Beifutei

 Image: Abura-soba (油そば: あぶらそば) ¥880 ($6)- August 2025

Soba is one of Japan's traditional noodles but Abura-soba is essencially ramen, made from different ingredients than soba. It is unclear why it came to be called 'soba'. So, it is best simply to remember that Abura-sboa is a kind of ramen without soup. Instead of soup, the noodles are coated in tare (タレ), a flavourful base sauce that sits beneath them. 

The restaurant's name, Beifutei (米風亭: べいふうてい), means an 'American-style restaurant'. I find it interesting that Bei (米), which originally means 'rice', is used to refer to the US. This stems from the kanji transliteration of 'America' as 亜米利加 (A-bei-ri-ka). That is why, newspapers and many statesmen in Japan use 米国 (Bei-koku /国 means 'country') when mentioning the US.

Since graduating from university in Sapporo, plenty of restaurants have appeared and disappeared. Nearly all the places I used to frequent have closed down. 

Nonetheless, some of them have survived the global financial crisis in 2008, the downturn following the Tohoku Earthquake in 2011 and the pandemic in 2020. This is a testament to how these restaurants have been loved by locals.

So, I would like to briefly introduce a few of my favourites on this blog, although the information is admittedly quite personal. What matters most is that they have managed to stay open despite the hardships. 

Additionally, the restaurants that I post are very common and well-known among locals, so the staff may not be particularly comfortable serving customers in other languages. This can be a great opportunity to try speaking in Japanese. 

Beifutei (米風亭)

According to the Nishiyama Ramen (in Japanese), it opened in 1986.

*Nishiyama Ramen is a company that sells Beifutei Abura-soba online and is quite well known among locals as a noodle manufacturer.

Address:

060-0063 G-floor, Wada Building, 2-4, Minami 3, Nishi 1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

Phone:

+81-50-5462-3637

Map: Beifutei (米風亭: べいふうてい)

Business Hours:

Sunday to Thursday

11:00 to 2:00 

Friday to Saturday

11:00 to 3:00

*Seasonal closures: 31th December and 1st January

Category:

Japanese Cuisine

★★★★★ : Quality

★★★★★ : Cost

★★★★☆ : Access

★★★★★ : Atmosphere

★★★★☆ : Cleanliness

★★★☆☆ : Menu

The easiest way to reach Beifutei is to walk through Tanukikohji Shotengai (shopping arcade). Each section of arcade is numbered on the edge of its roof. If you are coming from Tanukikoji 3, which connects to Pole Town, the underground shopping mall, look out for the number 1 (狸小路１: Tanukikohji 1); once you reach it, turn right. Then, after crossing the first junction, take a left. You will see a small building immediately.

Pole Town is accessible from both Odori and Susukino subway stations  on the Green Line.

Image: Tanukikohji 2 - August 2018

Image: Beifutei (米風亭: べいふうてい)- August 2025

The menu is fairly simple as you can see below. That is understandable - ramen restaurants typically do not offer much beyond ramen itself. Similarly, Beifutei serves only Abura-soba as its main dish, accompanied with several side options, such as chips, tacos, salad and so on. On the other hand, the drinks menu is extensive, with a wide selection of alcohol beverages, especially beer.

Image: Menu - August 2025

I do not remember exactly when I first tried this restaurant but it was something in the 2000s. A friend of mine - who I still go out drinking with when I go back to Sapporo, used to play the guitar and sing in a band. One of the other band members was working at Beifutei part-time and it was through that connection that I first visited the restaurant.

We usually go for Abura-soba after having drinks somewhere in the city centre. This is because it is common to crave carbohydrates, typically ramen, after drinking, a habit known as shime (シメ). I suppose it is a familiar habit among many Japanese men who enjoy drinking. Sometimes we are not particularly hungry by the time we arrive at the restaurant, so we share a bowl of Abura-soba while continuing to drink and chat.

If you would like to have it as your main dish for dinner, the regular size might not be enough. In that case, you can opt for Ohmori or Tokumori (大盛り or 特盛り) which are Large and Extra Large portions respectively.

Image: Sharing Abura-Soba may be a good idea - August 2018

There are also topping options available, but if it is your first time trying it, I would recommend ordering the standard version.

Befutei always offers a pleasant atmosphere for chatting with close friends. Perhaps, it is because only those who truly love Abura-soba and the restaurant itself regularly tend to visit. As a result, the space feels relaxed and welcoming - encouraging guests to linger and enjoy their time.

Image: - Perfect for the final stop on your izakaya crawl - August 2016