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Yakitori but Pork? The appeal and differences between Muroran yakitori and Bibai yakitori are thoroughly explained!

2023.10.12

Muroran yakitori and Bibai yakitori are two of Hokkaido's most famous local delicacies and soul food, Muroran yakitori from Muroran City and Bibai yakitori from Bibai City. They have different characteristics and each has its own delicious taste, and we would like to introduce the charm and differences of each.

Yakitori" but not "Tori-"? The Mystery of Muroran Yakitori

First of all, let us introduce "Muroran Yakitori". Muroran Yakitori" as a local delicacy has "three characteristics".

1: Pork is used instead of chicken

Muroran Yakitori, although called Yakitori, is actually made of pork. The reason for this goes back to the beginning of the Showa period. At that time, there was a growing demand for pigskin as a material for military boots. This may be the reason why pork was more inexpensive than chicken, and there were many stalls that grilled pork on skewers. These skewers, loved by the "iron men" of Muroran, which prospered from its iron manufacturing industry, are thought to be the prototype of "Muroran yakitori.

室蘭やきとり

Image source: "Our Local Cuisine," Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

2: Onions, not leeks, are sandwiched between the onions

In general, yakitori should have onions sitting between the meat. In the case of Muroran yakitori, however, what is there is onion. Onions go well with Hokkaido's climate, are inexpensive, and go well with pork, so this style seems to have taken root naturally.

3: Garnished with a mustard

When you order yakitori at a Muroran yakitori restaurant, you are sure to find mustard on the plate. There are various theories as to why this is the case, but some genuine Muroranians are such devotees of karashi that they say, "You have to mix the sauce and karashi so that they become one before eating it," making Muroran yakitori and karashi inseparable.

室蘭やきとり

Image source: "Our Local Cuisine," Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

I thought it was seasoned with sauce, but it seems that whether it is seasoned with sauce or salt has nothing to do with the conditions for being Muroran yakitori. Incidentally, there is no menu called "Muroran Yakitori," but it is locally called "Butasei" (pork spirit). Each restaurant has its own unique style, such as the secret sauce and the way the meat is prepared, and many Muroran citizens seem to have a favorite restaurant they go to. When you visit Muroran, be sure to compare the different restaurants!

鶏の命を残さずいただく「美唄やきとり」の特徴は<h3 class="ptn_4"> What is "Bibai Yakitori"?</h3> <p> Next up is Bibai Yakitori, another Hokkaido yakitori staple. The Sorachi region, where Bibai City is located, was once Japan's largest coal-producing region, and Bibai Yakitori was a much-loved source of energy for coal miners who risked their lives digging for coal at the mine sites.</p> <p> The most distinctive feature of Bibai Yakitori is the material used for skewering. This one is made with chicken. The whole chicken is used, without any leftovers. In addition to the thigh and chicken skin, the skewer also contains kumquat, gizzard, liver, hatsu (heart), and other parts of the chicken. <p><img id="27013" src="https://domingo.ne.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ca25a89a41aa909c11c4a037636e4bc4.jpg" alt="美唄やきとり"></p> <p class="imgcaption"> Image source: "Our Local Cuisine," Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries</p> <p?There is also an order of ingredients, and they stab the chicken skin, onions, mots, and thighs in this order from the bottom. If you are going to process a chicken, use all of it without wasting its life. The coal miners in Bibi used to eat dozens of these by themselves with gusto.... That sounds powerful!</p> <p> The originator of this style is said to be a restaurant called "Mifune," and since its birth in the Showa period (1926-1989), it has spread to many other restaurants in the city. The end of the meal is a bowl of warm soba noodles and a piece of Bibai yakitori (grilled chicken), which is the way most people like it. By the way, Mifune is still in business today, so why don't you go there and have a bite while imagining what it was like back then?</p> <p><img id="27012" src="https://domingo.ne.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0ca71232e6cb085b48c6f02c92abffb0.jpg" alt="美唄やきとり"></p> <p class="imgcaption"> Image source: "Our Local Cuisine," Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries</p> <h3 class="ptn_4"> Industry used to be supported by "Yakitori"!</h3> <p> How was it? It is interesting to note that the soul food of Muroran City and Bibai City, which were related through coal, was the same "Yakitori" even though the contents were different. Both yakitori were a source of strength for the people of those days, and as an extension of that strength, we may be able to experience a different kind of deliciousness when we think of our lives today. We hope you will try this delicious dish there!</p>

Yakitori but Pork? The appeal and differences between Muroran yakitori and Bibai yakitori are thoroughly explained!

Yakitori" but not "Tori-"? The Mystery of Muroran Yakitori

1: Pork is used instead of chicken

2: Onions, not leeks, are sandwiched between the onions

3: Garnished with a mustard

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