Obihiro’s Jingisukan is Different from Sapporo’s — 5 Must-Try Legendary Restaurants

If you’re visiting Hokkaido, one dish you absolutely must try during your stay is “Jingisukan” (grilled lamb). Interestingly, Jingisukan varies by region, and the version served in Obihiro is distinctly different from that in Sapporo. Both are delicious, of course—but as MATOKA, your guide to the charm of Tokachi, we naturally recommend the Obihiro style. In this article, we’ll introduce five legendary Jingisukan restaurants you can enjoy right in the city of Obihiro.

Two Main Types of Jingisukan

There are two styles of Jingisukan: one where the meat is marinated in sauce before grilling, and the other where sauce is added after cooking. In Obihiro and the Eastern Hokkaido area, the marinated style—where the lamb is seasoned before grilling—is the most common. This difference is often a clear dividing line in preferences among Hokkaido locals.

Pre-marinated lamb helps mellow the distinct aroma of the meat, making it easier to enjoy. Each restaurant uses its own special sauce recipe, so you can experience a variety of unique flavors depending on where you go.

You can also enjoy Jingisukan at home with an electric griddle. However, because the meat is marinated, it can burn easily and get tough if overcooked. Be sure to watch closely and enjoy it at the perfect timing. Now, let’s explore five of the best Jingisukan spots in Obihiro!

Jingisukan Shirakaba

Locals proudly claim, “There’s no better Jingisukan in Tokachi,” when talking about the long-established “Jingisukan Shirakaba Obihiro Main Store,” founded in 1957. It’s a legendary spot that has won the hearts of Obihiro’s Jingisukan lovers for generations.

Shirakaba is known for its exceptional meat cuts and blends. The bite-sized pieces strike the perfect balance between a hearty texture and easy eating. Once you take a bite, the rich flavor of Jingisukan fills your mouth, and the meat practically melts on your tongue.

Only the finest cuts—tender loin, fatty belly, and meaty thigh—are carefully selected and uniquely blended. This special mix allows you to fully savor the true flavor of lamb.

If you want to experience the full deliciousness of Jingisukan, you definitely need to visit “Jingisukan Shirakaba” at least once.

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Jingisukan Hokkaido

Sharing top local popularity with Shirakaba is “Jingisukan Hokkaido.” Housed in a renovated traditional home, the restaurant has a nostalgic, cozy atmosphere that welcomes both locals and tourists every day.

What sets Jingisukan Hokkaido apart is the tenderness of its meat. Their most popular grilled dishes are “Mutton,” “Lamb,” “King Mutton,” and “King Lamb,” all under the Jingisukan name. The latter two are limited in quantity and offer an extra indulgent experience. Grill the meat to your preferred doneness, then dip it in a fruity sauce for a perfect bite. The combination of juicy fat and sweet sauce creates a moment of pure bliss.

A local favorite is the “Inakibi Rice,” a rustic dish made with millet and beans. It pairs perfectly with the meat. Inside the restaurant, you’ll also find exhibits on Hokkaido’s history and dialects, adding a cultural touch to your dining experience.

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Yakiniku Heiwaen

Heiwaen, the “King of Yakiniku Restaurants,” operates over 20 locations, with 9 in Obihiro alone. Since its founding in 1959, it has served carefully hand-cut premium meats to loyal patrons. Of course, the flavor is top-notch. They follow a traditional method called “Itchōzuke,” in which the sauce is freshly mixed to match the amount of meat ordered.

What makes Heiwaen especially popular is its unbeatable value. A basic “Jingisukan” set is just ¥495 (tax included), and the more luxurious “Premium Jingisukan” is only ¥572. The “Jingisukan Set Meal,” which includes salad, pickles, soup, and rice, is just ¥825—an incredible deal you’d rarely find in urban Japan these days!

The restaurant’s excellent prices and quality are thanks to their partnership with the Tokachi Meat Distribution Center at the Hokkaido Livestock Corporation Tokachi Factory. As one of Japan’s largest meat hubs, it ensures top-quality cuts delivered straight from Tokachi.

Some locals even call Heiwaen “the pride of Obihiro.” If you’re looking to savor Tokachi’s culinary culture, this is one place you don’t want to miss.

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Kita Togarashi

The fourth restaurant on our list is “Tokachi Jingisukan Club Kita Togarashi.” According to a popular gourmet review site, 98% of visitors were satisfied with the food and taste, and 93% praised the service and hospitality.

The meat served here is lamb (aged 6 to 10 months), known for its tender texture and mild flavor, thanks to a grain-based diet of corn and barley. The house-made sauce is light and refreshing with minimal sweetness. You can also customize the spice level by adding chili pepper to taste.

The restaurant’s top recommendations are the “Fresh Lamb Jingisukan Shoulder Loin” (¥1,080) and the “Fresh Lamb Steak Thick-Cut Shoulder Loin” (¥2,000). The shoulder loin Jingisukan features carefully selected, odorless fresh lamb. The recommended way to eat it is the “Kita Togarashi style”: lightly grill both sides and enjoy while tender. The thick-cut lamb steak is topped with plenty of coarsely chopped garlic—a fan favorite. Other popular side dishes include “Tokachi Nagaimo Kimchi” and “Lamb Sausage.”

Kita Togarashi also offers online ordering, so you can enjoy the flavors of your Tokachi trip again at home.

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Yurakucho

Last on our list is another long-established Jingisukan spot in Obihiro: “Yurakucho,” founded in 1967. What makes Yurakucho special is its simply prepared yet carefully handled lamb, budget-friendly prices, and the rare local dish “Horujin.”

Horujin is a hotpot-style dish that combines hormone (offal) and Jingisukan, so popular in this region it has its own dedicated cooking pot. For this article, MATOKA tried Yurakucho’s takeout meat and made Horujin at home.

Using a shallow iron pot made especially for Horujin, we placed Yurakucho’s takeout lamb, miso-marinated offal, and onions inside and set it over the heat. Once the meat was cooked through, we served it with freshly steamed rice.

The Jingisukan at Yurakucho features mutton pre-seasoned for tenderness even kids can enjoy. It’s delicious on its own, but we recommend dipping it in the accompanying vinegar-based sauce, which really enhances the flavor.

Of course, you can enjoy Horujin in the restaurant as well. If this is your second visit to Tokachi or you’ve already tried Jingisukan elsewhere, we highly recommend giving Horujin a try too!

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Conclusion

Starting with the differences between Obihiro and Sapporo-style Jingisukan, we introduced five must-visit restaurants where you can fully savor “Obihiro-style” grilled lamb. When exploring the rich food culture of Tokachi and Obihiro, Jingisukan is a must. Be sure to treat yourself to the best of this local specialty at one of these outstanding spots!