There are lots of things that are great about skiing in Niseko. The iron-tight dining scene during the winter peak season isn’t one of them. (Nor is waiting in line in the freezing cold for a sit-down drink at Niseko’s famous ‘fridge bar’, where this year I observed long queues and lengthy waits in the snow due to Japan’s common no- bookings policy). Niseko is, without a doubt, Hokkaido’s most well-known ski resort and high on the list of holiday destinations for Aussies. But in winter, restaurants get booked up months in advance. Few take walk-ins. If you’re none-the-wiser, it can put a dampener on the experience. But I recently discovered a novel solution to beating the dining shut-out in Niseko: a ramen food truck that rocks up to your accommodation and cooks your soup on the spot.

Picture: Jenny Hewett

What is it?

Owned by young Japanese couple, chef Hitoshi-san and Akari-san, Ramen Tsukiakari launched in December last year and is a private food truck service that will come to your accommodation in Niseko and cook you ramen fresh on the spot. They offer four types of the noodle soup, as well as alcohol including sake and beer, and they operate from 5pm everyday except Monday.

How to book

Their website, is mostly user-friendly, but may take a little guidance to navigate. Hit the ’order now’ button, make sure ‘All’ is selected under the ‘Reservation time zone’ tab, then select a date and a time slot. You’ll then be able to select your choice of four ramens, as well as sides and drinks. They’ll ask for your name and address of accommodation, and remind you to have your cash ready. (This is not imperative, however, as card facilities were available when they arrived).

Picture via Instagram: @menya_tsukiakari

How it works

I receive an email from Akari-san after I make my booking to confirm the date, order, address and time. I make the booking for 7.30pm and at around 7.38pm, a smart charcoal-forest green truck with timber framing pulls into the driveway of our hotel near Grand Hirafu. The carpark at the hotel is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle and it takes a while for the truck to find a suitable spot to setup. Akari-san and Hitoshi-san introduce themselves and get preparing our shio ramen with boiled egg ($36 each). It’s not the cheapest ramen, but it’s worth it for the convenience and comfort of eating in our hotel after a long day of travel. While we wait, we enjoy sake on-the- spot ($25 for a small glass of what appears to be premium sake, which seems a little steep). This isn’t a big deal, as there is a supermarket down the road to stock up on booze. From outside the truck, we can see hot steam rising from the stylish kitchen inside (designed by Akari), as the noodles boil and bubble away. After about 25 minutes, the ramen is ready and served in plastic takeaway bowls that my friend Phil and I take up to eat in the warmth of our suite at Intuition Niseko, https://nisade.com/accommodation/intuition.

Picture via Instagram: @menya_tsukiakari

How it tastes

Absolutely delicious. The broth is light with pork mince and slices of generous thick- cut pork belly chasu throughout, topped with spring onions, bamboo shoots, seaweed and squiggly al-dente noodles. The plastic bowl the ramen is served in features pretty Chinese-style motifs, however, it doesn’t appear to be recyclable.

Picture: Jenny Hewett

The verdict

9/10

It feels good to support a young local couple and chef Hitoshi-san is a talented chef. The ramen is delicious, the truck is a beast in the best way, and service is personable and friendly. You won’t be disappointed.

Picture: Jenny Hewett