Locals-only grilled meat in Tokushima, Japan — sweet and tender beef tongue that’s juicy and not greasy

What’s the first food you want to eat in Japan? Personally, I’m a huge fan of Japanese grilled meat. Although it’s a bit pricier than in Taiwan, the quality of the meat is really excellent, and the grill is super powerful — you can enjoy delicious grilled meat in just a few minutes. Of course, I couldn’t miss out on Up when I was in Tokushima this evening.

It’s just a 10-minute walk from Hotel Sunroute, and if no one showed me the way, I probably wouldn’t have found it. This is truly a place where locals go. For grilled meat in Japan, the prices here are very reasonable.

Let’s take a look at the pricing first. Most of the portions are around 2–3 servings, and you can also order different cuts. However, you’ll need to understand Japanese, or check the Japanese names for the cuts beforehand, as the menu has no pictures.

Once inside, you’ll see there aren’t many seats — just a row of L-shaped seating. Arriving right when they opened let us snag good seats, though there were already a few local customers seated nearby.

The grill used for Osaka-style grilled meat — I’ve used the same type of grill at an Osaka grilled meat spot in Taiwan. The fire is really strong and focused, making grilling super fast. You could easily end up charring the meat if you’re not careful.

The place is run by a Japanese mother who is incredibly kind, making you feel like you’re visiting a friend’s home. When she heard I was a guest from Taiwan, she even served us some side dishes — full of warmth and hospitality. I imagine this is the kind of grilled meat shop only locals would come to.

This special dipping sauce is really fragrant and pairs perfectly — packed with sesame aroma, thick yet refreshing.

Beef tongue 1200円 Don’t be fooled by how casually this beef tongue is arranged. It looks pretty ordinary, right? I thought the same at first, assuming it probably wasn’t anything special.

The auntie was busy pouring us fresh draft beer. My companion, Ms. Omura, who enjoys a little drink now and then, said it helps her relax more and makes the trip even more enjoyable.
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The beef tongue is rich in fat, so just placing it on the grill gives off an intense sizzle — whoosh whoosh whoosh — it scared me and I quickly flipped it over.

The almost-done beef, seasoned only lightly with pepper, becomes incredibly delicious when dipped in the special sauce. The thick slices of beef tongue have a nice texture, with a rich layer of fat that still doesn’t feel greasy.

For those not drinking alcohol, you can try what we did — lemon soda and cola, all served in glass bottles then poured into cups.

Adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice to the grilled meat enhances the tanginess and juiciness — also a great choice.

Want a slice? Dip it in the grilled meat sauce — absolutely delicious. Go ahead and have a few more pieces.

Awa beef 1300円 *2, premium meat (skirt steak) 1100円
When in Tokushima, Awa beef is a must-try — it’s also a local specialty. A highly recommended delicacy. It seems like the owner only sprinkled a bit of sauce, but somehow the saltiness comes out just right after grilling — truly impressive.

You can also get free refills on cabbage — once you’re almost done, the owner keeps topping it up. I like eating it with the grilled meat sauce; it cuts through the grease and refreshes the palate.

Japanese rice is seriously delicious no matter what. Actually, grilled meat and rice go really well together — seriously. Eating them together, I ended up polishing off quite a lot without realizing.

The side dish the owner served — pickled cucumbers, with their crisp texture, had me eating a few more bites of rice.

Watch as the high flames cook the meat — the marbling is great, and the meat is tender. Delicious.

The freshly grilled beef, with glistening fat, is so good you can eat it with a big bowl of rice without any sauce. Super savory.

You can also upgrade to fresh cabbage wraps with meat and a bite of rice — pure satisfaction. Thinking about it after returning to Taiwan still makes my mouth water~

Ribs 1100, intestines 750
I personally prefer eating meat, but the intestines are too greasy for me—the fat on them is excessive. They also require careful grilling; one wrong move and they’ll “flare up,” plus they’re easy to burn.

The total cost for this meal, including drinks, was 11800 Q?? Considering the prices in Japan, that’s quite affordable and cost-effective. If you come to my hometown, I can treat you to some local specialties—you might have a different culinary experience.

This trip used the Yuchuang Wi-5 DOMOS wireless internet router, allowing me to check in, look up train schedules and maps anytime while walking the streets of Japan, with very smooth internet access.

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