"Yokkaichi Tonteki" is a hearty, stamina-boosting dish. It is loved by locals because it is easier to eat in large quantities than beef steak.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Yokkaichi Tonteki.

Characteristics of Yokkaichi Tonteki

Tonteki, a specialty dish of Yokkaichi, is a pork steak seasoned with a strong sauce. The garlicky and sweet sauce goes well with rice and is sure to whet your appetite. It is served with plenty of shredded cabbage as a side dish. The cabbage, which has been left to sit and soaked in the sauce after being heated, is also delicious and goes perfectly with the dish.

The name comes directly from pork steak (teki). Tonteki is made by cutting a thick piece of meat, and is also called "grove-yaki" because of its appearance.

Tonteki is a dish made by grilling thickly sliced pork loin with garlic and lard and then pouring a thick sauce over it. However, some restaurants serve it cut into strips or sticks to make it easier to eat.

Pork saute is a dish similar to tonteki, but the seasoning is different. A typical pork saute is made by seasoning pork with salt and pepper, frying it in a frying pan, and topping it with a Western-style sauce such as demi-glace sauce or mustard sauce.

On the other hand, tonteki is a dish that is covered in Japanese-style sauce made with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic, etc. Yokkaichi tonteki also has a definition, and only those that meet the conditions are approved.

[Definition of Yokkaichi Tonteki]

It is made of thickly sliced sauteed pork, covered in a dark, rich sauce, garnished with garlic, and usually accompanied by shredded cabbage.

How to make Yokkaichi Tonteki

We will introduce you to an easy way to make Yokkaichi Tonteki at home.

First, prepare shredded cabbage. Next, cut the pork into bite-sized pieces. Cutting the pork at right angles to the grain of the meat will make it softer. Deep-fry the garlic if possible. If you are using it raw without frying, cut it in half.

Heat salad oil in a frying pan, add the pork, cover and fry over high heat. Once the pork is browned, flip it over, cover again and fry over high heat for about 1 minute. The key is to cook over high heat for a short time. This will brown the pork and seal in the juices.

Once both sides are browned, add the garlic and sauce. It's easy to use store-bought sauce. After removing the pork and garlic, simmer the sauce for about 15 seconds. By simmering the sauce, the flavor of the meat is concentrated and it becomes rich. All that's left to do is to place the shredded cabbage, pork, and garlic on a plate and pour the sauce over it to finish.

It's a dish that's easy to make at home, but the authentic Yokkaichi Tonteki is delicious.

The history of Yokkaichi Tonteki

Tonteki is said to have originated in a Chinese restaurant called "Rairaiken" located in Nishishinchi, Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. After the war, Norio Shimoda, the owner of Rairaiken, came up with the idea of a steak made by sauteing thick slices of pork with garlic and sauce, and started serving it on the menu at his restaurant.

Yokkaichi was a city with many factory workers. Apparently, the dish was created to use pork and garlic, which are good for stamina and fatigue recovery, for people doing physical labor. Cheap, filling, and richly flavored, tonteki became popular and became the restaurant's signature dish.

After that, the number of restaurants serving tonteki increased, and in 2008, the Yokkaichi Tonteki Association was established. In 2010, it became the first restaurant in Mie Prefecture to participate in the B-1 Grand Prix. In 2013, it won 10th place in the B-1 Grand Prix held in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture. In 2023, it was also recognized in the "Future 100 Year Food Category."

Mie Tourism Information

Mie Prefecture is surrounded by nature, including the sea and mountains, and has many tourist attractions. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots.

Ise Shrine

Ise Jingu, affectionately referred to as "Oise-san" or "Daijingu-san," is officially called "Jingu." Jingu consists of 125 shrines and shrines, centered around the Inner Shrine, where Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestral deity of the Imperial family and worshipped as the ultimate deity of the Japanese people, is enshrined, and the Outer Shrine, where Toyouke-no-Omikami, the guardian deity of food, clothing, and shelter, is enshrined.

Okage Yokocho

"Okage Yokocho" is a 10-minute walk from Ise Jingu Shrine. "Okage Yokocho" was born from the feeling of gratitude that everything in life is "thanks to the gods". Okage Yokocho has over 50 shops and is not enclosed by walls, so you can wander freely. It is a popular tourist spot where you can also try Mie's local B-class gourmet food such as Ise udon and Akafuku.

Nabana no Sato

Nabana no Sato is one of Japan's largest flower theme parks, where beautiful flowers bloom in every season. Illuminations are held in the winter. The gorgeous world of light created by the flowers and illuminations is fantastic. Many people visit during the winter when the illuminations are held.

How to get to Mie

There are various ways to get to Mie. Here are some recommended ways to get there. Travel time may vary depending on the season and weather.

Mie does not have an airport, so you will have to go via Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, etc.

If you are heading to Mie from Chubu Centrair International Airport or Prefectural Nagoya Airport, you can reach Matsusaka Station in about two hours by train.

If you take the Shinkansen, it takes about an hour from Nagoya Station to Matsusaka Station, about an hour and 40 minutes from Osaka Namba Station to Matsusaka Station, and about three hours from Tokyo Station to Matsusaka Station.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Mie. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture

summary

"Tonteki" is a hearty, stamina-boosting dish that is a Yokkaichi specialty. Tonteki started out in Chinese restaurants, but now it is sold everywhere, including ramen shops, restaurants, and izakayas. Cooking methods and seasonings vary depending on the restaurant, so you can enjoy a variety of "tonteki."

If you visit Mie Prefecture, be sure to try "Yokkaichi Tonteki."

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