Aomori Prefecture's BBQ is not your average thing! Is it true that the main dishes are sagari and innards?

Aomori Prefecture is known for its abundance of fresh seafood and vegetables, but did you know that it also has a unique yakiniku (grilled meat) culture? This article introduces the unique BBQ characteristics found in Aomori Prefecture, particularly the Tsugaru region. Why not experience Aomori's unique yakiniku culture and create some summer memories?

As spring approaches, Aomorians get excited about BBQ

BBQs are held everywhere in Aomori Prefecture from spring to autumn. BBQs are held anytime and anywhere, such as on sports days, eve festivals, Golden Week, and the Obon holidays, and on holidays you can often smell the aroma of meat wafting from somewhere. Why do people in Aomori BBQ so much? Upon investigation, it turns out that Aomori's BBQ culture began with apple farmers

In the Tsugaru region, where there are many apple farmers, it is said that when work is finished, colleagues gather together to grill meat and thank each other for their hard work. As a remnant of this tradition, people still hold BBQs when they get together

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Is BBQ in Aomori weird?

The BBQ that the people of Aomori, especially Tsugaru, love is a little different from the typical BBQ. From here on, I will introduce some of the strange things about Aomori BBQ

They call it "nigu" instead of BBQ

Up until now, I've been calling it BBQ, but actually, people in Tsugaru call it"nigu." Of course, this is just a corrupted form of the word "niku" (meat), but it's a pretty bold way of saying it, isn't it? Every household in Aomori Prefecture has a BBQ grill, and on a nice day, all you have to do"I want to have some nigu,"and you're ready to have a BBQ.

And"nigu"what's important with

Mainly pork innards and sagari

Tsugaru BBQs"nigu,"the meat grilled is basically limitedpork offalanddiaphragm. Aomori Prefecture is originally a prefecture that loves pork, ranking second in the nation for pork consumption. Perhaps because of this, the offal grilled at "nigu" is always pork offal, not beef. In fact, I have never participated in a "nigu" where beef offal is grilled. What is even stranger is that people in Tsugaru call pork offal "motsu." The culture of eating offal is said to be a culture of Kansai and further south, so it is unknown why the culture of grilling pork offal has taken root in Aomori Prefecture, which is so far away.

Besides pork offal, another dish that appears is sagari, which apparently divides people into those who prefer beef and those who prefer pork.The Hirakawa Sagari Research Association,, advocates for beef offal, but many locals insist that sagari is pork.

It's true that in the "Nigu" events I've participated in so far, there have been times when I've used beef sagari, and times when I've used pork sagari. With that in mind, the type of sagari may be a matter of preference

It can also be done in apple orchards or warehouses

The locations where BBQs are held in Tsugaru are a little unusual. Apparently, it's common for them to be held in apple orchards, sheds at home, or garages. While holding BBQs in garages or gardens is common nationwide, it may be unusual to see them held in apple orchards or warehouses. It's true that apple farmers usually have sheds (warehouses) where they store their machinery and handle apple shipping, so if they hold BBQs in those sheds, they won't be affected by the weather

Apparently people who really love "nigu" will do it in their own shed (warehouse) even in the middle of winter, so in a way it makes sense... Also, it's interesting that apple boxes are used as tables and chairs, which is very Aomori-like

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Introducing recommended butcher shops

In Aomori Prefecture, BBQ meat is sourced from butcher shops rather than supermarkets. Everyone has their favorite butcher shop, and on sunny days off, there can be long lines at the butcher shops

When someone says, "I'm going to have nigu today!", you have to immediately order some meat from your favorite butcher. Here we will introduce some popular butcher shops in the Tsugaru region, where the "nigu" culture is deeply rooted

Mizuki Butcher Shop

In Hirakawa City, which promotes a "nigu" (meat) culture,Mizuki Meat Shopis a popular choice. Their most popular product is a mixed batch of seasoned beef skirt steak and pork offal. Long lines form on weekends, so it's best to call ahead and reserve your order before going to pick it up.

Information

• Name: Mizuki Butcher Co., Ltd
• Address: 79-1 Minamida, Machii, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0172-44-2566
• URL:Mizuki Butcher Shop HP
• Business hours: 7:00-19:00 (closes at 17:00 on 1/1, 1/2, 8/13, 8/14, 12/31)
• Closed: Open all year round

Google Map

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Butakin Meat (Kasai Butcher Shop)

Another popular butcher shop, rivaling Mizuki Meat Shop,Niku no Tonkin,. Founded in 1926 (Showa 1), this long-established butcher shop attracts customers from outside the city just for its delicious meat. Besides the high quality of the meat, the slightly sweet seasoning is truly addictive!

Information

• Name: Meat Porkkin
• Address: 11-17 Kitayanagida, Honmachi, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0172-44-2035
• URL:Niku no Tonkin HP
• Business hours: 8:00-18:00
• Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

Google Map

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Kawamura Butcher Shop

which operates three stores in Hirosaki City,Kawamura Meat Shopis also famous for its delicious offal and skirt steak. Recently, they opened a BBQ & Direct-from-the-Farm Market Ishikawa store in Ishikawa, Hirosaki City, which handles not only their prized meats but also seafood and locally sourced vegetables! You can find everything you need for a BBQ here, so be sure to check it out.

Information

• Name: Kawamura Butcher Shop
• Address: 38 Oakatamachi, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0172-32-3806
• URL:Kawamura Meat Shop Co., Ltd. Website
• Business hours: Varies by store
• Closed days: Varies by store

Google Map

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summary

What did you think? You must have been surprised by the unique BBQ culture of Aomori Prefecture, which is rich in seafood and mountain produce. Pork innards and hanging tenderloin may have a unique flavor, but they are beloved ingredients for the people of Tsugaru. With the warm season coming up, why not try "nigu" with friends?