Inspired by the great Mongolian ruler Genghis Khan, Jingisukan is a lamb yakiniku dish that was introduced to Hokkaido in the 1900s.
Yakiniku or “Japanese barbecue” typically consists of beef cooked on a grill in a “do it yourself” fashion, but Hokkaido popularized the Mongolian-style grilling of lamb and mutton in Japan since sheep imports increased in the 1900s.
The name Jingisukan is a Japanese derivative of Genghis Khan, the 13th-century Mongolian ruler who conquered large parts of Asia and Europe, likely popularizing Mongolian barbecue and cuisine along the way.
Mongolian Style Barbecue
While you can find Jingisukan restaurants all over Japan nowadays, the vast majority of these lamb yakiniku restaurants are located on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
I had the privilege of visiting one of the most popular branches in Sapporo and managed to get in without a booking (the perks of solo travel)!
Jingisukan consists of raw pieces of lamb and mutton ready to be cooked on the grill alongside a variety of vegetables.
In my case, being the low-budget man that I am, I went for the most basic set which consisted of a generous serving of lamb pieces, thick-cut onions, and savory dipping sauce with sesame seeds.
Succulent Grilled Lamb
This is where the fun begins, as you are given all the power to begin cooking your meat the way you like it.
Unlike beef yakiniku, it’s recommended that you cook lamb and mutton thoroughly so that it is well done with no raw bits inside.
Don’t worry, I can assure you the meat maintains its tenderness and succulence, so don’t be afraid to get those toasty grill marks on your cooked lamb.
Savoury Soup Finisher
Just when I thought it was over after eating all my lamb and vegetables, the waitress came along with a pot of boiling water and poured it into my remaining dipping sauce bowl.
She then told me to enjoy it as a soup which, to my surprise, was quite a delicious ending to my very first Jingisukan dining experience!
So if you’re putting together a Hokkaido bucket list then you absolutely must try this Mongolian-inspired lamb yakiniku which has come to be one of the local delicacies of northern Japan!
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