Donburi Chaya
A must-visit in Nijo Market for over 50 types of incredibly fresh seafood donburi bowls, with rare halal options.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Donburi Chaya
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A must-visit in Nijo Market for over 50 types of incredibly fresh seafood donburi bowls, with rare halal options.
"Dive into Hokkaido's freshest catch with over 50 varieties of incredible seafood donburi bowls!"
Arrive Early
Beat the crowds and long lines by arriving before 8:30 AM.
Popular Dishes
Savor the scallops and buttered corn; some find the crab rice bowl less impressive.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese Seafood Donburi
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+81 11-200-2223
Address
二条市場, 1 Chome-7 Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053, Japan
Website
donburi.jp/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Abundant Seafood Donburi Bowls
Dive into over 50 types of fresh, hearty seafood rice bowls, showcasing Hokkaido's best.
Muslim-Friendly Options
A rare find, this spot offers halal seafood dishes and separate utensils, making it a safe choice for Muslim travelers.
Authentic Japanese Market Vibe
Nestled in Nijo Market, this cozy eatery provides a genuine taste of Hokkaido's culinary heart.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early
Beat the crowds and long lines by arriving before 8:30 AM.
Popular Dishes
Savor the scallops and buttered corn; some find the crab rice bowl less impressive.
Off-Peak Hours
For a more relaxed meal, consider visiting outside of peak breakfast and lunch times.
Navigating the Market
Finding the restaurant can be tricky; try entering from the back alley if you get lost.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early
Beat the crowds and long lines by arriving before 8:30 AM.
Popular Dishes
Savor the scallops and buttered corn; some find the crab rice bowl less impressive.
Off-Peak Hours
For a more relaxed meal, consider visiting outside of peak breakfast and lunch times.
Navigating the Market
Finding the restaurant can be tricky; try entering from the back alley if you get lost.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Donburi Chaya is celebrated for its incredibly fresh and diverse seafood donburi bowls, offering an authentic taste of Hokkaido. While many praise the quality and the rare Muslim-friendly options, some diners found the sashimi donburi to be average for the price. It's recommended to arrive early to avoid queues.
"Donburi Chaya (どんぶり茶屋) is a renowned seafood rice bowl (kaisendon) restaurant located within Nijo Market in central Sapporo. Established in the heart of Hokkaido’s culinary scene, it offers a wide variety of fresh and hearty seafood bowls, making it a must-visit for seafood enthusiasts.
⸻
🍣 Menu Highlights
Donburi Chaya boasts an extensive menu featuring over 50 types of seafood bowls, showcasing the rich flavors of Hokkaido. Some notable offerings include:
• Golden Sea Treasure Bowl: A luxurious set of seven small bowls featuring delicacies like sea urchin, salmon roe, crab, and more. 
• Northern Luxury Bowl: A lavish bowl topped with 13 kinds of seafood, including salmon, tuna, squid, snow crab, and sea urchin. 
• Crab and Sea Urchin Donburi: A delightful combination of king crab and sea urchin over rice.
• Salmon Enjoyment Donburi: A bowl dedicated to salmon lovers, featuring various preparations of salmon and salmon roe.
Prices range from approximately ¥1,980 to ¥5,980, catering to different preferences and budgets. 
⸻
🕒 Hours & Access
• Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last order at 4:30 PM).
• Location: 7 Minami 3-jō Higashi 1-chōme, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido.
• Access: Approximately a 5-minute walk from Odori Station on the Nanboku, Tozai, and Toho Subway Lines.
⸻
🌟 Dining Experience
The restaurant offers a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, reflecting traditional Japanese aesthetics. Guests can choose between counter seating and small tables, providing an intimate dining experience. The staff is known for their friendly service and attentiveness, ensuring a pleasant visit."
RDZ STR
"Everything was closing at the market and we were afraid it was too late to have lunch. Thankfully Doburi Chaya came to the rescue. It’s open later than most other stores and is welcoming to lunch stragglers like us. We ordered two rice bowls. One was tuna on rice. The other was assorted fish and seafood. Both were good quality and fresh. It wasn’t the best fish we’ve had in Japan but it still rated highly for us, particularly with the friendly service and late opening. Check it out."
Gereon Ninety-Nine
"We used this restaurant for breakfast when travelling to Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. 8:00-9:00 am.
We travelled early in the morning from our hotel and were seated with no waiting time.
You can have a set meal of grilled fish for 250 yen.
There are two types of seafood bowls: a normal bowl and a half bowl.
The regular bowl seemed to have a larger amount of vinegared rice. You will be full from breakfast.
The half bowl has a smaller amount of rice, but the fish was satisfying. I am satisfied with my breakfast."
ぼくサノス
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Donburi Chaya is renowned for its wide selection of fresh and delicious seafood rice bowls (kaisendon), showcasing Hokkaido's finest ingredients.
Yes, Donburi Chaya is known for its Muslim-friendly options, using separate utensils and offering Halal-certified ingredients, making it a great choice for Muslim travelers.
It's best to arrive early, especially before 8:30 AM, to avoid long queues. Visiting during off-peak hours can also offer a more relaxed experience.
While most dishes are well-received, some reviews suggest that the crab rice bowl might be underwhelming compared to other popular options like scallops and buttered corn.
The main branch is located in Nijo Market in Sapporo. There are also branches in Otaru and New Chitose Airport.
Yes, it's a popular spot for breakfast due to its early opening hours, offering a hearty start to the day with fresh seafood.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The Best Restaurants in Sapporo
Nijo market is a haven for seafood lovers with freshly caught fish prepared at various exciting vendors. One of the must-try dishes here is seafood donburi and is best tried at Donburi Chaya, a cozy store found tucked away in the market. Largely popular due to word of mouth, it’s unsurprising when you check the menu and realize there are more than 30 different seafood rice bowls to choose from as well as seasonal menus and daily specials.
10 Famous Foods to Eat in Hokkaido | Food Guide
I don’t know exactly how many different kinds of Donburi are existed in Japan but I am sure there are many varieties can be found across the country. Do you know what donburi is?. It is a rice bowl dish with some other foods like egg, sea urchin, salmon roe, crab, grilled fish, shrimps, chicken, and vegetables are served on top of it.
Recommended Muslim-Friendly Restaurants in Sapporo
Otaru which sits at a 30-min ride by train from Sapporo is a tourist spot that is famous for its canal and old warehouse building which is now transformed into shops and restaurants. It is known as the entrance of Hokkaido in the 20th century. There is a halal seafood restaurant in Otaru, “Donburichaya” to get a quick seafood lunch.
what to eat in Sapporo
One of the standout experiences at Nijo Market is trying the seafood rice bowl, or kaisen-don, at one of the many restaurants that specialize in this dish. During my recent visit to Nijo Market, I had the pleasure of dining at a seafood rice bowl restaurant called “Donburi Chaya” and in this post, it’s going …
4 Popular Foods and Drinks in Sapporo, Japan (Hokkaido)
Our hotel in Sapporo was close to Tanukikoji Shopping Street, and at the end of that is a seafood market called Nijo Market. We had a lot of fun walking through the vendor stalls and admiring the crabs, scallops, unusual fish, and other specialties. With all the seafood around, we had to get a donburi.
Discover Food Diversity in Japan
The seafood donburi and steak menus from Donburi Chaya in Hokkaido, which are made with the finest ingredients, are now also Halal-friendly. The interior of the restaurant resembles a fisherman's cottage, and here you can enjoy Hokkaido's seasonal seafood dishes.
Eat Fresh Hokkaido Seafood at the Nijo Market in Sapporo | Japan Tips | Other
Another kaisen-don joint, Donburi Chaya is a well-known restaurant near Nijo Market. The menu here has a wide range of seafood choices for your kaisen-don. You can opt for a kaisen-don of only various crab meats or one with all shrimp.
Charming Escapes and Gorgeous Cityscapes set in Nature: 19 Things to do in Sapporo | GOOD LUCK TRIP
Taking advantage of the market, they serve rice bowls that satisfy you with the ingredients, freshness, and price. As the specialty restaurant, the menu is abundant. Choose your favorite from more than 50 kinds of seafood rice bowls.
20 Best Places To Enjoy Sapporo’s Local Foods!
Donburi Chaya is found in the Nijo Market area and is best-known for its seafood donburi. The most-famous dish there is the marusendon. It is served with 4 mini donburi and miso soup.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit