The Nispa’s Lover’s Lunch, in which the taste of Biratori can be enjoyed in one dish
| FEATURE ARTICLES | Sun Rises on the Nibutani Kotan The Nispa’s Lover’s Lunch, in which the taste of Biratori can be enjoyed in one dish
Located alongside National Highway Route 237 from Nibutani to Sapporo is Kurobeko, which specializes in Biratori wagyu beef. The restaurant’s manager, Yamaguchi is the representative of the Local Production for Local Consumption Group, made up of six restaurants and eateries in the town. The group was formed sometime around 2007, when local gourmet dishes were created for a tourism magazine project.
The creativity of the dishes is left to the participating establishment, but the definition requires that Biratori rice, Biratori-produced wagyu beef or black pork, and Biratori tomatoes (including processed ones) must be used, and that the dishes are offered under the name of “Nispa’s Lover’s Lunch” at a price of 980 yen, including tax. Each shop changes its menu every six months, and competes to create new dishes; this is the 13th year the project has been implemented.
Nispa’s Lover’s Lunch dishes offered on the menus of participating establishments other than Kurobeko (photo courtesy of Biratori Local Production for Local Consumption Group)
When asked about Kurobeko’s “Nispa’s Lover’s Lunch,” Yamaguchi explains “for several years, the popular Hamburg steak has been the main dish; in summer, it is served with freshly grilled tomatoes and sliced tomatoes; in winter, it’s offered in an original tomato-sauce stew.” The photo at the top of the article is of the 2019 winter version; the tart taste of the tomato sauce complements the hamburger steak, perfectly.
In 2016, members of the participating establishments developed an “instant” pack suitable as a souvenir.
Instant products
Furthermore, from three years ago, the group has held exchanges with the Biratori High School circle, “Tomato Club”. Recipes thought up by club members are offered for limited periods on the menus of some of establishments participating in the group.
The Biratori Local Production for Local Consumption Group, which began from local gourmet cuisine, is involved in important activities that have allowed not only tourists who visit the establishments but also local chefs and young people to rediscover the appeal of locally produced foodstuffs.
Yamaguchi has lived in Biratori for 25 years
Kurobeko 
Shiunkotsu 200-2, Biratori-cho, Hokkaido, Japan
Tel.: 01457-2-4129
Opening hours:
restaurant 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30), 17:00–20:00 (last order 19:30)
shop 11:00–19:00
Closed Monday (following day if Monday is a public holiday)
Website
▼Establishments other than Kurobeko, offering the Nispa’s Lover’s Lunch
Jankenpon Website
Biratori Onsen Yukara Website
Ajidokoro Ikoi Website
Soba Fuji Website
