Sapporo Soup Curry: SOUL STORE Review (Tanukikoji Shopping Street)

Located in Tanukikoji 7-chome, Sapporo, “SOUL STORE” is a recommended soup curry specialty restaurant known to those in the know.

The greatest feature is the big visual impact of its “fried burdock,” where a fried burdock coated in a white batter—so big it spills out from the bowl—is placed right on top. And it is delicious. In addition, 4 types of soup with different personalities are prepared, including the original soup curry flavor “Classic,” the mild “BOSSA,” and “Homemade Mala.”

The interior of the store is a calm space like a cafe, with counter seats and table seats available, used by a wide range of customers from tourists to locals. In this article, based on photos actually taken and visited by the author, we introduce the charms of “SOUL STORE.”

Charms of “SOUL STORE”

Deeply Flavorful Original Soup Curry Soaking with Taste

The soup curry at SOUL STORE features a deep flavor where dashi (broth) is firmly effective. The basic “Classic” soup is one where not only the stimulation of spices, but also the umami of ingredients spreads into your mouth in layers. The spiciness is just right, and it is truly a delicious soup curry that is good to eat with deliciously cooked white rice, good to pour over it, good to dip into, and good to drink and eat as soup alone.

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This is the moment dipping rice into seriously delicious soup curry. Dipping sweet white rice into spicy soup curry to eat is truly delicious. Setting aside whether it is good manners or not, it is one of the delicious ways to eat it.

Fried Burdock Spilling Out from the Bowl

What stands out anyway in SOUL STORE’s soup curry is the long “fried burdock” spilling out from the bowl.

The moment it is brought to you, you are first surprised by the big visual size. Burdock of a size that seems to pierce from end to end of the bowl is placed right on top, wrapped in white batter. When you actually eat it, the batter is crispy and fragrant, and the inside is surprisingly tender. Perhaps because it is thoroughly cooked, the original sweetness of the burdock can be firmly felt.

This fried burdock is not just big, but its compatibility with the soup is also outstanding. Eating it as is in a crispy state is naturally good, and dipping it into spicy soup to soak flavor into the batter before eating is also delicious. It is a nice topping that becomes addictive once you eat it, not losing to its visual impact.

Numerous Menus to Choose from According to Your Preference

SOUL STORE has an extremely rich variety of menu items, which is a delightful point allowing you to choose according to your mood of the day.

Naturally including the standard “Chicken Curry” and the most popular “Chicken and Vegetable Curry,” the lineup is well-stocked enough to make you wonder which to choose, such as “Seasonal Vegetable Curry” containing around 10 types of seasonal vegetables. Additionally, unique menus where you can firmly taste the umami of meat are also available, such as “Chunky Lamb and Seasonal Vegetable Curry” and “Hokkaido Beef Stewed with Green Onion Salt and Maitake Mushroom Tempura Curry.”

Because adjustments to spiciness and rice amount can also be chosen finely, you can build your own best bowl. You can be satisfied no matter what mood you are in.

Super Delicious Zangi You Want to Eat Together

One of the recommended menu items at SOUL STORE is the side menu “Zangi” (Hokkaido-style fried chicken).

The batter is fried crisp and fragrant, and the meat inside is surprisingly juicy. It is not a general fried chicken zangi, but a “this is zangi” menu item sublimated to a supreme taste. It has volume, but because the meat quality is good, it can surprisingly be polished off in no time.

Sweet and Delicious Lassi

SOUL STORE’s lassi features a thick, rich drinking feel. Types containing fruit (sauce) such as mango exquisitely match the refreshing acidity of lassi with the sweetness of fruit.

Because it has a moderate sweetness, it is perfect for refreshing your mouth after a meal, as well as a break while eating spicy curry. It is a dish you definitely want to order if it is on the menu.

Calm and Stylish Interior

The interior of SOUL STORE has a warm, calm atmosphere based on wood grain.

Seating consists of counter seats that single guests can use without hesitation, and table seats where you can spend time slowly with family or friends. Lighting and interior decorations are also stylish, offering a comfort like a cafe rather than a soup curry specialty shop.

Once stepping into the store, it is a very nice space where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and concentrate on your meal.

Location and Access of “SOUL STORE”

Location

“SOUL STORE” is located in Tanukikoji Shopping Street 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City. It is in an easily accessible location within walking distance from Subway Namboku Line “Odori Station” or “Susukino Station.” Because it is on the 2nd floor of a building rather than a street-level shop, it is easy to pass by; caution is needed not to overlook it using the signboard as a landmark.

Information of “SOUL STORE”

Item	Details
Store Name	SOUL STORE
Address	2F F-DRESS 7F Bldg., 3-2 South 3 West 7, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Access	About a 10-minute walk from Subway “Odori Station” or “Susukino Station” (Inside Tanukikoji 7-chome)
Business Hours	11:30–15:00 (L.O. 14:30) 17:30–20:30 (L.O. 20:00)
Closed Days	Irregular holidays
Seating Capacity	22 seats (Counter seats and table seats available)

How Crowded “SOUL STORE” Gets

Because “SOUL STORE” is a popular shop, at the opening time of 11:30, people are already lining up enough to fill the stairs in front of the shop (around 20 groups).

Because “SOUL STORE” has a relatively fast turnover, even if there is a line to some extent, you can enter the shop after waiting 30 minutes or so. If you want to go early and enter, customers start lining up little by little from around 11:00, so if you go before 11:00 and line up, you can often enter in the 1st turn when it opens at 11:30 (not absolute).

“Frequently Asked Questions” for “SOUL STORE”

Summary: “SOUL STORE”

Located in Tanukikoji 7-chome, Sapporo, “SOUL STORE” is a soup curry specialty shop where lines form daily due to creative ingredients and deep-tasting soup. Cooking that brings out the deliciousness of vegetables in particular has a solid reputation, making it a shop you want to check out at least once if visiting Sapporo.

• One-of-a-Kind Topping: The “fried burdock” of a size that pierces through the bowl is exquisite not only in visual impact, but also in its crispy texture and burdock sweetness.
• Specialty Soup and Vegetables: 4 types of soup where dashi is effective and fresh seasonal vegetables sourced from contracted farmers are luxuriously used.
• Rich Menu: Starting from standard chicken, menu types are numerous, and the side menu “Zangi” and rich “Lassi” cannot be missed either.
• Points to Avoid Crowds: Because lines form before opening, if aiming for the 1st turn, lining up 30 minutes before opening (around 11:00) is smooth.

“SOUL STORE” is a recommended shop you definitely want to eat at even in Sapporo, a fiercely contested soup curry area. In a calm store, you can enjoy soup curry with a deep flavor.

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