Hokkaido: Recipes from Japan’s Northernmost Island

Hokkaido is a cookbook that celebrates Japan’s northernmost island.

Known especially for its seafood and dairy products, Hokkaido is a Japanese prefecture that has long been beloved for its vibrant culinary scene. The prefecture incorporates three foodways - European agricultural models; traditional and modern Japanese cuisine; and indigenous Ainu gastronomy - which have led to it to have a distinct food culture from the rest of Japan.

Hokkaido showcases the variety - and quality! - of the food that the prefecture has to offer with a selection of delicious recipes. Think Sweetcorn with Soy Sauce Butter and Rice Dumplings with Walnut Sauce; big dishes such as Fried Salmon Rice Bowl and Sapporo Miso Ramen; and sweet treats like ’Snowmelt’ Cheesecake and Crispy Sweetcorn Chocolate.

The recipes mostly fall into two categories: traditional, regional dishes and homages to specific dishes. There are also four Ainu recipes, which have been contributed by an Ainu chef, Hiroaki Kon.

With travelogues exploring different regions, as well as beautiful photography, Hokkaido showcases one of the most unique and wonderful places to eat in the world.

Tim Anderson is a chef, writer, and MasterChef champion. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Tim has been studying Japanese food culture for more than two decades, first as a hobby, then as a profession. He is also the author of Nanban: Japanese Soul Food, JapanEasy, Vegan JapanEasy, Tokyo Stories (for which Tim won the John Avery prize at the André Simon Awards), Your Home Izakaya, and JapanEasy Bowls and Bento.