Imabari Yakibuta Tamagomeshi: Where to Eat (Ehime)

Imabari yakibuta tamagomeshi is a local favorite beloved in Imabari, the gateway to the Shimanami Kaido. Roast pork glazed in a sweet and savory sauce is placed over rice, and a soft fried egg is layered on top. Once a staff meal at a Chinese restaurant, it is now known nationwide as a signature dish of the city.

Origin and History

As for its birth, it is said that the prototype was a staff meal eaten by employees at a Chinese restaurant in Imabari. The place that spread it as a menu item was Hakurakuten in the Tokiwa district of Imabari. Its former owner is said to have begun serving it as a signature dish when he went independent and opened the shop, and it has since been loved along with a secret sauce kept topped up over the years. Having won the West Japan B-1 Grand Prix in 2017, it draws nationwide popularity as an Imabari local dish.

Highlights

The greatest pleasure is the moment you break the runny egg and eat it together with the rich roast pork, sauce, and white rice. Simple yet moreish, it is loved by people of all ages. The sweetness of the sauce and the thickness of the pork differ slightly from shop to shop, so comparing them is enjoyable too.

Enjoying the Seasons

It is a homey flavor to enjoy any time of year, but eaten after cycling or driving the Shimanami Kaido, its volume and savoriness sink into a tired body.

Practical Travel Notes

It is served widely at Chinese restaurants and eateries across the city, including the Chinese restaurant in the Tokiwa district of Imabari said to be its birthplace. Some shops sell take home sauce, so recreating it at home has become another way to enjoy it. Visiting alongside Imabari Castle or facilities related to Imabari towels is also recommended. Popular shops can get crowded at lunchtime, so it is reassuring to visit with time to spare.

A Quick Tip

Break the egg whenever you like. Mixing everything well before eating unites the sauce and rice for a richer taste.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Main area where it is served: Within Imabari City. The official website of the Imabari Regional Tourism Association lists five restaurants as places serving it: Hakurakuten Imabari Main Store, the Chinese restaurant Hakuryu, Daikokuya Hanten, Rairaiken and Kurumaya Shokudo.
• The restaurant regarded as its birthplace: Hakurakuten Imabari Main Store (4-1-19 Tokiwa-cho, Imabari City / tel. 0898-23-7292) / lunch 11:00-14:30 last order (closing at 14:45), dinner 17:00-21:00 last order (closing at 21:15). Closed on Tuesdays and over the New Year holidays. Parking for 12 cars in front of the restaurant.
• Points to note: Set menus at the Hakurakuten Imabari Main Store end at 14:00 at lunchtime and at 20:30 in the evening.
• Background: On December 24, 2006, a group of local volunteers formed the Committee for the Worldwide Spread of Yakibuta Tamago Meshi, which has led to today's Imabari Yakibuta Tamago Meshi Worldwide Promotion Committee.

* Opening hours and prices at individual restaurants vary from shop to shop.

(Sources: Hakurakuten Imabari Main Store official website; Imabari Regional Tourism Association official page on Imabari Yakibuta Tamago Meshi; Imabari Yakibuta Tamago Meshi Worldwide Promotion Committee official website)

Information Sources

This article is compiled from tourist information for Imabari City and Ehime Prefecture together with information published by the individual establishments. Prices and menus differ from shop to shop and are subject to change, so please check the official information of each establishment for details.

Sightseeing Checklist

• Budget guide: Reasonably priced at around 1,000 yen a bowl
• Where to eat it: Chinese restaurants and diners in Imabari City (look for the shops that serve it)
• Recommended time of day: Both lunch and dinner. It is a filling dish, so come hungry
• Avoiding the crowds: Popular restaurants get busy at lunchtime, so shift your timing
• Enjoy it together with: The Imabari towel production area, the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge and the Shimanami Kaido