Soup Curry: The Soul Food of the North – HOKKAIDO LOVE!
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Not many people seem to know, but Hokkaido, which is usually known for ramen, is also known throughout Japan for a unique spin on curry. As you can infer from its name, soup curry is loved not only for its soupiness but also its light texture. This great northern soul food is believed to have originated as Yakuzen Curry (literally meaning “medicinal curry”) in the 1970s at the Sapporo-based cafe Ajanta. However, don’t let the word “medicine” scare you away. Soup curry is delicious and unlike any other curry sold in Japan. The soup broth is typically made with traditional Chinese medicinal spices and topped with chopped vegetables like green pepper, eggplant, and pumpkin. Along with these ingredients, the main protein will vary between restaurants, and different shops will include things like chicken, beef, shrimp, scallops, and more. Sapporo is said to be home to over 200 soup curry specialty shops, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one that matches your tastes.

Sapporo