[Sapporo] Hokkaido crabs are renowned for their sweet, succulent flesh and are caught in the cold waters off Hokkaido.
These crabs are a coveted delicacy, prized in Japanese cuisine for their rich, buttery taste.
When in Sapporo, I needed to find a crab restaurant to indulge in this delicacy.
Hokkaido Kani-Shogun Sapporo Honten 北海道かに将軍 札幌本店 was a random find.
The restaurant occupies a whole building with several floors of seating, with several outlets around Japan.
Right in the heart of Sapporo, this place is a crab paradise – king crab, snow crab, hairy crab.
You name it, they have got it, and in all sorts of styles.
Stepping in, you will notice the traditional Japanese vibe with tatami flooring and the custom of removing your shoes. This adds to the cultural experience.
The staff are attentive and assist you in steering through the extensive menu. For some, the complexity may be a bit overwhelming.
But don’t worry, it is available in multiple languages so quite friendly even for non-Japanese speakers.
The menu is packed with a variety of crab dishes, each offering a unique taste experience. You get plenty of options as the dishes vary in style, plating, and price points.
The Crab Shabu Shabu Course (10,450 Yen onwards) is a traditional hot pot dish where you cook your own crab slices at the table.
There are also Assorted King Crab Sukiyaki Course (10,450 Yen onwards) which features various types of crab cooked in a sweet soy sauce-based broth ala sukiyaki style.
If you like something that highlights the queen crab instead, there is the Queen Crab Sukiyaki Course (7,150 Yen onwards) combining its rich flavours with the savoury goodness of sukiyaki broth
A recommended course is “Suisen” (8,580 Yen for single portion).
It comes with various crab dishes, good for sampling different preparations without committing to a larger, pricier set.
This Ideal for individuals or small groups wanting a diverse but manageable tasting experience.
It includes appetisers, crab tofu, fresh queen crab sashimi, vinegared queen crab, small hot-pot dish of queen crab, crab gratin, crab tempura, thick rolls of crab sushi, soup, and dessert.
My favourite part was the hotpot in which you can really appreciate the succulent, sweetness of the crab meat.
At the end of the meal, they serve crab porridge which infuses the sweet crab flavours throughout the dining experience. Such a comforting finish.
Dining at Hokkaido Kani-Shogun is trying out various crab dishes at the same time, in an authentic Japanese atmosphere. Though I suspect there may be better shops around (looking at the Google reviews).
While it can be a bit pricey, a restaurant like this can be worth it for seafood lovers, especially those who adore the delicate taste of crab.
Kani Shogun Crab Restaurant Sapporo 北海道かに将軍 札幌本店
2 Chome-14-6 Minami 4 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0804, Japan
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Kani Shogun Crab Restaurant Sapporo
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