Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

A local specialty from Bibai with roots in its coal-mining heritage. Each unique skewer combines various chicken parts with local onions, seasoned simply with salt and pepper.

Originating around 1955, Bibai Yakitori is a signature example of Tantetsuko Meshi (Coal, Iron, and Port Cuisine), a culinary tradition rooted in the mining heritage that supported Japan's modernization. During Bibai's peak as a coal-mining town, this affordable and nutritious dish became a favorite among local workers. Today, specialty restaurants throughout the city continue to serve this charcoal-grilled favorite.

The defining feature is a single skewer threaded with a variety of chicken parts, including liver, heart, gizzard, kinkan (immature eggs), thigh meat, and skin. Born from the wisdom of using the entire chicken without waste, each skewer offers a rich combination of textures and savory flavors. Unlike typical yakitori made with long green onions, Bibai Yakitori uses locally grown onions, whose sweetness intensifies when grilled, perfectly complementing the chicken.

Locals often order these skewers in sets of ten, and another local way to enjoy them is to add a skewer to a bowl of hot kake-soba noodles. Visit Bibai to enjoy this flavorful local dish packed with history and culinary tradition.