Hokkaido Kani-Shogun SAPPORO — Restaurant in Sapporo

During my recent visit to Sapporo, I dined at Kani Shogun Sapporo Honten, a renowned crab restaurant located in the bustling Susukino district. The restaurant's prominent crab signage made it easy to locate, and its proximity to Susukino Station added to its convenience.

Upon arrival, I was greeted warmly by the staff and escorted to a private tatami room, which provided an intimate and traditional dining atmosphere. The menu showcased a variety of crab dishes, featuring King Crab, Snow Crab, and Horsehair Crab. Opting for the King Crab Kani-suki (hot pot style), I was delighted by the freshness and succulence of the crab meat. The experience culminated with a delectable zosui (rice porridge) made from the leftover broth, leaving a lasting impression on my palate.

The service throughout the meal was impeccable, reflecting the high standards of Japanese hospitality. The staff's attentiveness and the restaurant's comfortable seating arrangements, including options like counter seats, chair seats, and sunken kotatsu seating, enhanced the overall dining experience. Additionally, the establishment is child-friendly, offering amenities such as Moses baskets for infants.

The total cost for the meal was ¥31,000, which, considering the quality and variety of dishes, felt justified. However, it's worth noting that some patrons have found certain dishes, like the crab sashimi, to be an acquired taste, and the hot pot broth could benefit from a more robust flavor profile.

In conclusion, Kani Shogun Sapporo Honten offers a memorable dining experience for crab enthusiasts, combining fresh seafood with exceptional service in a traditional setting. While there is room for minor improvements in flavor intensity, the overall experience is commendable and worth the visit...

The spouse wanted to have a crab dinner and the hotel we were staying at recommended Hokkaido Kani Shogun.

ATMOSPHERE: You can’t dismiss the humongous crab plastered above the front door. After entering, shoes have to be removed. You’ll be walking on carpet within the restaurant and use communal slippers when using the restroom (a concern of mine that was calmed). You sit western-style at the table, so fret not.

Hamanasu- $140.00 (set) Meant to feed a single portion, my spouse and I shared this mainly due to preventive health concerns of mine. Here’s what it consisted of:

Crab Tofu Silky chunk of tofu topped with a tiny amount of shredded crab meat.

Hot Pot A shabu shabu pot of dashi with sides of bean sprouts, mushrooms, lettuce, a type of spinach I’ve never seen before, rice noodles, tofu and half of a skinny crab leg came to the table, which we combined and simmered. It had absolutely zero flavor.

Crab Sashimi Bleh, five sections of raw crab leg was not palatable for either of us. We tried a small piece but put the rest in the shabu shabu pot to cook.

Crab Sushi Three nigiri of crab leg pieces. Rice & wasabi with crab didn’t work for me.

Crab Tempura Two chunks of crab meat and eggplant. You can tempura anything and it’ll taste good.

Vinegared Crab One leg with vinegar on the side. We bypassed dipping it into the vinegar and enjoyed its natural salty flavor.

Grilled Crab Two legs, no butter to dip.

Rice Porridge They ran out, yet the table who sat after us received it.

SERVICE: Welcoming and friendly all around.

OVERALL: Overpriced and...

The Food: Boiled whole King Crab (not seafood boil style) Note1:the crab will be boiled then chilled.