Niseko is widely popular because of its natural beauty and vast mountains that get covered with meters of powdery snow during winter. Visitors from around the globe travel to this winter wonderland – particularly from November to March – to experience some of the best ski pistes in the world.
On top of its fantastic ski and snow activities, warm food is also the best way to relish the winter holiday in Niseko. Whether you’re looking to fuel up for your next ski session or cap off an adventure-filled day, there’s nothing better than a filling meal to get you going. You’ll never run out of delectable meals to try in Niseko.
Every restaurant in Niseko, from local izakayas to Michelin-star establishments, takes advantage of the abundance of fresh ingredients and local produce from the Hokkaido region, ensuring each dish’s excellent quality and flavor.
If you’re planning to visit this winter, you don’t have to worry about the icy climate because Niseko is home to several restaurants that will delight your taste buds and keep you warm and cozy at the same time. Check out this list of the best dishes to keep you warm and satiated during your visit to Niseko.
Nabe
Nabemono, more commonly known as nabe, is warmth and comfort personified in a steaming bowl of soup. It is a hotpot dish cooked in a traditional clay pot, made with streaming dashi (savory broth), vegetables, tofu, and meat or seafood. It is usually served with a portable gas stove to keep it hot and steamy – perfect for a cold winter day.
Where to Eat
Niseko A-Nabeya is a nabe restaurant that’s changing its name to PIC-Dining in the coming 2022-2023 winter season. It offers delicious nabe made with fresh Hokkaido seafood and often paired with local sake and sashimi. However, if you want to level up the spice, check out Tsubara Tsubara’s soup curry nabe hotpot.
Shabu-Shabu
One of the most famous Japanese hotpot dishes, shabu-shabu, is made of thinly-sliced meat and fresh vegetables cooked in broth. The ingredients are usually served raw, and you can cook them in the broth at the table. The name shabu-shabu came from a Japanese onomatopoeia for “swish swish,” an ode to swishing and cooking the meat in the boiling broth before eating. It is often served with ponzu or sesame dipping sauces.
Where To Eat
Enjoy Akaru‘s homemade hotpot signatures, or try Niseko Sakura’s signature pork, wagyu, lamb, or lamb shabu-shabu that are best paired with sake or wine.
Sukiyaki
If you prefer something sweet and hearty, then you should try sukiyaki. Like nabe and shabu-shabu, sukiyaki is also a one-pot dish consisting of meat and vegetables simmered in broth and served piping hot on the table. However, sukiyaki is different because it is made from a sweet broth and served in a shallow iron pot. Once cooked, you can dip the meat and vegetables in beaten raw eggs for added flavor and texture.
Where to Eat
A-bu-cha 2 serves a wide selection of hotpots and local Hokkaido favorites in a cozy and spacious area. It is perfect for families because its sukiyaki and hotpot servings are good for two or more people. Similarly, Izakaya Sakae is a classic Japanese restaurant serving heartwarming and homey Japanese cuisine for over 50 years. Make sure to check out their Hokkaido Wagyu Sukiyaki!
Ramen
We cannot talk about Japanese cuisine without mentioning one of the most famous comfort dishes in the world – ramen! This warm and comforting noodle soup consists of a broth base, thin noodles, and a variety of toppings such as chashu, egg, scallions, sliced bamboo, and seaweed. The broth is often made of chicken broth seasoned with salt or soy sauce, but ramen broths made with miso and simmered pork bones are also crowd favorites.
Where To Eat
Ramen is one of Japan’s staple delicacies, so it’s no wonder that Niseko is home to many shops serving authentic Japanese ramen. Some well-known ramen joints in Niseko are Asahikawa Ramen Tozanken, Tam Tam Ramen, Kobito, and Tamashii. For a unique ramen experience, check out Niseko Ramen Kazahana, famous for its one-of-a-kind creamy potato ramen.
Udon
Another popular Japanese noodle dish is udon, made with thick and chewy wheat noodles in a light and delicate dashi-based broth. Because of its subtle flavor and straightforward ingredients, udon is the healthier noodle option. Udon can be served in a steaming bowl of soup or with various dipping sauces.
Where To Eat
Some of the most popular Niseko restaurants that serve delectable Udon dishes are Houzuki Udon, Yukitei Niseko, and Udon Gokoro.
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