“Sapporo’s Ultimate Genghis Khan Guide: 8 Restaurants You’ll Love”

Genghis Khan, a Hokkaido specialty, is one of the gourmet foods you should try in Sapporo.Enjoying Genghis Khan with beer outdoors or in a beer hall is good, but Genghis Khanwith wine or sake in a relaxed and stylish space is also good. Here, we introduce 8 carefully selected restaurants in the center of Sapporo, where you can stop by after sightseeing and enjoy delicious Genghis Khan. The list contains valuable information on lamb shabu with special lamb meat and excellent sauce, a rare lamb menu, etc., which only carefully selected restaurants can offer.

• Hokkaido
• Yakiniku
• Local gourmet
• Meat dishes

A Must-Try in Sapporo! Carefully Selected Restaurants Serving Hokkaido’s Famous Genghis Khan

Indulge in the rich flavors of Hokkaido’s iconic dish, Genghis Khan. Whether paired with fresh local vegetables or enjoyed in a cozy setting, this beloved soul food is a culinary experience you can’t miss when visiting Sapporo.

What Exactly Is Genghis Khan?

Hokkaido's Famous Local Gourmet

Genghis Khan is a famous local delicacy in Hokkaido made with mutton. The dish's origins trace back to the Japanese army’s movement into Manchuria, where mutton was first introduced. During the Showa period (1926-1989), sheep breeding farms were established in Hokkaido to produce wool, making mutton more accessible. In 1936, Sapporo saw the opening of its first Genghis Khan specialty restaurant. As more restaurants followed, Genghis Khan became firmly rooted as a staple of Hokkaido cuisine.

Use Raw Lamb or Raw Mutton

Genghis Khan is typically prepared with raw lamb or mutton marinated in a flavorful sauce. It is cooked on a unique iron pot with a raised center. The lamb is grilled in the center of the pot, while the vegetables are placed around the edges, allowing the meat juices to flow down and enhance their flavor as a natural seasoning.

Top Picks for Genghis Khan in Sapporo: Sapporo Genghis Khan Umeiwa

Locking in the Juices: Savor Tender Lamb on Lava Plates

This restaurant uses a lava plate sourced from Mt. Fuji to grill lamb at a higher temperature than traditional Genghis Khan pans. The high heat locks in the meat juices, while the far-infrared effect ensures a fluffy and tender texture. The lava plate also absorbs excess fat, reducing smoke—a welcome feature for diners. Alongside classic loin cuts, the menu includes rare options such as lamb tongue and lamb chops. Be sure to try these specialty cuts for a unique experience.

Genghis Khan Dining Hige No Ushi Minami 5-jo

Grilled Healthy Lamb on a Charcoal Griddle

At Hige no Ushi Minami 5-jo, the focus is on perfecting the best cuts and grilling methods for each type of meat. This restaurant offers two types of Genghis Khan: pan-grilled and net-grilled. The lamb is marinated in a special sauce and grilled on a shichirin (charcoal grill) to keep the flavor intact, which is especially popular with female diners. In addition to the melt-in-your-mouth "raw lamb steak" and rare "raw lamb filet," you can also enjoy the popular "Australian lamb shoulder" and grain-fed "premium lamb."

Savor Genghis Khan in a Chic and Cozy Atmosphere

The stylish space is cozy and different from other restaurants serving Genghis Khan. There is a counter, table seating, and a semi-private room separated by partitions, making it suitable for both individuals and families. Lockers are available for temporary storage of hand luggage, so you can stop by even if you have luggage for a trip.

Top Picks for Genghis Khan in Sapporo: Genghis Khan Hige No Ushi Main branch

A Store with an Excellent Selection of Lamb

Hige no Ushi Honten is a place where you can enjoy specially selected lamb paired with sake. In addition to the melt-in-your-mouth "cured lamb steak" and rare "cured lamb fillet," the restaurant also offers the popular "Australian lamb shoulder" and grain-fed "premium lamb." We highly recommend the "Salted Lamb," cured in a salty saumure solution, and the "Old-Fashioned Flavored Lamb," prepared with a delicious sauce made using our unique method. Course meals are also available, making it an ideal choice for a special dinner.

A Stylish, Clean, and Spacious Interior

The main branch offers a spacious dining environment with a clean and stylish interior, perfect for both large gatherings and intimate dinners. With counter seats on the first floor and table seating on the second, it’s ideal for solo diners and families alike. Located just a 5-minute walk from Susukino Station, it's easy to stop by while sightseeing. Lockers are available for luggage storage, making it convenient for tourists.

Top Picks for Genghis Khan in Sapporo: Raw Lamb Genghis Khan Yamagoya (lunch available on Saturdays and Sundays)

Genghis Khan with a Secret Sauce

Yamakoya, a pioneer in lamb Genghis Khan, offers a unique dining experience with its traditional special sauce, inherited from Otaru Keishoen. The apple and soy-based aged sauce perfectly complements the lamb, creating a rich flavor profile. Enjoy high-quality New Zealand lamb, hogget (a type of meat between lamb and mutton), and locally sourced vegetables, including bean sprouts, onions, and mini tomatoes. For those seeking something special, we recommend the odorless Hokkaido-sourced Ezo sika deer meat and cured lamb set, or the “one-bite minced sheep” dish.

A Famous Sapporo Restaurant in a Convenient Location

Located just a short walk from Susukino Station, Yamagoya is loved by locals and tourists alike. The restaurant’s mountain hut-style interior features only 15 counter seats, offering a cozy and intimate dining experience. It is open for lunch on weekends and provides plastic bags for your belongings, making it a great option for tourists. You can even enjoy Yamakoya's special raw lamb Genghis Khan at home by ordering it online.

Other Lamb Restaurants

Top Picks for Genghis Khan in Sapporo: Kudo Yakiniku Restaurant, Specializing in Ultra-Thin Lamb Shabu-Shabu (Private Room Available)

The Superb Two-Color Soup is the Decisive Factor

Indulge in lamb shabu-shabu served in one of three original soups: the classic Rausu kelp-based broth, a soy milk soup infused with bonito aroma, or a flavorful tan tan-style soup made with a blend of 20 spices. The lamb is sliced to a perfect 0.2mm thickness upon order, ensuring a tender and melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Along with the lamb, enjoy a variety of fresh vegetables like bean sprouts, onions, and mini tomatoes. You can also customize your meal by choosing between different noodles or rice to complement your chosen soup. Each option offers a unique, appetizing flavor that will leave you wanting more.

A Chic and Relaxed Interior for Solo Diners and Groups

The restaurant features a chic and serene Japanese-style atmosphere. There are counter seats ideal for solo diners, as well as sofa seating for those who wish to relax with a group. The interior also includes semi-private rooms that can be separated by roll curtains or partitions, and fully private rooms available for groups of up to 8 people. The popular "all-you-can-eat course" includes carefully selected lamb, fresh vegetables, snacks, rice, and noodles, all available for 90 minutes at 3,400 yen (excluding tax). An all-you-can-drink option is also available, featuring a selection of wines and sake that perfectly complement the lamb.

Top Picks for Genghis Khan in Sapporo: Kudo Lamb Restaurant (No. 2) Specializing in Ultra-Thin Lamb Shabu-Shabu

All-you-can-eat + all-you-can-drink course with two-color soup

The lamb shabu shabu is popular, with a choice of three original soups: the standard soup made from the best Rausu kelp, soy milk, grated radish, or tanzaku style. 4,800 yen for 90 minutes (including tax) includes carefully selected lamb meat, fresh vegetables, edamame, pickles, rice, noodles, draft beer, highball, wine, sake, shochu, and a variety of other beverages, The all-you-can-eat course includes draft beer, highballs, wine, sake, shochu, cocktails, and a wide variety of other beverages. We also recommend the limited-quantity lamb roe bowl with two layers of rice topped with Hokkaido wasabi and soy sauce for 935 yen (tax included).

Bright and relaxing wood-like interior

The second restaurant, which also attracts many female customers, has a bright and warm interior with simple lighting. There are counter seats perfect for singles or dates, semi-private rooms for 4 or more people, and fully private rooms for 8 or more people, as well as a VIP room in the back. The restaurant is conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Susukino Station on the municipal Namboku Subway Line.

Top Picks for Genghis Khan in Sapporo: Lamb Pirika (Hokkaido Mutton Kappou)

Rare Breed Lamb in a Variety of Dishes

This restaurant offers rare dishes using Southdown lamb, the "king of lambs" raised in Ashoro, Tokachi region of Hokkaido. The lamb shabu-shabu (lamb shabu with a silky texture), straw-yaki (lamb shabu with a rich aroma and fine texture), smoked lamb, yukaye (lamb yukke), and the lamb and Ezo-shika sushi (lamb sushi cooked at 58°C) served as a course are all unique and appealing lamb dishes.

A Stylish Japanese-Modern Interior with All-You-Can-Drink Options

Hokkaido lamb shabu shabu starts at 3,980 yen per person, and the Hokkaido lamb shabu shabu course starts at 6,200 yen, with an a la carte menu and an all-you-can-drink menu to enjoy. The lamb is exquisite when paired with sommelier-selected wines, hard-to-find Japanese sake, and whiskey. In addition to table seating, there is also counter seating for solo diners, where you can enjoy conversation with the chef over the counter.

Experience Authentic Genghis Khan in the Heart of Sapporo!

Sapporo offers authentic Genghis Khan and lamb restaurants, perfect for a stop during your sightseeing journey. The carefully selected meats and secret sauces create flavors that can only be found here in Sapporo. Discover our recommended spots and embark on a delicious Genghis Khan adventure in Sapporo!