Yamato Pork: Nara Pride of Brand Pork

Yamato Pork is a brand pork raised within Nara Prefecture, known for its fine-grained meat and mellow, sweet fat. With little gaminess and an easy taste, it can be enjoyed in a wide range of dishes such as breaded cutlets, shabu-shabu, and hot pots. It is a heavyweight of Nara cuisine that you can savor at local restaurants and butcher shops.

Highlights

The appeal of Yamato Pork lies in the balance between tender lean meat and fine, non-cloying fat. It resists drying out even when cooked and keeps a juicy texture. Served at cutlet shops, Western-style restaurants, and grilled-meat eateries around Nara city, each place adds its own touch in cooking method and seasoning. A simple salt grill that draws on the quality of the meat, or a hearty breaded cutlet, lets you clearly feel its merits.

Enjoying the Seasons

In summer, a light cold shabu-shabu or saute makes it easy to eat even in the heat. In autumn and winter, a hot pot or shabu-shabu lets the sweet fat melt into the broth and warm the body. For lunch between sightseeing, a freshly fried cutlet set is a deeply satisfying plate.

Access and Basic Information

You can taste it at restaurants and butcher shops around Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station. It is reassuring to look up serving shops in advance. Some stores sell it as fresh meat, making it suitable for souvenirs or cooking at home.

A Quick Tip

To fully enjoy the sweetness of the fat, simple cooking such as shabu-shabu or a salt grill is recommended. For a breaded cutlet, eat it soon after frying to enjoy the crisp coating and juicy meat at the same time.