Families who gave up on a famous conveyor-belt sushi spot, or who can’t wait long with kids, may find this useful.
1. Why We Ended Up at Sushi Zanmai Sapporo: A 2.5-Hour Wait at Toriton
Before the trip, countless blogs and videos told us that Toriton Sushi is a must in Sapporo.
Full of hope, I headed to Toriton holding my child’s hand.
Reality was harsh.
The ticket machine showed an estimated wait of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
“Mom, I’m hungry…”
That small complaint snapped me back. A great meal matters, but time on a trip is precious, and waiting 150 minutes in freezing weather or a cramped waiting room with a child was nearly impossible.
“Give up fast and find a sure alternative.”
I opened Google Maps and headed into Susukino, where Sushi Zanmai Sapporo, the chain famous across Japan as the “tuna king,” caught my eye.
2. First Impressions in Bustling Susukino
Past the glowing Nikka sign, the symbol of Susukino, we reached Sushi Zanmai, where a life-size cutout of owner Kiyoshi Kimura greeted us with his hearty laugh.
Here are the three reasons we chose it.
No waiting stress: even at dinner peak, quick turnover got us in within five minutes.
Kid-friendly atmosphere: lively rather than hushed, so we felt relaxed eating with a child. 24-hour opening: whether you crave a late-night snack or an early breakfast in Sapporo, it’s always open, a real comfort for travelers.
Seating is split between counter seats and tables, and with a child we were shown to a roomy table. The staff’s loud “Irasshaimase!” seemed to thaw our frozen bodies.
A tip: Sushi Zanmai began at Tokyo’s Tsukiji market and is famous for winning tuna auctions with record bids. If you can’t decide, focus on tuna for a no-fail order.
3. What to Eat: Menu and Ordering
Hot green tea and wet towels arrived as soon as we sat down. You order via a tablet or paper order sheet at each table, and Korean menus are available, so no Japanese needed.
Here are the main dishes and price ranges at the time of our visit; prices may change.
Recommended menu.
Special Sushi Zanmai set (around 3,000 yen): 13 popular pieces including fatty, medium-fatty and lean tuna, eel, shrimp and egg, the best value.
Maguro Zanmai (around 3,500 yen): a set of various tuna cuts, a must for tuna lovers. Single pieces worth ordering: otoro that melts in your mouth, fresh Hokkaido uni, sweet botan shrimp and salmon roe gunkan that kids love.
We ordered one set plus egg sushi and salmon for our child, and uni and scallops for me.
4. Did Sushi Zanmai Sapporo Make Up for Missing Toriton?
Time for the taste test. The chefs made each order right in front of us, and the glossy fish proved that skipping Toriton was the right call.
Tuna quality: Sushi Zanmai really is about tuna. The otoro vanished after a few chews, leaving only rich flavor, with no frozen texture.
Hokkaido seafood: I felt bad for doubting a chain. Hokkaido scallops were sweet, and even my husband, sensitive to fishy flavors, nodded over the uni gunkan.
Rice balance: the rice wasn’t mushy and loosened nicely in the mouth, seasoned just enough not to overpower the fish.
When my child gave a thumbs-up saying, “Mom, the egg sushi is so good!”, I was glad we skipped the 2.5-hour wait. Hungry, cranky time had turned into a happy meal.
Not a Backup, the Best Choice
We left full and relaxed. Local conveyor-belt spots like Toriton or Nemuro Hanamaru have their own charm and value, but on a trip, time and energy can’t be bought.
We recommend Sushi Zanmai Sapporo for families who can’t wait long with kids or parents, travelers on tight schedules who want to save time, and anyone craving sushi late at night after a drink in Susukino.
On our next Sapporo trip, if the lines are long, we’ll head straight to Sushi Zanmai. With taste, service and access in balance, it wasn’t a compromise but a smart choice.
Planning a trip to Sapporo? Don’t stress too much about waits. Sometimes the real joy of travel is found somewhere you walked into by chance.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in December 2025 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.
More Family Trips on Yans World
- Otaru Sushi Guide: Why We Skipped Waraku and Found Toppi — No Wait, Better Value
- Sapporo Jogai Market vs Nijo Market: Why We Chose Jogai for the Best Kaisendon
- Sapporo Ramen Guide: 4 Must-Try Flavors at Yoshiyama Shoten Soseibashi
Schedules and prices can change, so check the Japan National Tourism Organization official site before you go.