SAMA Curry Sapporo Review 2026: Hokkaido's Must-Try Soup Curry
Searching for the ultimate Sapporo dining experience? SAMA Curry, near Hokkaido University, offers an unmissable soup curry that's as stunning to look at as it is delicious.
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Searching for the ultimate Sapporo dining experience? SAMA Curry, near Hokkaido University, offers an unmissable soup curry that's as stunning to look at as it is delicious.
When you think of a must-visit restaurant in Sapporo, what comes to mind?
For many, it's soup curry.
And if you're talking Hokkaido, you absolutely have to experience soup curry.
As one of Hokkaido's signature dishes, there are so many fantastic places to try. I wished I could visit and review every single one, but alas, one can only eat so much! So, I had to make a choice.
My pick? SAMA Curry, located near Hokkaido University. The reason? Its absolutely irresistible visual appeal, which you'll see for yourself in a moment.
I patiently waited for dinner service to begin. SAMA Curry in Sapporo operates during these hours:
Lunch: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Dinner: 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
I arrived right at 5:00 PM for opening. As I was snapping photos outside, a friendly staff member stepped out to flip the 'CLOSED' sign to 'OPEN'. Talk about perfect timing!
Stepping inside, you're greeted by a charming, distinctly Japanese-style space. It felt incredibly cozy and inviting.
The interior continued the charming, quaint theme. They had a variety of seating options, including larger tables for groups, two-person tables, and even single seats, perfect for solo travelers like me.
After a quick scan of the entire restaurant before other customers arrived, I settled into my seat just as the second diner walked in. Soon after, more customers started pouring in, proving SAMA Curry's reputation as a top Sapporo spot.
Time to order!
Ordering is straightforward: first, choose your Sapporo soup curry, then select your base and spice level, and finally, add any extra toppings.
I went with the tomato base, spice level 3. For toppings, I decided against the standard options and instead picked from their separate menu of popular add-ons.
My choices: cheese rice and the number one recommended topping, charred cheese broccoli. Oh, and I ordered a lassi too! Ordering them together made it a set meal.
While I waited, I continued to admire the charming decor. Soon enough, Hokkaido's famous dish arrived!
The visuals were just as impressive as I'd hoped! I ordered the vegetable curry, and that delicious charred cheese broccoli on the left was an absolute treat.
And then there's the cheese on rice...
The photo doesn't quite capture it, but when it first arrived, I thought, "Wow, that's a lot of rice!" But surprisingly, I managed to finish it all (and I usually eat small portions!).
With such an appealing presentation and an excellent flavor combination, it was simply delicious. Adding the cheese was a stroke of genius!
A quick note on spice: if you love spicy food, my chosen level 3 felt incredibly mild – almost no heat at all. It's probably comparable to a very mild curry back home in the States.
While I do enjoy a bit of spice, I'm also a bit of a lightweight, so I started with level 3. Based on that experience, I'd estimate that level 5 might be what I was hoping for in terms of a gentle kick. If you truly crave heat, you might need to go for level 11 or higher. Choose your spice level wisely!
As I was leaving, happy and full, I noticed a steady stream of takeout orders coming in. Or perhaps people were picking up their online orders. Either way, it was clear this place is popular!
📍 1F Maison Nire no Ki, 3-chōme−1−２０ Kita 16 Jōnishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0016, Japan
1F Maison Nire no Ki, 3-chōme−1−２０ Kita 16 Jōnishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0016, Japan
SAMA Soup Curry, near Hokkaido University, truly lives up to its reputation as a fantastic Sapporo restaurant.
SAMA Curry operates for lunch from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, and for dinner from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. The article author made an 'open run' (arrived right at opening) at 5:00 PM for dinner.
At SAMA Curry, after choosing your soup curry, you select your base and spice level, then add any extra toppings. Spice level 3 is barely spicy, so if you prefer a spicier taste, consider level 5 or higher; for a strong kick, level 11 or higher is recommended.
The article author ordered the vegetable curry with a tomato base and spice level 3. They added the popular No. 1 topping, cheese rice, and also burnt cheese broccoli, noting that the addition of cheese was particularly a 'stroke of genius'.
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