Kurobuta Pork

**Tonkatsu vs shabu-shabu:** Tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded cutlet) is the most popular preparation — crispy exterior, juicy interior, eaten with cabbage and miso-based tonkatsu sauce. Shabu-shabu (thinly sliced pork swished in boiling broth) highlights the meat's natural sweetness better but costs ¥3,000+ vs. ¥1,500 for tonkatsu. **Sweet potato feed flavor:** Kurobuta pigs are fed Kagoshima sweet potatoes (satsuma-imo), which locals claim gives the meat subtle sweetness. Blind taste tests show mixed results, but the marketing story is part of the experience. The meat is objectively well-marbled and tender. **Take-home:** Kagoshima-Chuo Station's omiyage (souvenir) section sells vacuum-packed kurobuta sausages, bacon, and ham (¥800–2,000) that survive 24 hours without refrigeration — excellent gifts for pork-loving friends.