen Yokocho Sapporo — Restaurant in Sapporo

After researching online, I wanted to see and eat in the Ramen Alley. We visited in August 2017 and walked the alley down and back a few times deciding which one we were going to eat at. I had seen on TV where Anthony Bourdain ate at one of these ( which is the one at the start of the alley and his photo is in the window) but many reviews weren't that favourable about the hospitality so I wanted to try one of the others. We decided on I Chi Kura towards the other end of the alley on the left. We were greeted as we walked in by the chef and as my son speaks Japanese they exchanged a few words about where we were from. We were provided with free ice water while we decided and the chef was happy for me to take a photo of him cooking our Ramen. I chose Salt Ramen with butter and corn 🌽@ 950 yen .Our order was his first for the night as it didn't open until 5 pm but we only waited for our meal for 5-10 minutes. Like most of these places, they only seat about 6-8 people at a time. I was very impressed with size and flavour and it was really delicious. The chef wished me well and said he hoped I had a nice trip in English. He was very welcoming and would be helpful to you, if you were visiting without any Japanese language. I am more than happy to recommend I Chi...

I was expecting a long alley filled with ramen shops and people. But in my winter visit, the place was quiet, some of the restaurants were closed, some are full packed and some are not. But the businesses are still busy. Menu are somewhat similar, maybe just a difference in some ingredients, but the bases are same, portion size more or less same as well, but the taste could differ insignifacntly from store to store. The one we went into has just been emptied and looking at the people who went out, they seemed to be satisfied so we went in. The ramen was very good 👍👍👍 portion size was excellent and we had a perfect experience. The chef was very nice and courteous, the restaurant was small, bar type, and can only accommodate at least 8 people at the same time. I wished though the restaurant had hot tea bec it was -2 outside and it would compliment the ramen better than cold water. But we didn't ask if they have so I'm not taking it as a negative. My 4 yr old liked the ramen and finished 3/4s of the her order. All in all, I would recommend visiting the area and try the ramen, at least 2 to 3 times in a row to really find your favorite. The alley is close to the...

I remember being on my flight back from Vietnam in the spring, watching a Anthony Bourdain No Reservations episode in Sapporo on the 10 inch TV on the back of a headrest. “Damn I would love to go there,” I said to myself as he slurped Sapporo style ramen while describing how it’s served with corn and butter.

That summer I met with a friend who detailed how he was playing basketball in Sapporo next year. The connection clicked for me, and he said to come visit anytime. “Don’t play with me I’m king pull up…” I responded.

Fast forward to winter and I found myself in the famous Ramen Alley in Sapporo, slurping a bowl of Sapporo style ramen with corn and butter. It’s funny how life works like that sometimes.

I went to a couple different spots here out of 17 different ramen shops, but my favorite was Teshikaga Ramen. It was the best bowl of ramen I’ve ever had, and in the purest ramen weather. Cold weather where you can barely feel your nose while the snow falls lightly outside. It was spiritual.

There’s even a sign on one of the restaurants that reads “Anthony Bourdain came to the here,” which cracked me up. RIP Legend.

IG @jnov_ Tiktok...