Japan Food Series: Miso Ramen at Misogin in Sapporo – Another Ramen Alley Stop Worth Trying

Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa

Misogin – Restaurant Overview

Japan, 〒064-0805 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 5 Jonishi, 3 Chome−8 内 元祖さっぽろラーメン横丁

Misogin is another ramen shop located inside Ramen Alley, one of the most famous ramen destinations in Sapporo. By this point in the trip, Ramen Alley had already become a familiar place—narrow, atmospheric, and packed with small ramen stalls, each claiming its own take on Sapporo-style ramen. Misogin fits perfectly into this environment: compact, focused, and clearly centred around miso ramen, the style that made Sapporo famous.

Before visiting, we fully expected Ramen Alley to be busy and lined up, especially given its reputation. Because of that, we deliberately planned to go at a non-peak time, thinking we’d at least encounter a few lines and have to wait. Instead, we were pleasantly surprised. We arrived around 2 pm, and there were hardly any lineups at all. That made the experience much more relaxed and allowed us to choose a shop based purely on interest rather than convenience. Misogin ended up being one of the places we tried under those circumstances.

The interior is small, as expected for Ramen Alley. Seating is limited, the kitchen is close, and everything feels efficient and purposeful. There’s no wasted space and no unnecessary decoration. It’s the kind of ramen shop where you sit down, order quickly, and let the bowl speak for itself.

Ramen Alley & Miso Ramen Context

Eating at Misogin is inseparable from the larger context of Sapporo’s ramen culture. As mentioned in previous reviews, Sapporo is widely recognized as the birthplace of miso ramen, a style that emerged in the 1950s as a heartier alternative to shoyu and shio ramen. The colder climate of Hokkaido played a role in shaping this style—rich broths, thick noodles, and bold flavours that provide warmth and comfort.

Ramen Alley became a hub for this style over time, with many shops specializing almost exclusively in miso ramen. While each shop has its own variations, the core elements remain consistent:

• Deep, savoury miso-based broth
• Thick, chewy noodles that hold onto the soup
• Toppings that complement rather than distract

Misogin stays firmly within that tradition, while also offering small twists—such as spicy toppings—to differentiate itself from neighbouring stalls.

Miso Ramen with Spicy Leek

This was one of the more interesting bowls from Misogin that I tried in Ramen Alley. At first glance, it looks like a standard miso ramen, but the spicy leek topping immediately sets it apart. The leeks added a noticeable kick and a sharpness that contrasted nicely with the rich broth underneath.

The idea of spicy leek on top of ramen was new to me, and it was genuinely interesting to try. The heat wasn’t overwhelming, but it added a layer of complexity that made each bite feel slightly different depending on how much of the leek mixed into the soup. Texture-wise, the leeks also helped break up the richness of the broth, adding a bit of bite and freshness.

That said, I couldn’t help but think the bowl would have been even better if the entire broth was spicy, rather than relying solely on the topping for heat. As it was, the spice felt a bit localized—strong when you hit the leeks, milder elsewhere. Still, as a variation on classic miso ramen, it worked well and stood out from more traditional bowls.

The noodles were thick and chewy, exactly the kind I like with miso ramen. They held onto the broth nicely and maintained their texture throughout the bowl. Combined with the rich miso base and the spicy leek, this was a satisfying and distinctive dish.

Order again? Yes.

Premium Miso Ramen

The Premium Miso Ramen from Misogin was more straightforward, but also more universally appealing. This bowl leaned fully into what makes Sapporo-style miso ramen so comforting. The broth was super flavourful and rich, with a deep savoury quality that immediately warmed you up. It felt balanced rather than salty, and the miso flavour came through clearly without overpowering everything else.

Once again, the noodles were a highlight. Thick, chewy, and well-cooked, they were exactly what I want in a miso ramen. They paired beautifully with the broth and made the dish feel hearty without being heavy.

One thing that stood out was how quickly the ramen arrived. From ordering to receiving the bowl, there was very little wait time. In a small, efficient shop like this, that speed added to the overall enjoyment rather than making it feel rushed. The bowl was hot, fresh, and ready to eat almost immediately.

This was a very satisfying ramen—comforting, filling, and well-executed. It didn’t try to be clever or experimental, and that worked in its favour. Sometimes sticking closely to tradition produces the best results, and this felt like a strong example of that.

Order again? Yes.

Final Thoughts

Misogin was another solid stop in Ramen Alley and reinforced why this area is such an important part of Sapporo’s food culture. Going in at a non-peak time made the experience especially enjoyable, allowing us to explore without pressure and without long waits. The lack of lineups was a pleasant surprise and made it easy to appreciate the food on its own terms.

Both bowls delivered what you’d expect from a miso-focused ramen shop. The Premium Miso Ramen stood out as the safer and more comforting option, with a rich broth and excellent thick noodles. The Miso Ramen with Spicy Leek offered something a little different, introducing a topping I hadn’t encountered before and adding a new dimension to the dish, even if I would have preferred the spice to be more evenly distributed throughout the broth.

As part of my Japan Food Series, Misogin fit neatly alongside the other ramen shops I tried in Ramen Alley. It may not be the single best bowl I had in Sapporo, but it was a very good one—and a reminder that even within a narrow alley of ramen stalls, there’s still room for variety, experimentation, and discovery.