When it comes to the world of barbecue, Japan has its unique approach that sets it apart from the rest. If you’ve ever wondered, “What is Japanese BBQ grill called?” the answer lies in one word: “Yakiniku.” Yakiniku translates to “grilled meat,” and it represents the delightful experience of cooking meat, often bite-sized and marinated, right at your table. Let’s embark on a journey to uncover the secrets of Yakiniku and the exceptional Japanese BBQ grill culture.

Japanese Barbecue – Popular Japanese Grilling Style

Japanese barbecue has evolved and refined the art of cooking. Starting with the traditional way of cooking meat and fish over an open fire, it has developed into a technique mastered by few chefs in the world. It’s the way Japanese culture has integrated the outdoors, food, nightlife, artistry, and music into one seamless outdoor social experience.

The Japanese often don’t have a dining table and usually eat while sitting on the floor. Cooking is an art while visiting Japan and you would be surprised at the many gourmet dishes you can try. One of these is yakiniku or Japanese barbecue, which has its origins in Korea.

If you’re keen on exploring the real taste of Japanese food, then you simply must try its most popular grilling style, yakiniku. The word “yaki” means grilled, while “niku” refers to meatIt’s similar to Korean barbecue (also known as bulgogi) and Chinese sha cha.

Yakiniku is the Japanese custom of grilling thin slices of meat and vegetables over charcoal or a gas flame. It’s said to have begun as a way for families to prepare simple meals at home using what was readily available.

Yakiniki combines elements of grilling with a family-friendly atmosphere and exciting entertainment to create one of the premier dining experiences in Japan. Let’s take a look at what makes yakiniku so unique…

The Japanese BBQ Grill

A barbecue grill is a great tool, allowing you to cook food without having to use your stove. People in Japan love fresh food. Be it vegetables, fruits or meat, they crave the smell and flavor of fresh ingredients. Recently, different types of BBQ grills have become available to the consumer that allow you to experience a similar culinary delight that you would find in a Japanese restaurant.

Here are the best smokeless indoor grills.

There are many types of Japanese BBQ grills, and I’m sure you’ve noticed some of them while shopping for a grill for yourself. Have you ever wondered what those are? As a BBQ grilling lover, I want to introduce all the variants of the traditional Japanese Grill to you.

Traditional charcoal grills

The traditional charcoal grill is still the most popular choice for many backyard cooks. Charcoal grills are relatively inexpensive to buy and easy to use, but they do require more time than other types of grills, including propane and natural gas grills.

Charcoal grills come in several different shapes and sizes and can be either stationary or portable. The most common types of charcoal cookers are kettle-style grills, which resemble a small metal pot with a lid; offset smokers, which have two cooking areas separated by an adjustable metal plate; vertical smokers, which cook food over indirect heat; and bullet smokers, which use a cylindrical drum filled with charcoal briquettes and wood chunks.

The main advantage of using charcoal is that it burns hotter than other fuels such as propane or liquid fuel because there isn’t as much oxygen available to burn the fuel completely. Because it burns hotter than other fuels, you can get searing heat on your food without having to crank up your grill’s temperature as high as you might need to do if you were using propane or liquid fuel.

Modern electric grills

Modern electric grills are now available in a wide range of sizes and styles. The most popular of these are the traditional charcoal grills, but many people prefer the convenience and versatility of an electric grill. There are two basic types of electric grill: those that use a propane tank, and those that use electricity. They both have advantages and disadvantages, which we’ll discuss below.

Propane Grills

Propane grills are more common than electric grills because they’re easier to use and store. Propane tanks are also more convenient than batteries because they don’t need charging — they’re ready-to-use right out of the box! However, propane is more expensive than electricity, so propane grills typically cost more than electric ones do.

Electric Grills

Electric grills are cheaper to operate than propane ones — it takes less time and less fuel to cook with electric heaters compared to propane heaters. They also tend to be smaller and lighter in weight (depending on what type of model you choose).

Name of the Japanese BBQ Grill

The term “shichirin” for charcoal grill

The name of the Japanese BBQ grill is “shichirin”. It is a type of charcoal grill that has been used in Japan for centuries. The word “shichirin” means “five-beam”, which refers to its shape. Each side of the grill has five support bars, which make it easy to use.

It’s a circular grill with a diameter of about 90 cm and stands on four legs (the fifth one is missing). The top part consists of two large stones that are heated by charcoal or gas, and the bottom part consists of two smaller stones that are heated by charcoal or gas. The food is placed on a tray set on top of these stones and then covered with another tray placed directly over them to keep warm as it cooks.

The term “teppanyaki” for iron plate grills

The term “teppanyaki” for iron plate grills, is a combination of the words “tepa” (iron) and “yaki” (grill). The teppanyaki grilling style is also known as takohachi or tako-wari.

Teppan-Yaki is a form of Japanese cooking where foods are cooked directly over an iron griddle. The iron plate, called a teppan in Japanese, uses direct heat to cook food quickly on both sides. A variety of dishes can be cooked on the teppan including seafood and meat, however, teppan-yaki is not limited to just meat.

The word “teppan” (鉄砲) means “iron cannon”. Because the teppan is heated with firewood coals underneath from below, this method of cooking gives food a distinct flavor and texture when compared to other types of cooking methods such as grilling or roasting over an open flame or oven.

Conclusion

The Japanese BBQ grill is a very important part of yakiniku. It is used to cook the meat and vegetables, which are then served on a platter with rice and other side dishes. The main reason why it is so important is because it is used to cook all the food in one go. This means that there will be no need for multiple cooking stages, which can cause the meat to dry out.

The ingredients used in this type of cooking are also very simple and easy to find around your house or at any supermarket or department store. This means that you won’t have to spend hours looking for ingredients or searching through different stores just so that you can make a delicious meal for your family or friends!