The Niseko Food List (updated: 2018)

At the request of a friend, I am compiling some of the popular eateries in Niseko in aid of her trip planning. I have consolidated this food list after gathering feedback from friends who have been to Niseko. If you intend to visit in end December which is the peak season, you may need to start planning your accommodation now and consider restaurant reservations! Popular restaurants get fully booked in advanced such that you could end up having to walk in and wait outside in the cold or try your luck at less popular restaurants. (PS: Updated this post again in 2018 with some restaurants that I have tried!)

#1: Abucha 2 Hirafu

Located at the main junction of Upper Hirafu village, Abucha 2 is a very popular restaurant in Niseko. After all, warm, sizzling and delicious nabe (soup) is always a good idea in winter. Walk-in is only available for lunch, and it’s best to make a reservation for dinner. The restaurant is always fully booked during peak season and if you really wanna try your luck to walk-in, do queue outside the restaurant before 6pm. Details on booking is available on Abucha 2 website.

#2: Asperges Hanazono

This is a fine dining restaurant led by Michelin 3-starred chef Nakamichi. The menu is Japanese-French fusion, using fresh Hokkaido ingredients. Lunch is particularly worth it, priced at 4500JPY (S$55) for a 4-course menu. You can make the booking on their website.

#3: Bang Bang Hirafu

Conveniently located at the main junction of Upper Hirafu Village (after Yamazaki Supermart), Bang Bang is a popular Izakaya which skiiers and boarders could relax and indulge in drinks and grill after a day on the slopes. Reservations are strongly recommended and you could refer to their website for more details.

#4: Ebisu Tei Hirafu

Recommended by Instagram friend Reizz, Ebisutei is a casual izakaya. The restaurant is very small, therefore reservation is a MUST. Try to call (81) 0136-22-6544 to make a booking, or schedule your dinner at Ebisutei at the later part of your stay so that you could call/walk to the restaurant for booking at the beginning of your trip.

#5: Ezo Seafood Hirafu

This small restaurant is run by an Australian and their specialty is the fresh seafood! You could gorge on the fresh uni (sea urchin), crab legs, oysters etc and get your fill of the sashimi here. Ezo Seafood also allows online reservations, so it is easy for those who like to plan ahead to make a booking. The restaurant is usually full during dinner/peak season, so reservations are necesssary.

#6: Fujizushi Hirafu

To be honest, this restaurant which is conveniently located across Seicomart at the Hirafu traffic junction, made it to this list because of its Yaki Uni (grilled sea urchin). This was the only place in Niseko where we found Yaki Uni – and the restaurant is huge so you could get a table via walk-in. Other food in the menu were quite average.

#7: Kabuki 1 Hirafu

This is a fun place for a big group of friends, but be prepared to smell like Teppanyaki after dinner! Kabuki 1 has this interesting DIY concept whereby you will cook your own okonomiyaki, yakisoba and teppanyaki. Reservations is necessary because this restaurant is very small! Call +81 (0) 136-21-2233 to make a booking closer to the season. Kabuki 1 is only opened for dinner.

#8: Kamimura Hirafu

If you would like to go for some fine-dining in Niseko, Kamimura is a good idea. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves French cuisine with Hokkaido-sourced produce. You could make a reservation on Kamimura’s website. The restaurant is located at the first floor of Shiki apartment.

#9: Karabina (newly added!) Annupuri

An izakaya located in a wooden house, Karabina exuded homely vibes. In fact, all the dishes that we had felt quaint and home-cooked. We went with the set menu which were all the chef’s recommendations and none of the items really disappoint.

#10: Prativo (and Milk Kobo) Near Niseko Village

This is the ideal place for lunch after your morning run on the slopes. The lunch buffet is 1550JPY (S$19) and it’s one main course with eat-all-you-can vegetable and dessert buffet. The price is comparable to the cafe at base camp, Prativo is so much better. The next best thing is, you could make your way to Milk Kobo for the delectable choux puffs and cheese tarts after lunch!

#11: Nihon Bashi Kutchan

Nihon Bashi is at Kutchan town, which is about 10-15 minutes drive from Hirafu. The Japanese fare served at this restaurant – especially their chirashi don was amazing. Definitely one of the best meals I have had at Niseko! The restaurant is a few blocks away from Kutchan train station so it’s best to pay this restaurant a visit if you have your own transport in Niseko.

#12: Niseko Ramen Kazahana Hirafu (Beside Ezo Seafood)

This restaurant is a tiny hole-in-the-wall kinda eatery but there is a long queue every evening. Make sure you go there really early to secure a table. We think this is the best ramen in Niseko and the “Niseko ramen” which has creamy potato foam and miso as soup base, is highly recommended.

#13: Okonomiyaki Ju (newly added!) Soga

A quaint family-run restaurant, the okonomiyaki or other dishes are served to you, so you do not get your hands dirty trying to DIY your own food. Other than the usual okonomiyaki and yakisoba, they also serve negiyaki, a thinner version of okonomiyaki with tempura flakes instead of flour batter.

#14: Pizza Del Sole Annupuri

Recommended by Hellojujubee, Pizza Del Sole is apparently the best pizza in Niseko! It is located down the road from the Annupuri ski lifts – definitely a good place for refuel if you are sick of the cafe food.

#15: Rakuichi Annupuri

This is the famous hand-made soba place recommended by Anthony Bourdain. A very small eatery, they accept reservations for kaiseki dinner but it is always almost impossible to make a book-in. Walk-in are accepted at lunch but be prepared to wait in the cold as the eatery has small seating capacity – only 12 counter seats. The restaurant is not very accessible either, so it is best to go there if you have transport arrangements.

#16: Teuchi Soba Ichimura (newly added!) Hirafu

This was of the more memorable meals during my recent Niseko trip in 2018, because it was so comforting to have piping hot soba after a full morning of skiing. And we were provided with a generous helping of vegetable tempura and ebi tempura for our soba lunch set. It is also good to know that the soba noodles are homemade. I tend to agree that the standard of Teuchi Soba Ichimura is high, and you don’t have to wait for a long time outside the restaurant (in the cold) like Rakuichi Soba.

#17: The Frying Pan Annupuri

Another recommendation from Hellojujubee, this restaurant is recommended if you are missing your grilled chicken or steak in Niseko. Located near Annupuri Lodge, this is a great option for those who stays near Annupuri.

#18: The Niseko Loft Club

This is highly recommended by The Ride Side as one of the best-kept secrets in Niseko. Such a shame that I didn’t get to try it when I was there – but Yakiniku is such a great idea in the cold wintry climate. Reservation is highly recommended and this is a great option for dinner and beer. Reservation details can be found on their website.

#19: Yoteimaru (newly added!) Kutchan

If you are craving for conveyor belt sushi at Niseko, do pop by Yoteimaru. Located at Kutchan, the eatery is a stone’s throw from the town’s Aeon supermarket. The restaurant is quite busy, so they do not allow reservations. You would need to walk in and wait patiently for a seat. Are there any other eateries in Niseko that you would like to recommend? Please leave us a comment and I will update the list accordingly. 

Planning a ski trip to Japan? Check out my other posts!

• Skiing at Nozawa Onsen
• Skiing at Yuzawa, Niigata
• Skiing at Hakuba and The Hakuba Food List
• Skiing at Niseko
• 5 Reasons To Go on a Ski/Snowboard Trip