If you want a Michelin-star-worthy dinner, you’ve got to try my Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops. These delicious pork chops are juicy and rich, with a flavor profile you won’t forget. Each bite is infused with zingy ginger, sweet soy, and hearty sesame. Friends and family will feel like they’re at a famous hibachi joint!

I seasoned these Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops with Heath Riles BBQ Simple Citrus Rub, giving it the perfect hint of cheery lemon. This recipe would be a fabulous date night dinner or a luxurious way to treat yourself at the end of a hard week! Either way, you’re in for the time of your life.

Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops | Heath Riles BBQ

Many people are intimidated by cooking tomahawks because they’re a pricey cut of meat. That’s entirely understandable! After all, you’ve got just one shot to get it right. I’ve taken the guesswork out of cooking tomahawk pork chops and am sharing my secrets for delicious chops every time. 

The trick to cooking fancy cuts of meat is not to go overboard. The flavor of the meat is often superior to other cuts, so it doesn’t need a lot of fanfare. You also don’t want to cook the meat for too long, which is why this recipe cooks hot and fast. Give it a shot, and let me know what you think! 

The Ingredients

Tomahawk pork chops. My good buddy from The Butcher Shoppe in Pensacola, Florida sent me these whopping tomahawk pork chops. Tomahawk pork chops are pleasing to the eye, but they’re even more delightful in your stomach! This meat cut comes from the pig's rib and includes more bone than other chops. Many prefer tomahawk cuts because of the rich marbling. If you’re looking for a gorgeous presentation, you can’t beat tomahawk pork chops! Give The Butcher Shoppe a try for steak, pork, and brisket. You won’t be disappointed! 

Bear & Burton’s W Sauce. Worcestershire sauce is on repeat at my house; I use it in burgers, meatloaves, and these Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops. This sauce comes from my buddies over at Bear & Burton’s. During the pandemic, they experimented with an old family recipe, tweaking it to perfection. I’ve never tasted a sauce with this much flavor, and from the reviews, I’m not alone! Once you have a bottle, you’ll never want to be without one. 

Heath Riles BBQ Simple Citrus Rub. If you love a bit of citrus on your meat, you’ll adore my Simple Citrus Rub. This rub features a mixture of garlic, salt, pepper, garlic, and multiple forms of lemon. You can use it on beef, steak, pork, chicken, vegetables, or seafood. It’s a great AP rub that will brighten anyone’s day. 

Kinder’s Japanese BBQ Cooking Sauce. Sometimes, a good shortcut ingredient saves the day, especially when it’s as high-quality as Kinder’s sauces and glazes. This Japanese BBQ sauce is a total game-changer. It contains sesame, soy, ginger, garlic, and a little rice vinegar. This sauce would also taste great on salmon or in a stir-fry! If you prefer, you can whip up your own Japanese-style BBQ sauce.

The Smoker Setup

Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites are in the Equipment and Tools section. 

• Kettle Grill. I cooked these Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops on the Weber Kettle Grill.  Beginners love this pit because there are only a few bells or whistles to mess with. Weber produces high-quality pits that last for ages. This model is easy to store, making it perfect for small spaces. There are also a lot of fun accessories you can purchase, like the Vortex Chimney, a must for two-zone fires. 
• Charcoal. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal. I used Royal’s Oak’s All Natural Charcoal Briquets. This charcoal doesn’t use any fillers and produces pure, clean smoke. This variation is their cleanest formula yet! I use these briquets just about every time with fabulous results. I also added a few Royal Oak Tumbleweeds for good measure.

The Process for Making Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops

You’ll find an in-depth demonstration of this recipe within the video and recipe card. For now, enjoy a quick overview of how I made these lip-smackin’ Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops.

1. Fire up the grill. I stoked the Weber Kettle Grill with Royal’s Oak’s All Natural Charcoal Briquets and Royal Oak Tumbleweeds, creating a two-zone fire. I let the pit heat up to about 350℉-400℉, just right for cooking hot and fast.
2. Season the pork. My tomahawk pork chops came ready to go; no trimming required! This cut of meat was picture-perfect. I wanted to keep it simple, so I drizzled the pork with a little Bear & Burton’s W Sauce and seasoned it with Heath Riles BBQ Simple Citrus Rub. I flipped the pork chops and repeated the process on the other side. Don’t be afraid to go heavy on the seasoning! A lot of it will burn off in the cooking process.
3. Start cooking. I set the Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops on the Weber Kettle Grill’s cool side and let them go for 25 minutes, flipping them halfway. 
4. Add glaze. Once the pork chops hit 130℉, I sauced them on both sides with Kinders Japanese BBQ Cooking Sauce. Then, I moved them to the Weber Kettle Grill’s hot zone to char. This step doesn’t take long, so keep the meat moving! I flipped my pork chops every few seconds until the meat was charred to my liking. 
5. Caramelize and finish. I brushed on one last layer of Kinders Japanese BBQ Cooking Sauce and shut the grill for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce. When the pork chops reached 145℉-150℉ internally, I removed them from the Weber Kettle Grill and let them rest for five minutes before digging in. 

The Results

The Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops filled my house with a warm, spicy scent. Even though they only cooked for 25 minutes, the knife slid through them like butter! The combination of Heath Riles BBQ Simple Citrus Rub and Japanese BBQ sauce was heaven! It gave the meat a deep flavor with a hint of bright citrus and zesty ginger. 

Serving Suggestions for Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops

These Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops would go great with a buttered baked sweet potato. Other delicious sides include Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans! You could also start your meal with a BBQ-inspired charcuterie board. 

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover Japanese Inspired Tomahawk Pork Chops in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. 

Equipment and Tools

Weber Kettle Grill, Royal Oak All Natural Charcoal Briquets, Royal Oak Tumbleweeds, Heath Riles BBQ Butcher Paper, disposable cutting board, ThermoWorks Thermapen One, tongs, Vortex chimney, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Silicone Brush, Heath Riles BBQ Heat Resistant Gloves.