This legendary original shop is widely respected as one of the most popular and authentic Jingiskan spots around. While they have expanded with several branches, nothing beats the raw, traditional atmosphere of this flagship location—though it definitely requires some patience. The queue starts forming right at 5:00 PM. If you miss the first round of seating, expect some wait since the indoor seating capacity is very limited (it will grow to 1hr wait really quick.) The lady boss can look quite fierce initially, as she strictly manages the line to ensure customers follow instructions carefully and don't disturb the neighboring shops. Furthermore, they only let you inside once your specific station's fresh charcoal is perfectly red-hot. It takes a while to prepare after previous guests leave, but their system works like clockwork. Once inside, the dining experience is seamless. The menu is wonderfully simple: a bed of fresh vegetables is provided automatically on your personal dome grill, so you just choose your preferred meat types. The time from ordering to serving is lightning-fast, and you get to grill everything yourself at your own comfortable pace. The meat quality is exceptionally fresh, pairing beautifully with their fantastic, savory tare dipping sauce. You can easily add more orders as you go if you’re still hungry. While the prices aren’t exactly cheap for the exact quantity of meat provided, the incredible flavor and historic atmosphere make the meal completely satisfactory. It earns a solid four stars—the intense wait time, tight space, and strict rules might not suit everyone looking for a relaxing night out, but the authentic culinary payoff is absolutely worth it.

+2

Be prepared to queue! 😂 This place is super popular, and once you get in, you’ll probably notice they want you to eat… and go hahaha. It definitely has that fast paced, high turnover vibe. That said, the food is really good. The lamb is fresh, tender, and doesn’t have that strong gamey smell. Grilling everything yourself makes the whole experience even more fun, and it’s easy to see why this place has such a loyal following. It’s definitely on the pricey side, but I’d say it’s worth trying at least once if you’re in the area. Just don’t expect a long, relaxed dinner this is one of those places where you enjoy the food, finish up, and make room for the next people waiting in line.

+3

The lamp was absolutely delicious. I didn’t like lamp since it carries quite an unpleasant smell but somehow I hardly noticed any strange smell at all in this restaurant. The grilling experience was fun and it helped boost my appetite as well. The staff are also very accommodating and nice. It’s definitely a bit pricey and has long waiting time, but I will surely try again for my next visit.

Daruma Main Shop is one of the most famous places in Sapporo to try jingisukan – the local Hokkaido specialty of grilled lamb. The restaurant has a long history and a very traditional, no-frills atmosphere that feels authentic from the moment you arrive. We came after 5:00 PM, shortly after the restaurant opened, but there was already a surprisingly long line. In the end, we had to wait well over an hour to get in. The space inside is very small – seating for around 10 to maximum 12 people – and since grilling the meat takes time, the turnover is much slower than in places like ramen shops, where guests eat quickly and leave. Here, the experience is more relaxed and unhurried. Once inside, the food was worth the wait. The lamb was very tasty, tender, and served hot straight from the grill. It had none of the strong smell that some people associate with lamb. We also enjoyed hot sake and local beer, both of which paired very well with the meat. What I personally missed was a larger variety of vegetables. The only vegetable served with the lamb by default was onion. The atmosphere inside is genuinely great – lively, smoky, intimate, and very local. It actually makes you want to take photos or record a short video. However, photography and filming are not allowed, and there is a clear notice at the entrance asking guests to refrain from doing so.

+1

The place is extremely popular even on weekdays. The ally narrow and crowded, everyone waited patiently in the heavy snow to get in the store, took me 1.5hr to get inside. The food was good and service fast, but the waiting line was too long which kind of cannot compensate the food and service. Next time, will dine here only if there is no line.