The supermarket chain "Lopia," currently expanding its presence across Japan, has finally made its debut in Hokkaido. From an abundance of prepared foods and bulk-sized meats to fresh seafood, everything is surprisingly affordable! The "Lopia Tonden Store" was so popular that it attracted 15,000 visitors on its opening day. Just how good is the value? A local writer who has lived in Hokkaido for 35 years introduces the "absolute must-buy products"!

The "Lopia Tonden Store" opened on Saturday, November 23, 2024

Margherita Pizza: 626 yen

The pizza, which has been a hot topic since the opening, is served freshly baked. At about 25 cm in diameter, it's the perfect size for 2-3 people to share. It looks just as good as one from a specialty pizza shop. The moderate acidity of the tomato paste and the generous amount of cheese make it incredibly satisfying! A subtle hint of basil pesto ensures you won't get tired of the flavor. To reheat, warm it in a preheated 200°C oven for about 5 minutes, or use a frying pan with a lid over medium heat for 2-3 minutes for an even tastier result.

It has a satisfying weight, and the slightly thin, crispy crust is exquisite

You can't resist this much cheese

"Seasoned Lamb Genghis Khan": 1,598 yen

As a Hokkaido local, I was particularly curious about their original seasoned Genghis Khan (Jingisukan). The package contains 800g, bringing the price to under 200 yen per 100g! It uses high-quality Australian lamb, characterized by its rich marbling. The soy sauce-based marinade is packed with apple, onion, ginger, and garlic, giving it a natural, deep sweetness. You can taste the distinct, robust flavor of the lamb, while the powerful seasoning effectively masks any gaminess. This is a taste that even Hokkaido natives can get behind.

The tender lamb is thoroughly soaked in flavor

There's plenty of marinade, so you'll want to simmer it with lots of vegetables

"Fresh Atlantic Salmon for Sashimi (Mega Pack)": 270 yen per 100g (photo shows a 739g piece)

This fresh Norwegian salmon is incredibly fatty. It's sold as a half-fillet that includes both the belly (toro) and the back meat, making it versatile for various dishes beyond just sashimi. The fattier belly portion is recommended for eating raw, such as in sashimi. If you can't use it all at once, separate the belly and back meat and freeze them.

Its impressive size covers the entire cutting board

With a little effort, it becomes carpaccio. Perfect with wine.

Diced and seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil for a yukhoe-style salmon dish

The frozen fillet can be made into meunière. If it wasn't frozen, you could cook it rare.

"Addictive Meat Gyoza Made by a Butcher": 754 yen

These are Lopia's original gyoza, which is fitting as the company started as a butcher shop. They use coarsely ground domestic pork and are packed with the texture of cabbage and the aroma of garlic and ginger. The sharp flavor of the aromatic vegetables complements the overwhelming meatiness. The seasoning is quite strong, so you could probably eat them without any dipping sauce. Each gyoza is a large 25 grams, and you get 30 of them in a bag—an irresistible deal.

This might be a bit much for one family dinner. The leftovers are perfect with a drink!

The skin, having absorbed the meat juices, is moist yet still chewy

From left: "Baked Cheesecake" and "New York Cheesecake," 539 yen each

This cheesecake is highly rated in online reviews. The Baked Cheesecake, baked individually in the oven, has a fragrant, golden-brown top! The New York Cheesecake, said to be slowly baked in a water bath for a long time, has an irresistibly moist and smooth texture. Made with about 69% Australian cream cheese, the cheese flavor is incredibly rich. A full-bodied sweetness fills your mouth. The size is enough for about four people, making it a very satisfying dessert.

Served with strawberries for dessert (the strawberries were also cheap at 430 yen a pack…!)

Lopia opened on the 1st floor of "CiiNA CiiNA Tonden" (the former Ito-Yokado Tonden store)

My first visit to Lopia was, in a word, astonishing because of the prices. The fresh produce is cheap; everyday items like thinly sliced pork were 78 yen per 100g. With vegetable prices soaring lately, nira chives were 100 yen a bunch and a whole head of cabbage was 158 yen—prices that make you want to grab everything. Even special occasion items like marbled beef seemed 20-30% cheaper than average.

Furthermore, the delicatessen corner has an incredible variety of prepared foods in generous portions. Every single item looked tempting! It's great for daily shopping, but it seems like an especially useful supermarket for the upcoming Christmas and New Year's season. For first-time visitors, please note that they only accept cash for payment!

*Products and prices are as of the time of reporting.