Kinako Pork is a distinctive brand of pork raised at Hazama Farm in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, an area well known for its livestock industry. The pigs are carefully raised in Miyazaki’s natural environment, surrounded by clean air and clear streams.
The name “Kinako Pork” comes from kinako, roasted soybean flour, which is included in the animals’ feed. Kinako is rich in nutrients and plant-based protein. It is blended with carefully selected ingredients, including corn, to create a nutritious and balanced feed.
The soybean-based protein in the feed helps produce pork with particularly flavorful fat and a distinctive natural sweetness. The pigs are raised with careful attention to their health and nutrition, resulting in meat with a mellow, well-rounded umami flavor.
Another characteristic of Kinako Pork is its high moisture-retention capacity. The meat has a pleasantly resilient texture and remains juicy, making it suitable for a wide variety of dishes.
For visitors trying Kinako Pork for the first time, shabu-shabu is especially recommended. In this Japanese hot-pot dish, thin slices of pork are briefly swished through hot broth before being eaten. Because the meat is seasoned simply, this preparation allows diners to appreciate the pork’s natural flavor, juiciness, and pleasantly springy texture.
Kinako Pork is a specialty that reflects the care taken in livestock farming in Miyakonojo. When visiting Miyazaki, try it in shabu-shabu or another local pork dish and discover the distinctive sweetness and rich flavor developed through its carefully selected feed.