【Yabaton Yabacho Main Store】The go-to place for Nagoya’s famous Miso Katsu

The beginning of Yabaton

The story goes back to the mid 1900s, a time when there was a scarcity of goods. At a food stall, a customer dipped kushikatsu (skewered pork cutlet) into doteni broth and was surprised by its delicious taste. The first owner of Yabaton happened to be present. Determined to turn this into a product, he went through trial and error until he finally perfected the secret miso sauce. Soon after its establishment, the restaurant became popular among locals, and miso katsu gained widespread acceptance.

However, back then, it was far from being a popular dish, and it was not easily accessible to ordinary people. Many elderly customers say that “working hard during the post-war reconstruction period and eating miso katsu was the ultimate luxury.” 

Yabaton has continued to be loved as a soul food of Nagoya residents, and today, it offers a diverse menu, including miso katsu don, teppan tonkatsu, waraji tonkatsu, kushikatsu, and curry rice. Please enjoy the taste of Nagoya, built upon the history accumulated since its establishment in Showa 22.

Yabaton’s unique taste can only be enjoyed at Yabaton

The origin of miso katsu can be traced back to an imaginative creation based on the dining experience of the first owner of Yabaton. Since then, its popularity has spread tremendously, and it is now quite rare to find a tonkatsu restaurant in the Tokai region, including Aichi, Gifu, and Mie, that doesn’t serve miso katsu. However, not all miso katsu dishes are like Yabaton’s, and it doesn’t simply mean putting miso sauce on a cutlet to complete the dish.

Both tonkatsu and miso are heavy ingredients. Merely combining them would likely result in an overly rich and cloying taste. Creating Yabaton’s uniquely delicious miso katsu is all about balance, and the key lies in using carefully selected ingredients, the way the tonkatsu is fried, and the decisive miso sauce. They use pork from southern Kyushu and strictly select even the wheat and breadcrumbs. The batter is fried crispy to avoid being heavy, and the sweet sauce that brings out the umami of the pork is, of course, a closely guarded secret.

And the secret ingredient that must not be forgotten is the “spirit of hospitality” that brings smiles to customers’ faces. Yabaton’s miso katsu is lighter in taste than the miso katsu that locals regularly eat, making it easy for tourists who are not used to red miso to enjoy as well — another reason for its popularity.

When you’re here, you can’t miss trying the Waraji Tonkatsu!

If you’re unsure about what to order, how about trying the sizzling Premium Rib Teppan Tonkatsu or the large and satisfying Waraji Tonkatsu? 

The Premium Rib Teppan Tonkatsu is an innovative dish, where freshly fried loin tonkatsu is placed on top of a bed of cabbage on a hot iron plate and then generously topped with the secret miso sauce. Sometimes the staff will even perform the act of pouring the miso sauce right in front of you. As the sauce covers the dish, the aroma of grilled cabbage and miso will stimulate your appetite. The thinly shredded cabbage on the iron plate is steamed to make it easier to eat, which is a nice touch.

Waraji Tonkatsu is named after the straw-made footwear waraji due to its similar size. It’s almost twice the size of the regular loin tonkatsu served at the restaurant, making it a surprisingly large and impressive dish. You can choose not only miso sauce but also other sauces, and if you opt for half and half, you can enjoy two different flavors. Despite its rich taste, the tonkatsu is surprisingly easy to finish. You can also change up the taste by adding condiments, like ground sesame seeds or mustard. From the second bite onwards, you’ll continue to discover delicious flavors until the very end — a unique experience only available at Yabaton.

Numerous Bu-chan Yabaton Original Characters Are Available

Located near the elevator on the first floor is a sales area offering a variety of products, from Central Japan-exclusive Yabaton miso katsu-flavored ototto snacks to miso sauce that allows you to easily enjoy the taste of Yabaton at home. These items make for great Nagoya souvenirs and are perfect for those who don’t have time to wait in line! You can always take them home and enjoy them later.

The large golden character painted on the exterior wall, known as a photo spot for tourists, is Bu-chan. This mascot, a sumo-wrestling pig wearing a yokozuna belt, is easily recognizable and leaves a lasting impression, allowing people to instantly associate it with Yabaton. There’s a wide range of Bu-chan merchandise, including hand towels, clear files, and eco-bags perfect for organizing your belongings. These items are popular as convenient souvenirs.

Additionally, there are 12 different designs of mugs and seasonally colored T-shirts that make for interesting finds. Be sure to stop by after your meal. By the way, the sacred tree of Ise Grand Shrine is located next to the automatic door, which may give you a sense of gratitude. Maybe expressing your gratitude after a fulfilling meal will bring you good fortune!