A member of Teriyaki Ichiban (Teriyaki number one) smiles in front of his jerk chicken pan on Red Hills Road St Andrew, yesterday. The men have been on the island for the past three years and recently opened a teriyaki chicken business in the area. - Paula Gordon

Two Japanese men have been creating quite a buzz on Red Hills Road near the Dunrobin Primary School with their Japanese style pan chicken.

Red Hills Road is arguably one of the most popular jerk spots in Kingston and St Andrew. On any given day several chefs can be seen on the roadside with their jerk drums cooking up a storm. Interestingly though, the Japanese are now plying their trade in the area as well.

THE STAR understands that the men have been living in the island for the last three years and during that time they have also been involved in the music industry.

In an interview yesterday, the 28-year-old and the 36-year-old men who go by the name Teriyaki Ichiban (Teriyaki number one) told THE STAR that they have been selling their Japanese style teriyaki chicken for close to a month. THE STAR understands that the chicken that is sold for $350 per quarter is prepared by placing it on a jerk drum.

sweet roast

"It's not jerk chicken, jerk chicken season we put the chicken in teriyaki sauce and then put it in the drum ... It's like sweet roast," one of the men said. The men informed THE STAR that their intention was to open a restaurant in the island but so far they have been unable to locate a suitable spot for a reasonable price.

"Our friend lives in the community so we out here," one of them said.

Furthermore, the men explained that initially they came to Jamaica to get involved in music but after learning about the roots and culture they decided to go into the food business.

"Yeah man people shock when they see us out here," one of the men noted.

As for competition, the Japanese say they don't believe they will be a direct competition to the Red Hills Road jerk men because they are doing teriyaki chicken and for them there is a big difference.

"It's kinda different taste so it cyan be competitive, mi respect all the jerk man dem in Jamaica," one of the men said.

In the meantime, although business has been slow, Teriyaki Ichiban say they plan to be around for a long time.

"Me love the people, some are very kind, most of them polite, the weather I hate cold weather, mi love the music and of course the woman," one of the men said.