The restaurant “Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen” (hereafter referred to as “Kumachan Onsen”) opened for business in 2020 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, quickly becoming a go-to spot for single-serve hotpot meals.
What’s fun about the name? Well, in local Hokkaido slang, menkoinabe means “cute hotpot,” and kumachan means “cute bear” in Japanese. So, the name is doubly cute—it’s like saying “Hokkaido’s cute bear hotpot hot spring.” Their most popular dish fits the cute theme, too. It features a hotpot with a bear shape made from broth, collagen, and dietary fiber.
In 2021, the restaurant “Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen Shibuya Miyamasuzaka” opened its doors in Shibuya, Tokyo. It didn’t take long for it to become a hit on social media, all thanks to its unbearably cute bear theme. The restaurant is packed with visitors every day.
Umami Bites writer Bensky didn’t want to miss out and promptly paid a visit to experience the hype first-hand.
Savor Hokkaido in a pot at this adorably unique single-serve hotpot restaurant
The signature dish at Kumachan Onsen is the “Hokkaido Special Menkoi Set,” where you get to enjoy Hokkaido-sourced meats and colorful vegetables in a shabu-shabu hotpot. This popular set lets you taste Hokkaido beef, pork, chicken, and chicken meatballs.
“北海道産 特選めんこいセット,” Hokkaido Special Menkoi Set 2,980 JPY (tax included)
What makes this set so appealing is undoubtedly its visual flair. The sight of a cute teddy bear appearing to bathe in a hot spring is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
The Hokkaido Special Menkoi Set comes with a choice of seven different soup bases, from the creamy soy milk soup to the spicy Korean gochujang soup. The color of your bear changes depending on the soup, so you’ll be tempted to try multiple varieties.
A colorful array of kumachan dolls decorate the restaurant
Bensky went all in and ordered the bonito broth bear!
As his brown kumachan joyfully took a dip and melted away into the bubbling pot, he relished the mouth-watering meats served alongside.
Kumachan Onsen offers various creative touches to elevate your dining experience.
The dipping sauces range from classic soy-ponzu and sesame to more unconventional options like honey-lemon and a sauce inspired by “soup curry,” a local Hokkaido specialty.
Bensky, who tried the honey-lemon sauce, raved, “It adds a refreshing twist to the meat, totally to my liking!”
You can choose your own dipping sauce at the self-service station
Numerous condiments are also available, allowing you to continually switch up flavors. Feel free to experiment and find your ideal combination of sauce and condiments!
You can enjoy a variety of condiments like grated daikon and green onions
After indulging in the hotpot, don’t miss out on the shime, the essential finishing touch!
The Hokkaido Special Menkoi Set offers an array of mouthwatering options for this final course. You’ll be spoiled for choice between dumplings crafted from Hokkaido wheat, the region’s iconic ramen, and Tteok-bokki—a perfect match for spicy broths. Each option is as tempting as the next.
You’ll be enchanted by Kumachan Onsen’s photogenic decor
Not only is the food remarkable at Kumachan Onsen, but so is the interior decor. With large bear plushies at the tables, you’ll find plenty of photogenic moments to capture.
Each table features large bear plushies
Bensky, a big fan of Japan’s kawaii culture, couldn’t resist. He donned the adorable bear-themed hats and gloves—available for a free rental—and struck a bear-paw pose for a memorable photo while waiting for his scrumptious meal.
You’ll also find hidden bears throughout the restaurant.
Why not capture the perfect snapshot as a memento of your visit to Kumachan Onsen?
Must-try desserts at Kumachan Onsen, which you can also enjoy as a café
The first floor of Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen Shibuya Miyamasuzaka also functions as a café named “Kumachan Onsen Oyasumi Place.” It’s a haven for sweet-toothed patrons, with an extensive range of desserts like colorful shaved ice, cream sodas, and soft-serve ice cream.
“くまちゃん温泉 フルーツの湯（いちご）,” Kumachan Onsen Fruit Bath (Strawberry) 2,600 JPY (tax included)
Particularly popular is the “Kumachan Onsen Fruit Bath,” a shaved ice dessert topped with a bear-shaped pudding. It even includes Hokkaido Milk Soft Serve Ice Cream! What an indulgent treat, featuring three types of sweets in one dessert!
Bensky, who has a sweet tooth, was thoroughly satisfied with the generous serving of shaved ice as well as the rich milk flavor of the soft serve ice cream.
The Kumachan Onsen Fruit Bath is available in flavors like strawberry, peach, and melon, making it a fun option to share with friends.
Come and indulge in adorable and delicious offerings at Kumachan Onsen, and create some delightful memories!
Information
| Store name | 北海道めんこい鍋 くまちゃん温泉 渋谷宮益坂店 Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen Shibuya Miyamasuzaka |
|---|---|
| Address | 2F Premist Shibuya Miyamasuzaka, 1-8-10 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Shibuya Station（SBY）4-minute walk from Shibuya Station Exit B4
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| Phone | 03-6427-1613 |
| Reservations | Accepted Official website |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 11:00-15:00（last order 14:00）, 17:00-22:00（last order 21:00） |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 42 seats 23 counter seats, 19 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.kumachan-onsen.jp/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of October 2023.
