Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

A unique regional specialty from Muroran featuring succulent pork and onions. Coated in a sweet-savory sauce, it has been a local favorite for more than 80 years.

In Muroran, a city on the southern coast of Hokkaido, "yakitori" means something quite different from the chicken skewers found elsewhere in Japan. Despite its name, the main ingredient is pork shoulder. This distinctive food culture dates back to the 1930s, when Muroran was flourishing as a major steel-industry city. Food stalls began serving pork and offal because they were more affordable and readily available than chicken, providing a hearty source of energy for workers.

Today, Muroran yakitori remains a beloved local tradition. Its defining feature is the combination of pork and onions rather than the leeks commonly used in other styles of yakitori. The skewers sizzle over charcoal grills before being coated in a rich sweet-savory tare sauce. Each restaurant has its own closely guarded recipe, adding to the appeal of trying different establishments.

The finishing touch is a dab of karashi mustard served on the side. Its sharp flavor cuts through the richness of the sauce, perfectly complementing the juicy pork and sweet onions. For visitors to Muroran, this iconic local dish offers a delicious introduction to the city's history and culinary heritage.