GARAKU

GARAKU is one of Hokkaido’s legendary Soup Curry restaurants, and a favorite among Japanese diners. This time, I visited GARAKU The Main Store, the original branch in Susukino, which many say serves the best-tasting version. Not only does it retain the cozy atmosphere of the original wooden house, b...ut this branch also has exclusive dishes that you won’t find at other locations. What makes GARAKU different from typical Soup Curry is its aromatic broth, packed with spices without overpowering the natural flavors of the ingredients. The soup is simmered with chicken, vegetables, and various ingredients to bring out its natural sweetness, then enhanced with more than 20 different spices. It comes with both simmered and grilled vegetables, making it approachable even for those who don’t usually eat spicy food. The Main Store also offers exclusive dishes, including the ‘Marina Seafood Bowl with Snow Crab Gratin,’ featuring some of Hokkaido’s finest seafood topped with a generous snow crab gratin, and the ‘GARAKU Special,’ loaded with toppings and served with Hokkaido-made Camembert cheese over the rice. For my order, I went with the ‘Fried Chicken Thigh with Vegetable,’ which replaces the original soup curry’s simmered chicken with crispy fried chicken. The skin was nicely crunchy while the meat stayed tender, with a light sprinkle of salt adding an extra savory bite. I also added cheese on top of the rice, and it was seriously delicious! Another thing I love here is how customizable the meal is. You can adjust almost everything, from the spice level and amount of rice to additional toppings, so you can build your Soup Curry exactly the way you like it. If you’re planning a trip to Sapporo and want to try one of Hokkaido’s iconic dishes at an original local spot, I’d definitely recommend GARAKU The Main Store. It’s well worth the visit! **Tips:** I recommend arriving around 20–30 minutes before opening to avoid a long wait. Lunchtime is usually less crowded than dinner. #Garaku #Hokkaido #SapporoEats #JapanTravel

Visited August 2026

My wife and I walked for half an hour in -7° temperature to finally get to the destination and be told by a restaurant nearby that they had moved locations. We didn't bother with the new location.

Visited February 2026

A cosy and very popular restaurant known for its flavourful soup curry. The broth is rich but not heavy, and the vegetables are cooked perfectly. Worth waiting in line if needed.

Visited November 2025

We went to this place looking for vegetarian food. Nothing was marked as such on the menu, so we went into the restaurant to confirm this before we committed to queue up for the long wait. This annoyed the waitress for some reason who kept asking us to wait in line instead of assisting us with our q...uestion. In the end we did manage to get through to her and then she told us that the curry broth includes pork and there are no vegetarian options. Would have appreciated some politeness, and also proper information here on Tripadvisor

Visited November 2025

I ordered the popular menu item, "soft chicken leg and vegetables". They stock mainly fresh ingredients from Hokkaido, and the vegetables are just delicious. I have visited there in the past, and it is still delicious even now.

Visited November 2024