A gem born from being too busy! Hakurakuten, the originator of Imabari's gourmet "roasted pork and egg rice"!

Imabari is proud of its B-class gourmet "Yaki Pork and Egg Rice. The birthplace of this dish, "Shirakuten Imabari Honten" is a popular restaurant that attracts many tourists from inside and outside of the prefecture in search of the taste.

An exquisite menu born from a busy kitchen

Imabari's specialty "Yaki Pork Tamago Meshi" was born from the makanai rice made at a long-established Chinese restaurant (no longer in business) where the previous owner worked. The restaurant had no time to eat, so they made a ready-made meal using roasted pork and its broth, which was the inspiration for the "Yakitate Tamago Meshi".

Later, when the previous generation became independent and opened Hakurakuten, they added their own improvements to the makanai rice of that time, and the present "Yakiniku Pork and Egg Rice" was born.

The desire to eat delicious food even in the midst of a busy schedule was the inspiration for this simple yet delicious dish! This simple yet profound dish was born out of the desire to eat delicious food even in a busy schedule.

Deep flavor created by the rich and sweet secret sauce

The most distinctive feature of Hakurakuten's Yakitori Tamago Meshi is its sauce. The sauce, which has been made by hand since the establishment of the restaurant, is rich and sweet. It is probably the sweetest sauce available at any existing restaurant," says Executive Director Seki. The deep, inimitable flavor created by the restaurant's long history continues to attract many customers.

Another speciality is the way the eggs are cooked. The eggs are cooked over high heat in a wok, resulting in a crispy outside and a soft and tender inside. This exquisite cooking condition, combined with the sauce, makes for a blissful bite. The key is to cook the eggs just right," Seki emphasizes.

The outside of the egg is fragrant and browned, while the inside is thick and semi-cooked. This exquisite balance of sauce, rice, and roasted pork is in perfect harmony, and each bite offers a different texture and flavor. The mildness of the egg and the richness of the sauce are well mixed with the rice, making it easy to eat every last morsel in no time.

A famous restaurant with a long line of customers, even tourists are captivated

As the originator of the famous "Yakiniku Tamago Meshi" (roasted pork and egg rice) and a very popular restaurant, the lines at BAIRAKUTEN are a common sight. Even on weekdays, 60 to 70% of the customers are tourists, and on weekends, 80 to 90% of the customers are tourists. Being the original is an important position," says Seki.

Shirakuten Imabari is now more than just a restaurant. It has been rooted in the community for more than half a century, and it can be said to be a living history that has preserved the taste of Imabari.

However, the popularity of the restaurant also poses a challenge.

There are not many people who want to work in the restaurant industry," says Seki. However, he is not content to simply lament the current state of the industry. He is working on reforms for the future, such as simplifying the menu and creating a more comfortable working environment. If we are to continue to operate the restaurant we have for 54 years, we need to create an environment where everyone can work comfortably," he says. In his words, one can sense Mr. Seki's determination to change with the times while preserving tradition.

A bowl of Hakurakuten Imabari's grilled pork and egg rice is filled with the taste that has been passed down from generation to generation, as well as with thoughts for the future. It would be a shame to visit Imabari and leave without trying it.

Bringing the secret sauce home

To enjoy the taste of Hakurakuten's Yakitori Tamago-meshi at home, the secret sauce is sold in bottles. The secret sauce, which can recreate the taste of BAIRAKUTEN at home, is delicious not only on Yakitori Tamago-meshi, but also on fried rice or over rice with egg. Enjoying the taste of BAIRAKUTEN at home will surely enrich your dining table. When you visit the restaurant, be sure to pick up some of the secret sauce as a souvenir.