Teriyaki pork skewers are classic reproductions of the famed Japanese yakitori “meat on a stick.” They are light on the veg but packed full of delightfully grilled meat, and are matched with goma dare, a hugely popular Japanese sesame based dipping sauce that you can make at home. The best thing about this recipe is that it takes little to no time to put together, yet could be served in a restaurant!

Teriyaki perfectly illustrates the matching of savory sweetness and texture known as umami, making it one of Japan’s most popular marinades for western palates. Pork teriyaki and the irresistible sesame sauce pack both a visual and flavor punch that make for a deliciously enjoyable starter for the family, or for larger occasions.

I made the choice to use a store bought teriyaki then add some other helpful elements – citrus juice, minced ginger, and BBQ sauce (for thickening). The distinctive umami taste is always going to hit the tongue with an explosion of flavor, and I really wanted to amp up that flavor base, so that the quick-grilled pork tenderloin dazzles on your tongue!

The goma dare (goma means sesame) dipping sauce I crafted myself, a task I learned while living in Japan nearly two decades ago. I wanted to go back in time while I cooked one of my old favorites. The ingredients aren’t difficult to find at supermarkets and Asian grocers, and you only need to mix them together to make a deliciously versatile sauce. Once you’ve mastered your first richly flavored sauce, there are other amazing possibilities to accompany awesome Japanese dishes.

Both of the sauces included in this recipe you can create yourself or use from a store bought bottle if you want to save some time and effort. You just need to allocate time to marinating the pork, and make sure to pre-soak the skewers prior to grilling. While this version is made without accompanying veggies, you can use onions, squash, and peppers to add other color and taste elements, and make the skewers a more rounded starter or main meal.