Sapporo, the largest city in the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, is an area that is famous for its premium and fresh seafood. One of the most popular places to enjoy the local cuisine is the Nijo Seafood Market. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of seafood stalls and restaurants serving up some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in the city, and probably in the country for that matter.
If you’re a foodie and looking for the best places to eat at the Nijo Seafood Market, look no further! In this article, you will be fully strapped with some of the must-try restaurants and stalls that you should consider a visit on your next trip to Sapporo.
1. DONBE | Seafood Donburi
Among a seemingly never ending array of places that serve seafood donburi, a seafood rice bowl, which is claimed to be Nijo Market specialty, DONBE (丼兵衛) is seen to be one of the most populars. Frequently selling out all dishes in the menus before their stated closing time is a testament to its popularity. Visiting early and having their number 1 bowl, Manzoku-don, as breakfast is highly recommended! See a full review and things to know before visiting DONBE here.
Quick Info About DONBE:
Address:〒060-0053 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Johigashi, 2 Chome−8
Hours:7AM-2:30PM (Everyday)
Price/dish or set menu: ¥1,180 - ¥4,800 (excluding side menus)
2. Kondo Noboru Shoten | Seafood Donburi
Image Source: Google Map
Located right next to the DONBE, in the northeastern corner of the market, Kondo Noboru Shoten (近藤昇商店 / 寿司処 けいらん) is a restaurant that has received a fair amount of good reviews towards their seafood rice bowls. In addition to the kaisendon, the store also has a pretty wide range of seafood servings from an alone sushi set to a fancy sashimi platter bemusing your finger for which to pick for the day!
Quick Info About Kondo Noboru Shoten:
Address: 2 Chome Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
Hours: 8AM-3:30PM (Everyday)
Price/dish or set menu: ¥800 - ¥13,000 (excluding side menus)
3. Fujita | Seafood Restaurant
Image Source: Google Map
If soaking in the dynamic of a Japanese morning market is what you are looking into, Fujita (味処 ふざた) is the place you should head to. Located in the heart of the market, Fujita is a tiny but zestful seafood corner serving freshly prepared marine delicacies such as king crab, assorted shellfish, sea urchin, and mackerel among others.
Quick Info About Fujita:
Address: 〒060-0053 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Johigashi, 1 Chome−8
Hours: 9AM - 3PM (Closed on Wednesday & Thursday)
4. Ta Ke E Sushi | Sushi Stall
Image Source: Google Map
Another dine-in-the-market spot, Ta Ke E Sushi (たけ江鮨) is situated right on the curb of the main alley where you can closely observe the chef slicing the sushi-top of the day within a head turning distance. The eatery has only 4 seats and diners must voluntarily eat with shoppers relentlessly passing by their backs. It may sound skeptical but the fare created by the chef at Ta Ke E looks very worth an experience!
Quick Info About Ta Ke E Sushi:
Address: 〒060-0053 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Johigashi, 1 Chome−８
Hours: 7AM - 3PM (Closed Tuesday-Thursday)
5. Donburi Chaya | Seafood Donburi
If you miss out on all the kaisendon served in the morning in many restaurants here, don’t feel heart-broken yet, there are loads for you to try at Donburi Chaya (どんぶり茶屋). The eatery is located only a few steps away from the Fujita grilling place making it one of the spots that immerses fully in the fuzzy charm of the Nijo Market. It offers a range of seafood bowls featuring a mix of fresh seafood like tuna, salmon, squid, and shrimp. The seafood served on top of a bed of rice also comes with a piece of dry nori imprinted with the restaurant’s name and logo, making it a visually appealing dish.
Quick Info About Donburi Chaya:
Address: 〒060-0053 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Johigashi, 1 Chome−7 二条市場
Hours: 7AM - 5PM (Everyday)
Price/dish or set: ¥1,480 - ¥3,480 (excluding side menu)
6. Kitchen Nagamori | Syokudo and Teishoku
Image Source: Google Map
This seafood-selling-in-the-front-eating-in-the-back restaurant seemed to be very appealing among groups of tourists who try to avoid the crowds. It is located in the less busy area of the market, so the restaurants’ visitors can enjoy a delicious bowl of kaisendon in peace.
Quick Info About Kitchen Nagamori:
Address: 1 Chome-8 Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
Hours: 7AM - 3PM (Everyday)
Price/dish or set: ¥1,800 - ¥4,500 (excluding side menus)
7. Nijo Market Ohiso | Seafood Donburi
Image Source: Google Map
Ohiso (二条市場 大磯) is one of the few seafood donburi restaurants that operates after 5PM. The shop’s menu includes over thirty kinds of kaisendon with possible toppings including blue king crab and tuna, but if you crave for a more vibrant selection, opt for the popular Sanshoku Donburi which covers a colorful meal of salmon roe, sea urchin, and red king crab.
Quick Info About Ohiso:
Address: 2 Chome Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
Hours: 7AM - 9PM (Breaktime 3-5PM), Closed on Wednesday
Price/dish or set: ¥1,800 - ¥3,800 (excluding side menus)
8. Daiichi Kaisenmaru | Seafood Donburi
Image Source: Google Map
Another haven for seafood rice bowl lovers, this 8 seater restaurant Daiichi Kaisenmaru (第一海鮮丸) is seen to be one of the hottest spots in Nijo Market, particularly during holiday season such as New Year. The warm service of a lovely couple who run the place seems to be the source, and there are many reviews endorsing that their delicious creation is worth the wait.
Quick Info About Daiichi Kaisenmaru:
Address: 1 Chome Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
Hours: 7AM - 2PM, Closed on Wednesday
Price/dish or set: ¥1,200 - ¥4,900 (excluding side menus)
9. Washokutosushino nijō | Japanese cuisine and sushi
Image Source: Google Map
If you’re looking for a place to try a little bit of everything, then Washokutosushino nijō (和食と鮨の に条) which translates to Japanese cuisine and sushi Nijo is the perfect spot for you. This seafood eating house offers a variety of seafood dishes, including grilled crab, mini-sized kaisendon, and sushi. You can choose from a variety of dishes and create your own seafood feast.
Quick Info About Washokutosushino nijō:
Address: 2 Chome Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
Hours: 11AM - 10PM, Closed on Wednesday
Price/dish or set: ¥2,310 - ¥5,500 (excluding side menus)
10. Oguma Shoten | Seafood Donburi
Picture Source: Oguma Shoten Website
Located on the Soseigawa-doti Ave, Oguma Shoten (小熊商店 海鮮丼屋) is a tiny but cozy kaisendon restaurant where a view of the majestic Sapporo TV Tower can be seen right outside its door. What makes the house unique compared to other seafood rice bowl serving spots is its delightful soft-serve ice-cream that comes with milk, melon, and mixed flavor. Looking for the giant ice-cream cone perching on the walkway to know that you have arrived at the right place.
Quick Info About Oguma Shoten:
Address: 〒060-0053 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Johigashi, 1 Chome−８
Hours: 7:30AM - 2:30PM (2:00 Last Order), Closed on Tuesday
Price/dish or set: ¥1,180 - ¥4,580 (excluding side menus)
11. Darumaken | Ramen Restaurant
Picture Source: Darumaken Instagram
Even if this may look a little odd to include a ramen restaurant on a seafood rec list, however, I feel obligated to mention Darumaken of the Nijo Market (本物札幌ラーメンの元祖 だるま軒). For one reason, this ramen eating house is proclaimed to be “One & Only” authentic Sapporo ramen with over sixty years of history making it hard to miss out when exploring the area.
Quick Info About Darumaken:
Address: 1 Chome Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
Hour: 10AM - 2PM, Closed on Thursday
Price/dish or set: ¥680 - ¥1,250 (excluding side menus)
12. Timeout | Izakaya Restaurant
If you are looking for a cozy space inside Nijo market to hang around after dark, I recommend checking out Timeout (新二条市場タイムアウト). Located in the indoor section of the market, this izakaya (a type of Japanese bar) restaurant serves up mouthwatering grills and delicious drinks in a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
Quick Info About Timeout:
Address: 1 Chome-5-1 Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
Hour: 12PM - 12AM (Fri-Sun), 5PM - 12AM (Mon-Thur)
13. Komichi | Ice Cream Shop
Picture Source: Komichi Instagram
After an intense seafood indulging quest at Nijo Market, what can be a better way for completing it by filling your extra void with a cone of joy: ice cream. And Komichi (コミチ) is the place that can perfectly fulfill your trip to the market. The shop serves ice cream made with Hokkaido’s pasteurized milk, and you can even add fruity toppings such as strawberry, Yubari melon, and grape, which are prominent products of the island too!
Quick Info About Komichi:
Address: 〒060-0053 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Johigashi, 1 Chome
Hour: 9:30AM - 4PM (Everyday)
Price: ¥400 - ¥900
All in all, the Nijo Seafood Market is a foodie’s paradise, with so many delicious seafood options to choose from. Whether you’re a sushi lover or a kaisendon enthusiast, there is something for everyone. So, next time you’re in Sapporo, be sure to visit these restaurants and stalls, and experience the best fare the city has to offer!
Map of Places Mentioned in This Post
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Last Update: October 18, 2023