There are many reasonably priced and delicious foods in the region compared to Tokyo, but I would highly recommend the closing parfait (night parfait) in Hokkaido.
Hmm? What is a shime parfait? Many of you may be wondering.
Shime parfait is something that is eaten as a finale after drinking alcohol. In Fukuoka, for example, one custom is to eat ramen as a finale to drinking.
In the case of Hokkaido, it seems to be customary to eat parfait to end a night of drinking, and there are many restaurants specializing in parfait to end a night of drinking, each with its own unique characteristics.
In this article, I will explain the history of the parfait to end a meal in Hokkaido, the points of attraction, recommended specialty stores, and sightseeing spots in the area, while also sharing my own experiences.
I hope you will find this article a good opportunity to get to know about the closing parfait in Hokkaido.
How did Hokkaido’s shime parfait come into being in the first place?
Hokkaido’s shime parfait was originally born out of the “eat something sweet after drinking” culture that existed in the city of Sapporo, especially in the Susukino area.
A major turning point came in 2015, when Crypton Future Media Inc. and Arica Design Ltd. took the lead in forming the Sapporo Parfait Promotion Committee.
The term “shime parfait” was coined, and PR activities were actively promoted as a new food culture in Sapporo.
In the same year, “Parfeteria Pal,” a night parfait specialty restaurant, was opened, becoming a pioneer in the field of parfait specialty restaurants.
Why did the shime parfait take root in Hokkaido?
There are three main reasons why the shime parfait culture took root in Hokkaido.
First, Hokkaido has always had a culture of enjoying ice cream and sweets because of the abundance of high-quality dairy products from its extensive dairy farming industry.
Second, there is a physiological phenomenon where the body craves sugar after drinking, and parfaits made with fresh dairy products and fruits from Hokkaido were a perfect match.
Another factor that contributed to the spread of parfaits was the ease with which pictures of beautiful and gorgeous parfaits could be spread, coinciding with the advent of the social networking age.
Thus, the culture of ending the day with parfaits instead of ramen spread from Sapporo to the rest of the country.
Wow. It is interesting to know that the spread of the parfait culture in Hokkaido is due in large part to the effect of looking good in the age of social networking…
Three Attractions of Hokkaido’s Closing Parfait
I have summarized some of the attractions of the closing parfait in Hokkaido.
Highly artistic appearance and composition
The main attractions of Hokkaido’s closing parfait are its artistic appearance and delicate composition.
The patissiers and chefs at each store create each parfait as a “work of art.
In particular, popular stores such as “Night Parfait Specialty Parfait Terrier Pal” and “Nanakamado” give parfaits a storyline, expressing the “origin and ending” of the parfait.
In addition, they offer limited-edition menus that take advantage of seasonal ingredients, and are meticulous about their decorations.
Layers are placed from the bottom of the glass to the top, and as you eat your way through, you will discover new flavors, so you will never get bored until the very last sip.
It is truly an “art of eating,” an experience that looks great in front of the cameras of visitors to Japan.
The attention to high quality ingredients from Hokkaido
One of the reasons why Hokkaido’s closing parfait is so special is its commitment to high-quality local ingredients.
Hokkaido is known as one of Japan’s leading dairy farming regions, and ice cream and gelato made from fresh raw milk has a rich yet elegant flavor.
Many stores use carefully selected ingredients, such as “Hokkaido milk” and “milk from Brown Swiss cows in Shibecha Town,” specifying the place of origin and even the breed of cow.
In addition, seasonal fruits (Yubari melons, strawberries from Hokkaido, etc.) are also used in abundance.
In addition, the “mischievous Suzuran” menu, which incorporates Japanese flavors such as matcha green tea and Kaga-bocha green tea, is also popular, offering a luxurious experience that allows diners to enjoy the four seasons and culture of Japan at the same time.
Sophisticated space and taste “for adults
The essence of Jime Parfait lies in its sophisticated concept of “for adults.
Many night parfait specialty stores have a chic, adult atmosphere with subdued bar-like lighting and décor.
The parfaits themselves are not overly sweet, but have a perfect balance of bitterness and acidity, and many parfaits are made with alcohol.
For example, products that incorporate Hokkaido’s local sake and spirits, such as “Niseko Distillery’s Gin” and “Sake Ice Cream,” are also distinctive.
Many stores also offer parfaits paired with alcoholic beverages, allowing customers to savor them with beer, sake, or cocktails for a more sophisticated “shime parfait” experience.
It is an elegant way to finish off a night of drinking, and one that only adults can enjoy.
Indeed. It’s interesting that it’s not just something to eat, but also an artistic way to enjoy the beauty of its appearance…
My recommendation for the best parfait restaurants in Hokkaido
In this article, I will introduce some of the best parfait restaurants in Hokkaido and their recommended menus.
My recommendation for the best parfait stores in Hokkaido
My recommendation for the best parfait stores in Hokkaido
Parfait, coffee, sake, Sato
✅ Recommended Points
- This is a famous privately owned restaurant known as a pioneer of Sapporo’s tightening parfait culture.
- Since its opening in 2016, it has been the most popular parfait store in Sapporo, and even now, after relocating and renovating in April 2024, it is still a popular place with lines out the door every day.
- It offers parfaits made with all ingredients and handmade in a modern Japanese-style space with counter seats and small seating areas.
- Now open from noon, it is easier for tourists to visit.
✅ Recommended menu
- Salted caramel and pistachio
- The most popular menu item representing the restaurant, this gem combines bittersweet caramel ice cream and rich pistachio ice cream with sweet and sour blackcurrant mousse.
- The jellied rindomon gives it a refreshing aftertaste, making it a perfect match with alcoholic beverages.
- The “ups and downs” of the composition is characterized by the layering of multiple ingredients in the glass, allowing you to enjoy different tastes as you eat each bite.
- You can experience the royal road of Sapporo Jime Parfait, which is recognized by both locals and tourists.
Barra Penguin-do
✅ Recommended Points
- This long-established restaurant has been serving night parfaits since before the Sapporo parfait boom, and is said to have ignited the “shime parfait” culture.
- The unique name “Barrer” is a coined word combining the words “bar” and “parlor,” and its main feature is that you can enjoy both parfaits and alcoholic beverages.
- The shop’s signature soft-serve ice cream is made with plenty of fresh milk from Hokkaido (East Hokkaido), and the air content is adjusted by a high-performance machine to achieve a smooth texture that melts on the tongue.
✅ Recommended menu
- Strawberry and yogurt parfait
- Yogurt gelato with a refreshing taste and exquisite acidity is hidden under a luxurious sorbet made from “Amao,” the king of strawberries.
- The perfect balance of visual beauty and taste makes it a refreshing finish to a meal or even after drinking alcohol.
- The set menu with a choice of 35 different drinks is also popular, and the combination with the staff’s recommended champagne is particularly well received.
Night parfait specialty store Nanakamado
✅ Recommended Points
- This night parfait specialty store opened in 2017 as a sister store of Parfeteria Pal.
- Located on the second floor of the No. 4 Fujii Building in the Susukino district of Sapporo, it features a space with a Japanese feel, with counter seats and small seats.
- The restaurant incorporates a Japanese taste that sets it apart from other claustrophobic parfait stores and attracts fans with its original menu items, such as parfaits with the flavor of Japanese sake.
- Each season, the restaurant offers about six carefully selected menu items, all of which are delicately composed and artistically presented.
✅ Recommended menu
- Mischievous “Suzuran” – return of happiness
- This is the restaurant’s signature dish, a parfait that offers the luxury of three different tea flavors: matcha, hojicha, and Ishikawa’s famous Kaga-bocha tea.
- The parfait is made with rich matcha gelato, white sesame seed langdosha, glutinous gyuhi, and many other Japanese ingredients.
- The bottom of the glass is covered with Kaga-bocha tea jelly, which keeps the taste refreshing until the last sip.
- With its alcohol-infused adult flavor and creative visuals, this is a closing parfait that allows you to experience Japanese culture.
Oh. Not only the parfaits, but also the atmosphere of each restaurant is unique, so it’s really hard to decide which one to choose…
Column: What is the difference between parfait, parfait, and sundae?
What is the difference between parfait, parfait, and sundae?
Actually, the differences have an interesting historical background.
Parfait and parfait are different names for the same dessert, and are derived from the French word “parfait,” meaning “perfect.
The original French parfait was a simple ice cream-like chilled treat made by mixing egg yolks with sugar and whipped cream and freezing it, then garnishing it with sauce and fruit.
Sundaes, on the other hand, originated in the United States and were originally sold on “Sundays.
It got its name from the fact that it was enjoyed as a special dessert on Sunday, the Christian Sabbath, at the end of the 19th century.
In Japan, these desserts have evolved in their own unique way, and today there is little clear distinction between them.
In Sapporo’s tight-knit parfait culture, both “parfait” and “parfait” can be found, but the essence is the same.
Heh. I have always wondered about the difference in terminology, but in Japan, they are used in the same way without any distinction…
Recommended places to stop in Hokkaido between the closing parfait
Here are three recommended places to stop by in Hokkaido during your way to the closing parfait.
✅ Odori Park
Located in the heart of Sapporo, Odori Park is a symbolic park of Sapporo stretching east to west for about 1.5 km from 1-chome to 12-chome.
The park is beautiful with seasonal flowers and well-maintained lawns, and various events are held in each season.
The Sapporo Snow Festival and White Illumination in winter and the YOSAKOI Soran Festival and beer garden in summer are especially famous.
At the eastern end of the park is the Sapporo TV Tower, whose observation deck offers a spectacular view of the entire park.
Since it is within walking distance from the Susukino area, it is the perfect place to stroll around after having a closing parfait.
