I visited the bustling district of Hanazono in Otaru City for the first time in January 2022. In one corner of the area, there is a shop that used to supply snacks to the lively snack bars in Hanazono. They offer a variety of dried snacks that were originally sold by a specialty food manufacturer. One of their specialties is "Tako-Atama," a delicacy made from octopus head. Hokkaido locals love not only the legs but also the head of octopus as sashimi. Their "Wasabi Mame" is a spicy treat that is hard to resist. "Ebi Mangetsu" is a mini rice cracker filled with the savory flavor of shrimp. Another unique item is the "Goma Sankyodai," which is dried cod with sesame sandwiched in between. This is quite a new discovery for me, as I am more familiar with "Chitara." These dried snacks are perfect for a home drinking session with "Manbo" sake. If you find yourself in Hanazono, why not try these unique delicacies for your evening drink?

Welcome! ┌¬o”＊　＊　＊　2015.01　↓When you go down from the Hanazono district in Otaru City along Park Avenue, you will find a rare delicacy shop on your right side! Otaru is blessed with a variety of fish, so I think the delicacies here are especially delicious. The bell rings "ding-dong♪" and customers are coming - the sound of being caught off guard is noticeable as the customers enter at the same time. There are about 100 types of rare delicacies lined up on the wall, most of them available in two sizes, and many with a "special price" mark. It's almost paper-thin whether it's actually a special price, but let's try some of the newly arrived goods and the unique Otaru specialties. The hatahata simmered in soy sauce is a proclaimed rare delicacy with a tender, sweet-salty taste that goes well with a glass of sake! There are also chocolate balls, bean snacks, and snacks like "kakipi" on the middle shelf. The chigirikasube is a soft type that is easy to tear apart, with a moist and tender texture. The octopus head is also intriguing, but many locals prefer the head over the legs. Tom usually only eats the legs, but in supermarkets, the cheaper heads are preferred by the common people. I will come back again soon, maybe to target the heads, thank you for the delicious meal!