Miyoshino

 Image: Gyouza Teishoku ¥800 (US$5.50)

It was embarrassing when I took a seat immediately after entering Miyoshino, a gyouza restaurant, only to be kindly told by the staff to purchase a ticket from the vending machine at the entrance first. I did not know that verbal ordering was no longer necessary. At the same time, I realised how long it had been since I last went to Miyoshino.

I kept meaning to try Miyoshino whenever I visited Sapporo, and finally I did so in 2026. It was surprising that the restaurant, which I used to go to in the 1990s when I was a secondary school student, is still open.

Over the years, 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 much these restaurants have been loved by locals.

I will briefly introduce Miyoshino as one of my favourite restaurants, although the information is admittedly quite personal. What matters most is that it has managed to stay open despite these hardships. 

Additionally, the restaurant is very popular among locals, so the staff may not necessarily be accustomed to serving customers in other languages. This can be a great opportunity to try speaking in Japanese. 

Miyoshino (みよしの)

According to the official website (in Japanese), its first gyouza restaurant began in 1967.

Address : 

Miyoshino is a local chain restaurant in Sapporo. Two of its branches are located in the city centre. 

Map: Miyoshino

Business Hours:

Opening hours vary depending on the branch.

Miyoshino Tanukikoji 

 11:00 to 21:00

Miyoshino Nichigeki (Susukino)

 Monday to Friday 17:30 to 4:00

 Saturday 11:00 to 4:00

 Sunday 11:00 to 21:00

 Holidays 17:30 to 2:00

The opening hours of other branches can be checked on the official page (in Japanese).

Category:

Japanese fast food

★★★★☆ : Quality

★★★★★ : Cost

★★★★★ : Access

★★★☆☆ : Atmosphere

★★★★☆ : Cleanliness

★★★★☆ : Menu

As mentioned above, Miyoshino is a local fast-food chain in Sapporo. Of the 26 branches, most are located outside the city centre, as well as in some key cities such as Tomakomai, Asahikawa, and Chitose.

When I was a university student, I often went to Miyoshino Kohsei because it was close to the university.

Map: Miyoshino Kohsei

Although this branch is relatively large, the Miyoshino I used to visit as a secondary school student was quite small. There were only counter seats.

Image: Nothing has changed, a small restaurant - February 2026

When I was a teenager, I usually ate a gyouza teishoku or gyouza curry because they were budget-friendly. The former now costs ¥800 (US$5.50) and the latter ¥760 (US$5.00), but they were much cheaper at that time. If I recall correctly, they were less than ¥500.

Image: Menu - February 2026

The gyouza teishoku comes with rice, miso soup, and gyouza. However, it used to come with tsukemono (Japanese pickles) as well. This shows how the prices have risen over time.

After buying a ticket from the vending machine and handing it to the staff, remember to prepare the dipping sauce yourself. There is vinegar, soy sauce, and rahyu on the table so that you can make tare たれ (sauce for gyouza) in advance.

There is also a takeaway menu. As a child, my father sometimes came home with Miyoshino gyouza after work. I assume that everyone would be delighted if someone came home with gyouza.

Image: Takeaway 

When I lived in Honshu, Shikoku, or Kyushu, I missed Miyoshino very much because there are no Miyoshino branches outside Hokkaido. I often wished there had been a Miyoshino nearby, as I would have gone there straight away.

Miyoshino is not fancy food but it is a simple, everyday meal that has been loved by locals for a long time. If you come across it while traveling, it is worth popping in.

Image: Miyoshino, a small shop - February 2026