The Ropia supermarket, which is now expanding its influence throughout Japan, has finally landed in Hokkaido for the first time. A wide variety of prepared foods, large volumes of meat, and fresh marine products are all surprisingly inexpensive! On the first day of the Lopia Tonden store's opening, the store was so popular that as many as 15,000 people visited the store. To find out just how cosy it really is, here are some "must-buy" items recommended by a local writer who has lived in Hokkaido for 35 years!

Lopia Tonden Store" opens on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Margherita 626 yen

The pizza, which has been a hot topic since its opening, is served freshly baked. With a diameter of approximately 25 cm, it is the perfect size for two or three people to share. Its appearance is comparable to that of specialty restaurants. The moderate acidity of the tomato paste and plenty of cheese make it very satisfying! The subtle flavor of basil paste will keep you coming back for more. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 5 minutes, or if using a frying pan, cover with a lid and warm over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes for better flavor.

The dough is heavy, slightly thin and crispy, and exquisite!

The generous amount of cheese is irresistible!

Seasoned Lamb Jingisukan" 1,598 yen

The original seasoned Jingisukan is of interest to Hokkai-do residents. The content is 800 grams, and the price is less than 200 yen per gram! The meat is made from Australian lamb, which is said to be of high quality, and is characterized by its firm fat content. The sauce is based on soy sauce with plenty of apple, onion, ginger, and garlic for a rich natural sweetness. The unique and robust aroma of the lamb and its robust seasoning keeps the unpleasant smell at bay. This was a taste that even Hokkai-do residents could agree on.

Lamb that is well seasoned and tender.

It has plenty of sauce, so I like to eat it while simmering vegetables.

Fresh Atlantic Salmon for Sashimi (Mega Pack)" 270 yen per gram (739 grams in the photo)

Norwegian raw salmon with plenty of fat. Sold in a half-meat size with the halas (the fatty part) and back meat in one piece, it can be used not only for sashimi but also for a variety of other dishes. We recommend eating the fatty halas raw as sashimi, but if you can't use it all at once, cut it into pieces and freeze the halas and back meat.

A full cutting board is a sight to behold!

Carpaccio with a twist. Perfect with a glass of wine!

Salmon cut into chunks and seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil, yukaye style.

Frozen fillets can be made into meuniere. If it is pre-frozen, it can be served in rare condition.

Yumitsuki Meat Dumplings made by a butcher" 754 yen

These original dumplings originated in a butcher store. The dumplings are made with coarsely ground Japanese pork and are packed with the texture of plenty of cabbage and the aroma of garlic and ginger. It has a sharp flavor of aromatic vegetables and an overwhelming sense of meatiness. The flavor is so strong that you could eat it as is without the sauce. They are large, weighing 25 grams each, and the fact that there are 30 of them in the package is irresistible.

Maybe a little much for one family's dinner? The extra portion can be served with dinner!

The skin is moist from the juices. And yet it's still chunky!

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

Our cheesecakes are highly reputed by word of mouth on the Internet. The baked cheesecakes, baked one by one in the oven, are golden brown and aromatic!　The New York cheesecake, which is baked slowly over a long period of time in a hot water bath, has an irresistibly moist and smooth texture. It is said to contain 69% Australian cream cheese, which gives it a rich cheese flavor. The rich sweetness also fills the mouth. The size of the cake is about 4 servings and is very satisfying.

Serve with strawberries for dessert (strawberries were also cheap at 430 yen per pack...!)

Lopia opened on the first floor of CiiNA CiiNA Tonda (former Yokado Tonda store)

The first time I went to Lopia, I was surprised at the prices. Fresh foods are inexpensive, with daily-use pork slices at 78 yen per gram, chives at 100 yen per bunch, and cabbage at 158 yen per ball, all at prices one can't resist. Foods for special occasions, such as marbled beef, also seem to be 20-30% cheaper than the general price.

In addition, the deli corner offers a wide variety of prepared foods and in generous portions. I was interested in all of the products! This supermarket is not only for daily use, but is especially useful in the coming Christmas and New Year's seasons. For first-time customers, please note that the bill is cash only!

*Products and amounts are current at the time of the interview.