Salmon in Tomakomai, famous for its paper mills!?

The ingredients for tonight's yakiniku party are quite complete! We've stocked up on ham & sausages, Genghis Khan, and even offal. But since we're in Tomakomai, we must visit "Oji Salmon," a renowned local shop. Let's see what souvenirs they offer! Tomakomai is known for Oji Paper, a paper mill, and the city has developed alongside it. Many hospitals and hotels bear its name, including Oji Salmon, a seafood processing company. It's a top brand for authentic smoked salmon, originating from Tomakomai. Our expectations are high! The store was bright and clean. They offered a wide selection of products for every occasion, from luxury gifts for formal presents to casual souvenirs for friends and family. For my family's souvenir, I chose 'Offshore-caught Natural Sockeye Salmon.' The package features a 'World Certified 1% Natural Salmon' mark, indicating its rarity. Only 1% of natural salmon is caught globally, making this truly precious. Fish are typically labeled by their landing location, so Tokishirazu and Sockeye salmon are often marked as Russian. However, 'Oji Salmon' uses its own fishing vessels for landing. That's incredible! Their dedication to quality is truly thorough. Well, shall we buy one more souvenir-like item? The cameraman is staring intently at a box. Which one caught your eye? Are you that interested? He stared like a child and silently pointed. Alright, let's get that one. It's called 'Toro~ri Salmon Pao.' I'll explain it in detail later, but it appears to be a shumai made with dairy and salmon. Hokkaido residents often combine salmon and dairy. There are countless examples: salmon in white stew or gratin, cheese fondue, or cream sauce with salmon meunière. This is a perfect Hokkaido-style souvenir to recommend to visitors! It's fish, and we bought a lot. So, let's just say, 'We got it!'

The final ingredient: Eastern Iburi's proud brand Genghis Khan!

Finally, we head for the last shop, "Ichihara Meat Shop." From Tomakomai City, it's about an hour's drive via National Route 36 to National Route 234, reaching Atsuma Town. Many might wonder, 'A butcher shop for souvenirs?' But this shop sells 'Azuma Genghis Khan,' a brand of meat only available here. Wouldn't you like to try it? As you might imagine, Hokkaido natives eat Genghis Khan often. In summer, we grill outdoors; in winter, we use hot plates. Hokkaido natives crave it year-round—it's in our blood. When I was a child, if we grilled Genghis Khan in the garden, neighbors would naturally gather and join us. I, too, was often treated to meals at other homes. Genghis Khan is no longer a noun; it's a verb! It's like, "Shall we Genghis Khan today?" "Sounds good!" Of course, people also have their favorite brands. Matsuo Genghis Khan, Kanehiro Genghis Khan, and Naganuma Genghis Khan are probably famous. "Ichihara Meat Shop's 'Azuma Genghis Khan' is also a highly popular brand. Many customers reportedly travel from Northern and Eastern Hokkaido, not just the Sapporo area, to buy it! Now, the 'Azuma Genghis Khan' comes in two types: Regular and Special. The Regular features various cuts, sliced for easy eating and marinated in a secret sauce. It's known for its higher fat content and tender texture. Many Azuma Genghis Khan fans prefer the Regular for its unique lamb sweetness. The Special, however, uses only lean loin. While also marinated in the secret sauce, it has less lamb aroma, making it more approachable for non-Hokkaido residents. Our family are all Hokkaido natives, so Regular is fine, but we'll try both for a taste comparison! The store sold not just meat, but also paper plates, chopsticks, aluminum pots, grills, Genghis Khan sauce, bean sprouts, and udon. They've thought of everything! On a nice day, you could have an outdoor Genghis Khan party right away!

All the stars for our Hokkaido Yakiniku party are here!

With all the shopping done, I hurried home. From Atsuma Town, using the expressway (Dō-Ō Expressway Chitose IC – Sasson Expressway Fushiko IC, Kei car toll 740 yen), it's about 70km and takes roughly 1.5 hours. I arrived back in Sapporo around 7 PM. It was completely dark, but I snapped a photo in the car to commemorate today's haul. It became a wonderful memory with my daughter! Now, let's head home and start cooking. The Jingisukan tasting party begins! This time, we used a hot plate to grill the sausages and salmon we bought, along with the offal we won in the lottery. For vegetables, bean sprouts, bell peppers, or any leftover vegetables at home are fine. Bean sprouts, onions, and potatoes are highly recommended! Here are the items purchased this time. [Hokkaido Chitose Ham Factory Direct Sales Store] Original Set 1,242 yen 'Pork Sausage Chitose' seemed to condense the original flavor of the meat, and its taste certainly justified its No. 1 popularity. For families with children, having plenty of sausages and bacon is always a joy. I'm so envious of the locals who can buy them cheaper than market price! [Hokkaido Tarumae Kobo Direct Sales Store] Soft Thick-Cut Jingisukan (Frozen) 850g 1,000 yen A pack with a mix of mutton and lamb. The 8mm thick slices offer substantial texture and chewiness! The sweet seasoning pairs perfectly with rice. Even if slightly overcooked, the meat remains juicy and tender. I'd love to enjoy it grilled over a net in summer! [Oji Salmon Tomakomai / Hokkaido Factory Direct Store] (Right) Melty Salmon Pao (Frozen) 6 pieces 864 yen A dish where Oji Salmon's smoked salmon and a special béchamel sauce made with Hokkaido milk meet inside a pao (bun). The rich cheese and salmon flavor were a perfect match. Its vibrant appearance would also make it a striking appetizer! (Left) Wild Offshore-Caught Sockeye Salmon 2 slices 702 yen Slowly steam-grilled on a hot plate to prevent burning. The moist and fluffy grilled salmon had just the right amount of salt, allowing its natural flavor to shine. Eating it as is, or in simple ways like onigiri, is highly recommended. [Ichihara Meat Shop] (Right) Azuma Jingisukan Regular 400g 700 yen (Left) Azuma Jingisukan Special 400g 800 yen The ingredients used in the marinade are thoroughly Hokkaido-sourced and homemade. The moment you taste it, the flavors of apple, onion, and ginger fill your mouth. They say using unheated marinade makes the meat even more tender. It's truly tender when quickly grilled! The refreshing seasoning makes it easy to eat endlessly. A Hokkaido-filled Jingisukan party. Watching my daughter happily eat, a smile naturally spread across my face. Family and delicious food. With these, nothing else is needed! I'm already looking forward to searching for souvenirs next time!! Total mileage today: 210km Product purchase cost: 5,308 yen