Yakitori is a dish that spreads its savory aroma and juicy flavor.

When you hear the word "yakitori," you may generally think of grilled chicken, but Higashimatsuyama City, one of the seven major yakitori towns in Japan, has a slightly different kind of yakitori. This time, we will introduce you to this intriguing local gourmet dish, Higashimatsuyama's "yakitori."

What is Higashimatsuyama Yakitori? Its Features

"Yakitori," a specialty of Higashimatsuyama, refers to grilled pork cheeks.
"Kashira meat" is the part from the temple to the cheek, and has a strong flavor and a unique chewy texture, and is said to be the most delicious part of the head meat. In Higashimatsuyama, yakitori is generally served with this kashira meat in the Negima style.

In addition, in the area, this pork cheek is served with a spicy miso sauce, which is often made with a white miso base and contains chili peppers, garlic, chili bean paste, sesame oil, mirin, and other ingredients, with the restaurant adding its own original spices.

When you dip pork cheek in this, the juicy flavor of the meat and the spicy taste of the miso are brought out, making you want to drink more alcohol.

There are about 50 yakitori restaurants around Higashimatsuyama Station, each with their own unique way of cutting and skewering the meat, and making the miso sauce. You'll want to try out all the different restaurants.

The history and origins of Higashimatsuyama Yakitori

By the way, why did pork cheek meat start to be used in Higashimatsuyama yakitori?
It seems that this dish started when a person of Korean origin wondered how to utilize pork cheeks, which were not eaten much in the 1950s.

At the time, pork cheeks were used as an ingredient in processed foods such as ham and sausages, and it seems that cheap, fresh pork cheeks were available in abundance at the nearby meat center. It is said that the origins of Higashimatsuyama's yakitori began when people started grilling and selling this at food stalls.

After that, a person from Korea served yakitori with cheek meat topped with a spicy miso sauce, and its deliciousness gained a reputation, and little by little the number of restaurants serving yakitori began to increase.

The deliciousness and appeal of Higashimatsuyama Yakitori

Higashimatsuyama's yakitori is popular among locals and tourists alike. What else, other than the compatibility of the chicken cheek and miso sauce, has made it so famous?

Recently, in addition to pork cheeks, the variety of meats and cuts they offer has increased, including tongue, liver, heart, and chicken. Also, the wide selection of snacks other than yakitori is another element that allows you to enjoy Higashimatsuyama yakitori to the fullest.

Also, in the local area, yakitori made from chicken cheeks is served instead of an appetizer, and the staff will grill the next skewers while checking how much the customer has eaten. I think the careful attention to detail on the part of the restaurants is also the secret to their popularity.

And it's not just the variety of menu items that has become more varied. Yakitori restaurants have the image of long-established izakayas, but recently there are also casual dining establishments where you can enjoy delicious yakitori along with European cuisine and wine.

Finally, let me tell you a little about the secret behind the deliciousness of yakitori.

Did you know that there are actually various tricks to grilling yakitori skewers? First, the meat and spring onions are attached to the skewers, but in order to grill the meat evenly and plumply, you need to check the balance of the weight, thickness, and size of the meat when skewering. When doing this, it's important not to leave any gaps on the skewer and to strike the meat so that it doesn't rotate.

Next, sprinkle salt on the skewer. The trick to making it taste good is to sprinkle more salt on the top of the skewer from a high position. Also, sprinkling less salt on the bottom of the skewer allows you to enjoy the change in the taste of the yakitori.

And when grilling the yakitori, they cook it slowly over high heat until it is browned. It is said that to become a craftsman, it takes "three years to skewer, a lifetime to grill," but I learned that each step in making delicious yakitori is filled with sophisticated techniques.

Access to Higashimatsuyama City

Now, let me introduce you to how to get to Higashimatsuyama City.

If you are traveling by train from within Tokyo, you can take the Tobu Tojo Line express train from Ikebukuro Station to Higashimatsuyama City in about an hour.

If you are heading by car, it will take about 30 minutes from Nerima IC to Higashimatsuyama IC. Higashimatsuyama City is within 50km of Tokyo, making it surprisingly easy to access, and it is actually a popular commuter town.

Higashimatsuyama is a city that is known for its rice cultivation and the production of a wide variety of vegetables. You can also find delicious local products such as "Honey White" white corn and "Porotan" chestnuts, a specialty of Higashimatsuyama.

If you're going to Higashimatsuyama, why not do some sightseeing as well?

Saitama Children's Zoo and Nature Park is home to over 160 species of animals, including many cute small animals such as koalas, quokkas, and capybaras, and is characterized by the fact that you can get up close and personal with the animals. Adults and children can enjoy the park together, and there are also plenty of experience corners where you can milk cows, ride horses, feed goats, and more. The park also has a nursing room and stroller rentals, making it a safe place for families with small children.

Another recommended place for a walk is Yakyu Inari Shrine near Higashimatsuyama Station. It is also known as the god of prosperity in business and victory, and as the name "Yakyu" suggests, it is visited by many people involved in baseball.

The majestic shrine building is a sight to behold when viewed up close. In addition, the peony garden on the grounds is filled with around 1,300 peonies, azaleas, and wisteria flowers, and from around mid-April it transforms into a gorgeous garden. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by.

Location of Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced yakitori, a local gourmet dish from Higashimatsuyama City.

Higashimatsuyama's yakitori is addictive with its rich pork cheek flavor and spicy miso sauce. Check out the "Yakitori Map" available in front of the station and around the city to easily find the restaurant you want to go to.

Why not consider choosing this restaurant for your meals during your trip?

\ We are looking for Tempo Star affiliates! /