Most travellers have placed popular Japanese cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto on their bucket list, but we reckon that Hokkaido—an enchanting island located on the northernmost of Japan—is too worthy of being listed on one of the must-visit destinations in Japan.

Most holidaymakers head to Hokkaido for winter sports, but the food is worth a special trip too. And you might actually already be somewhat familiar with Hokkaido’s food without realising it.

Let’s start with Singaporeans’ obsession with Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts. Additionally, we are also pretty damn sure you have had a Sapporo draught beer or a Miso Ramen. Well, here are 8 Types Of Hokkaido Food that you must try if you haven’t.

#1 CHEESE TART

Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts took Singapore by storm in 2016 and the craze is still ongoing. Indeed, there has been an explosion in the number of F&B leaders in Singapore offering this treat. No surprise there.

But nothing beats the real deal, i.e. having Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts in Hokkaido itself. Fluffy cheese mousse is filled in a cookie-like shortcut pastry and then baked to perfection.

The rich and creamy cheese filling is actually made from three different types of cheese. You can choose to eat these baked products when they are fresh from the oven or chilled.

#2 GENGHIS KHAN

Named after a famous historical figure, Genghis Khan is one of Hokkaido’s iconic local dishes. The meal is essentially a lamb barbeque, where thinly sliced mutton (which might be pre-marinated) are grilled alongside vegetables such as asparagus, bean sprouts and ginger.

For maximum satisfaction, cook the freshly procured lamb meat to rare or medium rare. This doneness is said to bring out the meat’s best flavour whilst retaining a certain degree of moisture in the flesh. To reduce the gaminess, dip the cooked meat into the special sauce.

#3 KING CRAB

Hokkaido is renowned for its superbly fresh seafood, which brings us to our next point: Don’t leave Hokkaido until you have tried their King Crabs! The King Crab is so massive that its leg could easily be served as a main dish. Not even kidding. You can have it raw or boiled.

Hokkaido’s surrounding cold waters have made it extremely conducive to rear King Crabs, hence explaining the abundance of these huge crustaceans. It is worth mentioning that the tender crabmeat easily falls out of the shell and fresh flesh should taste sweet and succulent with a hint of ocean saltiness!

#4 MISO RAMEN

While most of us are familiar with Tonkotsu Ramen, it is Miso Ramen that you have to try when in Hokkaido.

As its name suggests, the Miso Ramen’s broth is flavoured with soybean paste. The end result? A rich brownish soup topped with either roast or minced pork.

Do bear in the mind that every eatery has a different recipe for its broth and toppings, but the common ingredients that you would find in most bowls of Miso Ramen across Hokkaido would be ajitsuke tamago, butter, bamboo shoots, scallions, nori sheet and heaps of corn!

Source: Shiroi Kobito

#5 SHIROI KOBITO COOKIES

Shiroi Koibito is one of Hokkaido’s most popular souvenirs and has been around since 1976. When directly translated, its Japanese name means ‘white lover’.

The snack comprises a sheet of smooth, creamy white chocolate sandwiched between freshly baked langue de chat biscuits. With texture consistency and fine calibration of cookie-to-chocolate ratio, you are guaranteed an overwhelming sense of pleasure from each bite as the cookie crumbles on your tongue.

In Hokkaido, fans should visit its factory, where you are allowed to observe the production process from a viewing gallery.

Source: Welcome To Sapporo

#6 SAPPORO BEER

Sapporo Beer is the oldest brand of beer in Japan and it was founded in 1876.

Made from only the highest quality ingredients, Sapporo Beer is characterised by a crisp, refreshing flavour and a clean finish. The Sapporo Beer has four different products, namely Black, Premium, Light and Reserve.

Today, the Sapporo Beer is the most well-known Asian beer in the US.

#7 SOFT SERVE

Thanks to the influx of foreign gourmet brands, Singaporeans are no stranger to soft serve. However, don’t ditch the idea of eating soft serve just because we have it on our sunny island.

Hokkaido is the biggest producer of milk in Japan, thereby making Hokkaido the best place in Japan to consume milk soft serve. The Yubari Melon Soft-serve Ice Cream is also a must-try dessert!

Source: Carman Citta

#8 YUBARI MELON

The Yubari Melon might look unassuming, but the hybrid cantaloupe cultivar is actually an incredibly expensive fruit.

A standard melon would cost anywhere between US$50 to US$100. The Yubari Melon’s juicy orange-coloured melon flesh is fragrant and delightfully sweet.

Fun fact: These perfectly round luxurious treats are grown in greenhouses on the hills of Yubari.