Hokkai Shabu Shabu Susukino

The “taste of the north country” — “Kitaguni no Aji”, as it is proudly dubbed in Japanese — is perhaps exemplified best at Hokkai Shabu Shabu’s original branch, in the Susukino district of Hokkaido’s capital city, Sapporo. This Susukino eatery owes its popularity not just to its extremely accessible location — perfect for a hot, hearty meal to accompany a night of drinking or karaoke — but also to the quality of its food. Even among a smorgasbord of wildly famous eateries, Hokkai Shabu Shabu stands out in a blaze of neon lights as Sapporo’s original lamb shabu-shabu hotpot specialist. Flown in from New Zealand, the lamb is bursting with rich flavor, and lacks the typical gamey smell typically associated with mutton and lamb. Sliced so thin it melts in the mouth, the meat makes for a perfect pairing with the house’s secret sauce. The restaurant also offers seafood and other ingredients straight from Hokkaido, like plump, luscious snow crab legs and fat prawns. The meat may be gorgeous, but the view gives it a run for its money. Ask for a window seat to enjoy an elevated view over the neon lights of Susukino on a cold Sapporo night — the perfect accompaniment to a steaming pot of shabu-shabu.