Ika Shumai is a local specialty that brings together the rich flavor and distinctive texture of Hakodate’s famous squid with the familiar form of Japanese shumai dumplings. Hakodate is renowned for its exceptionally fresh squid, and this dish offers a delicious way to enjoy its flavor in a single bite.
To make Ika Shumai, whole squid is finely ground into a paste and blended with the filling used for shumai. The mixture is shaped into small balls and then covered with thin strips of shumai wrapper before being steamed.
The finely shredded shumai wrapper becomes light and fluffy when steamed, creating a delicate outer texture that pairs beautifully with soy sauce or seasoned dipping sauce. Beneath the wrapper, the squid-based filling delivers a concentrated taste of the sea.
Because the squid is ground whole, the filling offers not only the squid’s natural umami and richness but also occasional pieces of cartilage that provide a pleasantly crisp, chewy texture. This contrast between the soft wrapper and the springy squid makes Ika Shumai especially satisfying.
Ika Shumai can be enjoyed as a side dish with steamed rice or as a savory accompaniment to drinks. Its compact size and easy-to-eat shape also make it a convenient way to sample one of Hakodate’s best-known seafood ingredients.
For travelers exploring Hakodate’s celebrated food culture, Ika Shumai is a simple yet distinctive specialty that captures the flavor of local squid while adding an appealing shumai-style texture.