"Ashibetsu City, known as the 'hometown of stars,' was once a thriving town with a population of 75,000 at its peak, thanks to its coal mines. The main street of Ashibetsu City is now quiet due to a declining population, but in the past, it was bustling with many residents. In a corner of this street, you can find Iroha Butcher Shop, which offers delicious Genghis Khan (grilled lamb). Their meat, although thinner compared to other shops, pairs perfectly with the sweet and savory sauce, creating a taste that never gets old. If you prefer meat with a strong flavor or a firmer texture, you may find it lacking, but I believe the balanced taste is well done. Ashibetsu also has a great camping site, so be sure to give it a try."

On a sunny Sunday, I decided to stroll around Ashibetsu City. The weather was nice, so I drove around the town. I found a butcher shop near the station that was open, so I was curious and decided to visit. Above the entrance, it said "Genghis Khan and Hormone Shop." I wondered if that was their specialty product. When I entered and looked at the showcase, there were only signs with no actual items displayed. It was a new type of shop for me. After carefully reading all the signs, I realized they specialized in Genghis Khan, Hormone, Kalbi, and Pork Toro. It was a very focused lineup, but then again, when you go to a yakiniku restaurant, you usually order the same things, so maybe that's not a problem (laughs). I bought 500g of marinated mutton Genghis Khan and top hormone, as well as dipping sauce for hormone and a spicy spice set. The mutton Genghis Khan didn't have much of a strong smell (maybe I'm used to it). When grilled, it had a proper mutton flavor and was soft and juicy when cooked like a stewed Genghis Khan. The top hormone was thinly sliced pork intestine with miso flavor. We grilled it on a plate this time, but I think it would taste better grilled on charcoal. If you're looking to buy hormone, this might be the place to go. I saw they had other premium options, so I'd like to try those next time. Thank you for the meal.