Hokkaido Ramen: 'Delicious Soup,' 'Rich,' 'Miso' Rank High! Approximately 73% Interested in Enjoying Asahikawa Ramen at Home with Restaurant-Quality Taste

■ Survey on Recognition, Image, and Eating Experience of Hokkaido Ramen

When you hear 'Hokkaido ramen,' which region comes to mind?

Hokkaido boasts many unique local ramens, including miso, soy sauce, and salt varieties.

This time, in collaboration with Hokkaido Yatai, a specialized mail-order service for Asahikawa ramen and Hokkaido specialties, we conducted a survey on 'Hokkaido Ramen Recognition, Image, and Eating Experience' targeting 500 men and women nationwide who answered 'I like ramen' in a preliminary survey.

*When quoting the content of this press release, please comply with the following:

・State that the source is 'a survey by NEXER Co., Ltd. and Hokkaido Yatai.'

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'Hokkaido Ramen Recognition, Image, and Eating Experience Survey' Overview

Survey method: Online questionnaire

Survey period: March 31 to April 6, 2026

Respondents: Men and women nationwide who answered 'I like ramen' in a preliminary survey

Valid responses: 500 samples

Questions:

Question 1: When it comes to Hokkaido ramen, which region or type specifically comes to mind?

Question 2: Please tell us the reason.

Question 3: What image do you have of Hokkaido ramen? (Multiple answers allowed)

Question 4: What triggered that image? (Multiple answers allowed)

Question 5: Have you ever eaten Asahikawa ramen?

Question 6: Where did you eat it? (Multiple answers allowed)

Question 7: Would you be interested if you could eat Asahikawa ramen at home with the same taste as in a restaurant?

Question 8: Please tell us the reason.

*As a general rule, percentages are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not be 100%.

■ 81.4% answered 'Sapporo Ramen'

First, we asked which region or type of Hokkaido ramen comes to mind.

As a result, 'Sapporo Ramen' accounted for an overwhelming majority at 81.4%.

This was followed by 'Asahikawa Ramen' at 5.6% and 'Hakodate Ramen' at 3.8%.

It is clear that Sapporo ramen boasts overwhelming recognition as the representative of Hokkaido ramen. While Asahikawa and Hakodate also have unique ramen cultures, they do not yet seem to be widely recognized.

We asked for the reasons for each answer, and here are some examples:

Those who answered 'Sapporo Ramen':

・Miso ramen with corn. The one I ate at Sapporo Airport was memorable. (Female, 20s)

・Because I often hear the phrase 'Sapporo Miso Ramen.' (Female, 30s)

・Frequency of media introductions. The large number of instant noodle product names. (Male, 30s)

Those who answered 'Asahikawa Ramen':

・I feel like I see it on TV somehow. (Female, 30s)

・Because it's often featured in magazines. (Male, 40s)

・It tasted the best. (Male, 40s)

Those who answered 'Hakodate Ramen':

・Because I like salt ramen. (Male, 40s)

・It was delicious when I ate it on a trip. (Female, 40s)

・It was delicious when I ate it in Hakodate. (Female, 40s)

Many who chose Sapporo ramen mentioned instant foods like 'Sapporo Ichiban' and the phrase 'Sapporo Miso Ramen.' The influence of products seen daily in supermarkets and convenience stores seems to be very significant.

Those who chose Asahikawa or Hakodate were prompted by actual eating experiences or media exposure during travel, suggesting that travel and food experiences directly lead to ramen recognition.

■ 46.8% answered 'Delicious soup'

Next, we asked what image they have of Hokkaido ramen.

The most common answer was 'delicious soup' at 46.8%.

This was followed by 'rich' at 44.0% and 'strong miso image' at 42.6%.

All top three answers exceeded 40%, indicating that Hokkaido ramen has established an image of 'rich miso ramen with soup as the key.'

■ 45.6% answered 'Actual eating experience'

Next, we asked what triggered that image.

The most common answer was 'actual eating experience' at 45.6%.

This was followed by 'TV/magazine features' at 30.6% and 'cup noodles/bagged noodles/commercial products' at 22.8%.

While actual eating experiences create the strongest image, the influence of media such as TV and magazines is also significant.

Furthermore, more than 20% of people encounter Hokkaido ramen through daily meals like cup noodles and bagged noodles, indicating that commercially available products consumed daily are a major factor in forming that image.