Aichi/Nagoya Gourmet Spot “Misokatsu Yabaton” Celebrates 9th Anniversary of Kansai Expansion with Tasting Event Report!

Hello! I’m Rina, a writer for Kodawari Times. Among Nagoya’s local cuisine, known as “Nagoya-meshi,” the popular miso katsu from “Yabaton” is attracting attention not only in Japan but also from foreign tourists!

This time, to commemorate the 9th anniversary of Yabaton’s opening in Kansai, a brand presentation and tasting event was held, and Kodawari Times attended. We’ll share Yabaton’s history, their thoughts on opening in Osaka, and a tasting report of their popular menu items.

 

What is Misokatsu Yabaton?

Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, a major city located almost in the center of Japan. Its local gourmet and regional cuisine, known as “Nagoya-meshi,” boasts a rich variety, including Hitsumabushi, Miso-nikomi udon Noodles, Tebasaki chicken wings, and Ogura toast.

Among Nagoya-meshi, the dish enjoying immense popularity both domestically and internationally is “Misokatsu.” At its birthplace, Yabaton’s Yabacho Main Store, business is so booming that over 1,000 servings of miso katsu are sold in a single day! It attracts not only Japanese tourists but also many inbound visitors, making it a truly exceptional gourmet experience that foreigners specifically seek out.

Misokatsu is essentially a gourmet dish where tonkatsu, a Japanese pork cutlet, is served with a miso sauce made from Hatcho miso, a miso paste with a unique flavor. Beyond misokatsu, Hatcho miso is used in various dishes around Nagoya and is a seasoning enjoyed daily.

The very restaurant that originated this soul food, “Misokatsu,” is Yabaton, headquartered in Yabacho. It all started in 1947, shortly after the war, at a street stall in Nagoya. A customer dipped the Kushikatsu (skewered fried pork cutlet) they were eating into a pot of Dotenabe (a Nagoya dish simmering beef tendon and offal in sweet and savory Hatcho miso)!

“This is delicious!” exclaimed founder Yoshio Suzuki when he created “Yabaton Misokatsu.” Starting from a single store, it has now expanded to 30 locations across Japan and one overseas location (as of August 2025), beloved as “Nagoya’s Famous Miso katsu, Yabaton.”

 

Next year marks the 10th anniversary of Yabaton’s Kansai locations!

Did you know that while “Misokatsu Yabaton” is often thought of as a Nagoya-meshi only available in Nagoya City, you can actually enjoy it in places like Osaka and Tokyo too?

They opened their first Osaka location in 2016, “Nagoya’s famous Misokatsu Yabaton Osaka Shochiku-za Theater,” and now have four stores in Osaka. Meanwhile, there are also four stores in Tokyo. It’s surprising that you can savor the taste of this Nagoya specialty in cities representing both the east and west of Japan!

▲Nagoya’s famous Misokatsu Yabaton Osaka Shochiku-za Theater

On August 19, 2025, a brand presentation and tasting event commemorating the 9th anniversary of Yabaton’s entry into the Kansai region was held at Osaka Shochikuza.
Mr. Yoshiyuki Okumura, President and CEO of Yabaton, who took the stage at the presentation, revealed that all Yabaton locations outside Nagoya were established based on a “love call policy”—meaning they were all places that had offered to host a store. The venue, Osaka Shochikuza, has deep ties with Osaka comedians, which is why it was chosen as the first Kansai location.

From April 13 to May 12, 2025, Yabaton opened a pop-up at the ORA Gaisyoku Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Their new menu item, the “Misokatsu Rice Burger,” was a huge hit. They also placed a giant transit ad in Umeda that became a hot topic on social media. A Yabaton boom is spreading across Osaka and the Kansai region.

President Okumura confidently stated that once people in Osaka try it, they’ll say “It’s delicious!” and delivered a message in Kansai dialect: “Yabaton is here in Osaka too, you know!”

 

What are the popular menu items?

After the presentation, we were treated to a tasting of the popular menu items!

“Waraji Tonkatsu” with Two Sauces: Miso Sauce and Tonkatsu Sauce

Made with carefully selected fresh pork loin from southern Kyushu, this tonkatsu is incredibly tender. Served as a single, generously sized cut weighing 200g and measuring 1.5cm thick—so large it looks like two pieces—it arrives on your plate with a satisfying thud.
Enjoy two flavors: Yabaton’s signature miso sauce and our original sauce, which has a loyal following of fans.

For connoisseurs, the best way to eat it is to start with the third piece from the right on the top tier, as it offers the perfect balance of meat and fat. Following the recommended method, I’ll start with the third miso katsu!

The rich miso sauce clings to the juicy pork cutlet, filling your mouth with its delicious flavor! So delicious it makes me happy~♡ It makes you keep eating the cabbage and rice.

Next up, the sauce-topped pork cutlet. Enjoy the crispy texture of the freshly fried pork cutlet, and the spicy sauce is also delicious!

Both flavors really highlight the fresh pork’s deliciousness and are truly tasty. Even eating a lot doesn’t cause heartburn, and it’s not greasy, which is a great point.

Customizable flavors! Popular cheeses also recommended

Yabaton’s appeal lies in its two sauce flavors—miso and sauce—plus the ability to customize your taste even further. Each table comes equipped with complimentary toppings like ground sesame, mustard, and chili powder.

For an extra charge, you can also choose from a wide variety of specialty toppings like green onions, mayonnaise, Taiwanese miso, and cheese.

First, the classic toppings for tonkatsu—ground sesame and mustard—are undeniably delicious and pair perfectly with both miso sauce and regular sauce.

This time, we’ve also prepared cheese as a recommended topping. A forbidden sauce blending four cheeses: Cheddar, Cream, Gouda, and Camembert.

Try dipping your miso katsu in it—you’ll be amazed! The sweet-savory miso sauce pairs perfectly with the rich cheese flavor, transforming it into a whole new kind of miso katsu. I found myself wanting to enjoy it with wine or beer instead of rice!
Everyone, please give it a try and enjoy all the different flavor variations.

 

Popular on SNS! Boo-chan goods too!

Furthermore, Boo-chan, the PR Manager of Yabaton, also made an appearance at this presentation event. Boo-chan is Yabaton’s beloved mascot character, standing 190 cm tall, weighing 0.2 tons, and wearing a red mawashi. He aspires to become the yokozuna (the highest rank in sumo wrestling) of the tonkatsu world. He energized the venue with his lively presence at the presentation event too!

Boo-chan is a huge hit with over 40,000 total followers across social media! Videos of him racing around or trying out dances regularly become hot topics. His earnest efforts are truly heartwarming. Be sure to follow Boo-chan at Yabaton!
▼Yabaton’s Instagram is here
https://www.instagram.com/yabaton_official/

Furthermore, Boo-chan merchandise is available for purchase at stores and online.
The Osaka Shochikuza store also stocks a variety of goods like plushies, mugs, and T-shirts. Why not buy some Boo-chan merchandise as a souvenir to commemorate your visit to Yabaton?

 

Let’s go eat Yabaton in Osaka!

Nagoya’s famous Misokatsu Yabaton is also available in Osaka! Why not grab some miso katsu at Yabaton while sightseeing in Osaka? While the original Nagoya location often has long lines and wait times, you can skip the queue and enjoy miso katsu at Yabaton in Osaka.
Experience the collaboration of tonkatsu—a Japanese dish beloved by foreigners—and Nagoya’s miso culture at Yabaton’s miso katsu. Give it a try!

Yabaton Osaka Store Locations

・Osaka Shochikuza Theater
Address: Osaka Shochikuza Theater Building B1F, 1-9-19 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Business Hours: Weekday Lunch 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Last Order 2:30 PM)
Weekday Dinner 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:30 PM)
Weekends: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:30 PM) Holidays: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:30 PM)
Closed: Follows the schedule of Osaka Shochikuza Theater

・Osaka Hankyu Sanbangai
Address: Hankyu Sanbangai North Building Food Court Area(B2F), 1-1-3 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM (Last Order 10:00 PM)
Closed: Follows the schedule of Hankyu Sanbangai

・Osaka Abeno Harukas
Address: 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store Wing Building, B2F
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Last Order 7:30 PM)
Closed: Follows the schedule of Osaka Abeno Harukas

・Osaka Daimaru Shinsaibashi
Address: 1-7-1 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture, Daimaru Shinsaibashi Main Building 10F
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Last Order 9:00 PM)
Closed: Follows the schedule of Osaka Daimaru Shinsaibashi

Yabaton Official Website: https://english.yabaton.com/