Stima is the abbreviation for Delica Steam Muffin, but I still don't fully understand the meaning. I interpreted it simply as a side dish muffin. Next to the ham and sausage specialty store Salumi Hayashi, there used to be a croquette specialty store which has since moved. In its place, a new Stima specialty store called Cercle has opened. I purchased three types: chocolate, pumpkin custard, and Chinjao Rosu. The Chinjao Rosu Stima was a side dish type of muffin with Chinjao Rosu ingredients on top and inside the muffin. The muffin itself was moist, fluffy, and chewy with a gentle sweetness. They use Hokkaido wheat, sugar, salt, and natural yeast for both the base and the side dish, resulting in delicious muffins. On the opening day, they attracted attention from bus passengers, and even after entering the store, there were customers waiting outside. During the day, it is takeout only, so I imagine the store can get quite crowded with around four customers inside. They also have a "Night Time" option for side dishes and alcohol, and I would like to visit during that time as well. They provide one free drink ticket per person which can be used until the end of November, and while it would be better to use it for a group, I still want to visit within that time frame.

"The restaurant 'Cercle maruyama' opened on October 13, 2022, at the site of a former croquette shop in front of the bus stop 'Maruyama Daiichi Torii' towards Otaru. They specialize in 'Steam Muffins' or 'Stimas,' which are like cupcake-sized steamed buns available in savory and dessert varieties priced around 250-300 yen. The savory options include 'Green Tea with Beans,' 'Ginger Yakisoba,' 'Kinpira Double,' 'Ching Jao Lo,' 'Korokoro Satsuma,' and more. I tried the 'Curry @280' and 'Edamame Bacon Cheese @280,' which were handed to me in a brown paper bag for takeout. The curry muffin had a soft texture with a mild keema curry filling, lacking spiciness but could be more flavorful. The edamame bacon cheese muffin had a delicious dough with a hint of salt and a nice edamame crunch, although the cheese flavor was subtle. The pricing made me feel like I was getting less value compared to larger Chinese buns or higher-end items priced around 300 yen. They also offer a standing bar service from 5 pm, with a more elaborate menu that seems intriguing. Overall, it was a decent experience, but I would recommend checking their social media for any long-term closures before visiting."

An easy-to-enter shop. The appetizers were delicious, and I ended up drinking two cups instead of one.