30 Restaurants in Tokyo for Drinks and Yakitori Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 15 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

30 Restaurants in Tokyo for Drinks and Yakitori

When drinking, Japanese people love nothing better than yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). Yakitori, coated in salty-sweet sauce or salt, is reliably delicious item that goes perfectly with drinks! Here are 30 spots, ranging from unpretentious izakaya (Japanese pubs) to wine bars, that all have one thing in common: delicious yakitori and drinks!

See full listings of Yakitori restaurants found in and around Tokyo.

1. Toriuo Ebisu branch (Ebisu)

This spot offers yakitori and Italian-based cuisine. Dishes here feature domestically-raised Daisen jidori (local chicken), used the same day it is brought in, and include rarer cuts such as the [Aorta] and [Tail]. There is also a large selection of wine, so why not pair your yakitori with a drink for a great time? Once you've eaten a bit of yakitori, it would be a shame not to order some more items as well. One must-try option is the [Tapas Sampler]. Everything in this dish pairs outstandingly well with wine, from the marinated octopus and celery to the soft-boiled egg topped with ikura (salmon roe), the ratatouille, and the liver pate!

Toriuo Ebisu branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:30 pm - 2:00 am (L.O. 1:00 am)
[Sunday, National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 0:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY
Access: 7 minutes walk from Ebisu Station on each line
Address: 1F, Ebisu Bldg., 4-10-8, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

2. Kenko Bishoku Hakata Mizutaki to Sumibi Yakitori Bijindori (Ebisu)

Diners here can enjoy charcoal-cooked yakitori and fresh chicken dishes in this restaurant's modern Japanese interior. The carefully-selected chicken used here is cut and prepared fresh every day, and is then seared over binchotan (type of high-quality charcoal). The simple seasoning of mineral-rich Aguni salt will bring out the meat's umami (Japanese savory taste) even further! This restaurant is also able to offer its [Fresh Chicken Sashimi 3-Variety Sampler] thanks to the extremely fresh chicken used here. Be sure to try this dish as well! Once you taste chicken tender, breast, and gizzard meat as sashimi, the juicy textures are sure to have you hooked in no time! A variety of Japanese and Western alcohols are available here, so guests can enjoy their preferred drink along with their meal.

Kenko Bishoku Hakata Mizutaki to Sumibi Yakitori Bijindori

Open: [Sundays & Holidays] Hours: 5:00 pm -12:00 am
[Monday, Tuesday, Thursday] Hours: 6:00 pm - 4:00 am
[Fridays & Days before holidays]: Hours: 6:00 pm - 12:00 am
[Saturdays] Hours: 5:00 pm - 4:00 am
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 2 minute walk from Ebisu Station via all lines
Address: Five Annex 2F, 1-3-10 Ebisu Nisi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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3. Otori (Akasaka-mitsuke)

Guests can enjoy fresh yakitori and local sake (Japanese alcohol) at this refined, tucked-away spot. The chef here, utterly dedicated to creating new, innovative flavors, uses a special sauce that has been preserved and added to for many years, resulting in richness and umami, unlike other sauces. The salt is also created from various types of salt that are mixed together, stewed, and cooked down, a time-consuming process that brings the yakitori's flavor to its full delicious potential, while also imparting a delicate quality. The [Misuji Course] is a popular option at Otori, featuring a balance of the day's recommended items as well as standard orders. Pair one of the local sake choices, discerningly curated by the chef, with your meal for the full experience! Beer and wine are also available, so why not try out a few different pairings with your yakitori?

Otori

Open: [Weekdays] Hours 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm) / Lunch 11:30 am -1:30 pm
[Saturdays] Hours 12:00 pm -11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 950 JPY
Access: Go down southward from Exit 11 of the Tokyo Metro Akasakamitsuke Station. Turn right at the corner of Mitsui Sumitomo Bank, then take a left at the third crossroad, and the venue should be on your left.
Address: No.8 Arai Bldg. B1F, 3-12-18 Akasaka , Minato-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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4. Hakata Hotaru Azabujuban (Azabu-juban)

This spot is perfect for enjoying famous specialties from Hakata, Fukuoka, alongside grilled skewers - all for a reasonable price! The [Kyushu 3-Skewer Set] uses fresh chicken brought in that day, giving this excellent dish a soft and juicy texture. Pairing this option with Hakata's renowned [Motsu Nabe] (offal hot pot) and the specially-made spicy mentaiko (seasoned cod roe) is the way to go! This restaurant boasts a large alcohol selection as well, including beer, wine, shochu (Japanese alcohol), and whisky. What's more, there is also a course including an all-you-can-drink option for any diners who are especially eager to drink!

Hakata Hotaru Azabujuban

Open: Normal hours: 6:00 pm - 4:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,900 JPY
Access: A 2-minute walk in the direction of the Embassy of Austria from exit 7 of Azabu-Juban station on the Toei Oedo line
Address: IPSE Azabu Juban Shichimenzaka 1F, 2-7-5 Azabu Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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5. Sumibi Taishu Sakaba Yattoko (Otsuka)

Sumibi Taishu Sakaba Yattoko is popular for its distinctive skewers and nabe (hot pot) dishes. The sake here is carefully selected, and all of the options are priced equally thanks to the owner's desire for patrons to enjoy a variety of drinks. This restaurant also offers servings of only a half "go" (about 90 ml), another plus! The well-known [Premium Liver Skewers] here are notable for their distinct lack of odor, meaning that even diners who normally would avoid liver can enjoy this dish. Their creamy flavor is sure to become an obsession! Another year-round favorite is the hearty [Tsukune Senpai], a chicken meatball item containing ingredients like cartilage and perilla leaf. This versatile restaurant is great for diners who want to enjoy skewers, snacks, and a quiet drink alone, but it is equally suitable for having a good time with friends and family while sharing a nabe!

Sumibi Taishu Sakaba Yattoko

Open: [Tuesday - Thursday, Sunday, national holidays] Normal hours 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Friday, Saturday, days before national holidays] Normal hours 5:00 pm - 5:00 am (last order 4:00 am)
Closed: Mondays
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY
Access: Take the JR Otsuka Station North Exit, follow the train tracks in the Ikebukuro direction, and turn right at the Utsusemi Hashi North intersection. We are on the first floor of "No. 2 Fuji Heights," on the street.
Address: No.2 Fuji Heights 103, 2-8-6 Kita Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

6. Torigen Kamata (Kamata)

Torigen Kamata specializes in chicken dishes and uses Miyazaki Prefecture's Kirishima brand of chicken. Every imaginable cut of chicken is offered on its diverse menu, but the top choice is certainly the [5-Variety Skewer Set]. The chef selects only the very best skewers of the day, all 5 of which are served on a single plate, making for a great deal! There are many other ways to enjoy chicken here, including the [Torigen Salad], accented with crispy fried chicken skin, as well as the [Bone-in Thigh Meat Umami-age], an excellent choice for hearty eaters! There is also a wide selection of shochu on offer here, as well as Okinawan "awamori" liquor, an exceptionally good pairing for chicken, so be sure to try these options out as well!

Torigen Kamata

Open: [Weekdays/Saturday] Normal hours 5:00 p.m.- 3:00 a.m. (last order 2:00 a.m.)
[Sunday/holidays] Normal hours 5:00 p.m.- 12:00 midnight (last order 11:00 p.m.)
Closed: Sundays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: Three minute walk from the east exit of JR Kamata Station. Take the street to the left of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank, cross Route 11 and head 30m for the bridge, left side.
Address: 5-3-3 Kamata , Ota-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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7. Yakitori Abe (Meguro)

Yakitori Abe has a stylishly modern interior design, and is based on the concept of "Yakitori x Wine." Some people avoid yakitori places due to the smoke's tendency to cling to clothes, but diners here needn't worry, as there is a duct over the grill that keeps the restaurant smoke-free for a fresh, clean dining experience! Juicy and incredibly flavorful "Date" brand chicken is used here, notable for being even more tender than other jidori brands. Of course, common chicken cuts free of bones and fat are available, but don't skip over equally delicious options like liver and heart! The [Chef's Choice Course] here is especially recommended. It is a course meal where the yakitori keeps coming until the customer says they've had enough. You are guaranteed to get nice and full with this option!

Yakitori Abe

Open: [Weekdays/Saturdays/holidays/days before holidays] Normal hours: 6:00 pm -12:00 am (last order 11:00 pm).
Closed: Sundays
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: Exit from the east exit upon alighting at Meguro station on various lines, and proceed straight along Meguro Avenue in front of Resona Bank. We will be 3 buildings beside the 7-Eleven.
Address: Miyuki House 1F, Kamiosaki 3-3-4, Shinagawa, Tokyo (Map)
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8. Hinaizidori-Yakitori Maekawa (Ginza)

The many exquisite chicken dishes here are crafted by a famous chef who has dedicated over 20 years solely to this cuisine. Nothing but the finest ingredients are used here, such as vegetables and Hinai jidori raised naturally at farms in Shonai, Yamagata Prefecture. When combined with the chef's finely-honed skills and encyclopedic knowledge of chicken, you always get truly masterful creations. One especially good option for experiencing the full flavors of Hinai jidori is the rare [Deluxe Heart Skewer], a single skewer featuring rare heart cuts from a total of three chickens. This meat's strong flavor and sweet fat form a perfect combination! The chef has also given careful thought to the sake selection here, which features some 40 varieties. Choose one of the recommended options to go with your meal!

Hinaizidori-Yakitori Maekawa

Open: [Weekday, Saturday, day before public holiday] normally 5:00 am to 11:00 pm (last order 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: Located 5 minutes by foot from Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro / Shimbashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, JR Lines, the Toei Asakusa Line, or other connecting lines.
Address: Asoruti Ginza Hana Tsubaki Dori Bldg. 11F, 7-6-10 Ginza , Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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9. Ohajiki Shinjuku (Shinjuku Nishiguchi)

Diners at Ohajiki Shinjuku can savor premium jidori and choice sake while taking in the retro interior, styled in the fashion of an old Japanese house. Nothing but the finest ingredients are used here: Kosyu brand chicken brought in directly from Yamanashi Prefecture, vegetables supplied by contracted farmers, and seasonings ordered from a seasoning manufacturer. The star attraction here is the [Tsukune Tama-ochi], lovingly crafted from over 20 ingredients. Choose between sauce or salt for flavoring, and then dip this spicy chicken tsukune into egg yolk and enjoy! Nothing could be better than this dish, featuring meltingly soft egg yolk enveloping the juicy tsukune. There are many varieties of sake for diners to choose from as well, but the large selection of wines, hailing from the very same Yamanashi where the chicken is from, is the recommended choice here.

Ohajiki Shinjuku

Open: [Weekdays / Saturday] Normal hours: 5:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: Five minutes from the D4 exit of Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Station. Proceed west along the pedestrian bridge, and cross the #4 municipal road. Descend the stairs on the west side, turn right at the corner directly ahead, and it will be on the left-hand side.
Address: Dai-2 Kojima Bldg. B1F, 7-12-24 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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10. SHINZEN - Edomae Soba & Yogan-Yaki Jidori (Ebisu)

Fans of Japanese cuisine will love this restaurant, which offers items such as soba (buckwheat noodles), yakitori, and sake! The [Thigh Meat Yogan-yaki] is cooked on lava rocks, whose heating properties result in an outside cooked at high heat and a well-cooked inside that work together to seal in all the delicious umami! This tender thigh meat has an unbeatable texture, but there are many other options here as well, ranging from standards such as [Chicken Tender] and [Liver], to the rarer cuts included in the [Rare Cut Sampler], a favorite item among those who are in the know. If you're planning on also enjoying soba, sake is certainly recommended, but there are a number of other options to choose from as well, such as shochu and whisky.

SHINZEN - Edomae Soba & Yogan-Yaki Jidori

Open: 11:30 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 7 minutes walk from the east exit of JR Ebisu Station
Address: B1F, Ebisu Garden Place Glass Square, 4-20-4 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

11. Katsu Shimokitazawa (Shimokitazawa)

This restaurant prides itself on choosing the finest brands of chicken for each of the cuts featured in its dishes. Diners here can enjoy both yakitori, lightly seared over Kishu binchotan, as well as a variety of other chicken dishes. The [8 Skewer Course] is one recommended choice here, featuring fresh chicken cut and prepared that day. Be sure to try the heart and liver cuts, made from Daisen chicken, whose unique flavors have won them many fans. What's more, the 20-plus varieties of shochu offered here are priced reasonably and pair well with all things chicken!

Katsu Shimokitazawa

Open: (Weekdays, Saturday) Normal hours 6:00pm-4:00am (last order 3:00am)
(Saturday, Holidays) Normal hours 6:00pm- 4:00am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Two minute walk from North exit of Shimo-Kitazawa station.
Address: Katayanagi Bldg. 1F, 2-33-3 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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12. 76Vin (Nezu)

This wine bar focuses on yakitori and has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that is comfortable for even solo diners. The yakitori, made from Saisai chicken from Iwate Prefecture, is accompanied with either a red wine-based sauce or French Guérande salt, both of which were specifically chosen to pair well with wine! If you can't decide what to get, why not try the [Recommended 3 Skewer Set]? This popular set features a skewer of thigh meat seasoned with cumin, a negima (onion and tuna) skewer, and a skewer of the liver. Wine is the perfect accompaniment for this option, with diners having some 100 varieties, mainly natural wines, to choose from. Don't hesitate to discuss your choice of wine with the staff, either!

76Vin

Open: 6:00 pm - 12:00 am, no yakitori (grilled chicken) on Wednesday
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: Go out of exit 1 of Nezu Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. Head through the traffic signal along Genmon Street for about 30 seconds, next to Akafudado.
Address: 1F, 2-13-8 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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13. Akasaka Zammai (Akasaka-mitsuke)

Akasaka Zammai presents diners with food made from fresh jidori and seafood, as well as organic vegetables. The [Deluxe Thigh Meat Tataki] should be the first on your list of things to try. This excellent dish is cooked using domestic binchotan, which keeps the skin of the deluxe thigh meat crisp and the meat juicy, allowing customers to experience the true umami of this jidori! The [Chicken Tender Wasabi], also quickly seared over charcoal, features fresh chicken tender meat dabbed with wasabi, an outstanding choice for pairing with drinks. Enjoy an elegant meal here while savoring some of the 60 - 70 varieties of sake, wine, and shochu curated for your enjoyment by the staff!

Akasaka Zammai

Open: Normal hours: 11:30am-12:00am Dinner * Weekdays (Monday-Friday) 5:30pm-12:00am (last order: 11:00pm), Saturdays: 5:30pm-10:00pm (last order: 9:00pm) / Lunch: 11:30am-2:00pm Lunch only offered on Weekdays (Monday-Friday), last order 1:30pm
Closed: Wednesdays
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Five minute walk from Exit 2, Akasaka Station, Chiyoda Subway Line; or thirty second walk (32 meters) from Akasaka-mitsuke Station, Ginza Line/Marunouchi Line
Address: Akasaka Aruto Bldg. 6F , 3-8-1 Akasaka , Minato-ku, Tokyo

14. Asagaya Birdland (Asagaya)

Asagaya Birdland uses Okukuji Shamo brand chicken, praised for its flavor-packed meat. The chicken, brought in whole every day, is carefully cut up to avoid detracting from the delicate flavors and then cooked over binchotan in order to maximize the umami. Thanks to having the entire chicken to work with, options here range from standard choices like [Sunagimo], which are gizzards seasoned with a sauce made from rice vinegar and herbs, and [Wasabi-yaki], replete with the umami of chicken tenders, to rarer cuts such as sori (chicken oysters) and peta (meat from the tail area), of which only a limited number of servings are offered each day! You can't go wrong pairing one of this restaurant's many sake or wine options with your meal, either!

Asagaya Birdland

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, Holidays, Day Before Holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (last order 10:15 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: Go out of the south exit of JR Asagaya Station and head straight down the narrow street to the right. The restaurant is on the first floor of a building to the left.
Address: 1F Pearl Asagaya , 3-37-9 Asagaya Minami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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15. Yakitori House Nonchan (Ginza)

This place uses a highly secret salt blend in order to enhance the umami of their yakitori. Diners here can order a variety of yakitori options, including rich and fatty wings, duck, soft liver and gizzards, and juicy tsukune, but the selection goes well beyond yakitori, including choices such as karaage (deep-fried chicken) as well. One recommended dish is the popular [Chicken Variety and All-You-Can-Drink Course], which features skewers and other a-la-carte items. Don't forget to enjoy a drink along with your yakitori either, such as this restaurant's original brand of cold sake, "Nonchan Kizake," delivered directly from the brewery, or an option from the beer and shochu selection.

Yakitori House Nonchan

Open: Normal hours: 6:00pm-4:00am (last order: 3:00am) last order for Food is 3:00am.
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: A <5-minute walk> from Higashi-Ginza/You may also come from Yurakucho station.
Address: Asahi Bldg. B1F , 6-12-10 Ginza , Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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16. Nishi Azabu Bancho (Nogizaka)

Savor a meal of yakitori at this stylish restaurant! Suigo Aka brand chicken, filled with delicious umami and notable for the enticingly soft texture of its meat, is used here. This excellent yakitori is cooked over charcoal, resulting in a crisp outside and soft inside. Nishi Azabu Bancho's renowned [Bancho 6-Skewer Yakitori Course] features one skewer of each of the following: chicken tender, thigh, liver, wings, dango (dumpling), and vegetable, all seasoned with sea salt to fully bring out the umami of the meat and vegetables. There are also many kinds of sake and shochu offered here, as well as many snacks to go along with them, making this restaurant especially ideal for guests looking to enjoy a quiet, relaxed drink.

Nishi Azabu Bancho

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Normal hours: 5:00 pm - 11:30 am
Closed: Sundays
Average price: -
Access: Seven-minute walk from Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. Located near the Minato Ward municipal offices.
Address: Hikita Bldg. 1F, 1-14-2 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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17. Torifuji (Shimbashi)

Torifuji has the perfect appearance of a classic Japanese yakitori restaurant. Tender, umami-filled Jiyo chicken from Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, is used here to make the yakitori, deftly cooked by a chef with 40 years of experience. One standout choice amongst all of the options is the [Tsukune with Yuzu Flavoring]. This tsukune is cooked with a variety of seasonings, including lightly seared chopped yuzu (citrus fruit) peels, and is so popular that virtually everyone orders it! For your drink, choose from beer, sake, and chuhai (shochu highballs), all of which are reasonably priced.

Torifuji

Open: [Weekdays / Saturday / Day before Holidays] Normal hours: 5:00 p.m. - Midnight
Closed: Wednesdays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Three minutes on foot from the Karasumori Exit of Shimbashi Station
Address: 3-13-7 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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18. Kushiyaki Sumishin (Kamata)

Kushiyaki Sumishin is popular for its yakitori cooked over binchotan and its stylish wooden interior that helps create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The jidori here, brought in fresh every day from farms in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, is prized for its exceptional freshness and soft texture. Kushiyaki Sumishin's [Tsukune] contains duck meat, resulting in a deep, rich flavor, and the salty-sweet sauce used in this dish is sure to make you want to eat more! Adding a hot spring egg from the side menu is another popular choice among guests here. There are numerous other options as well, such as fresh [Liver] and the rare [Duck Neck], all of which pair wonderfully with sake. This spot also offers a sake sampler set so that diners can enjoy a variety of drinks along with their yakitori.

Kushiyaki Sumishin

Open: Normal hours: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm, last order at 10:10 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: Take the west exit of Kamata Station and head through the Sunrise Mall. It is about 50m after the end of the covered section of the mall, on the second floor of the building on the right.
Address: Kobayashi Bldg. 2F, 7-51-13 Nishi Kamata , Ota-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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19. Miyashin (Ginza)

Taste the result of 50 years of dedication to yakitori cuisine at Miyashin! "Simply grilling the meat is not enough; evenly heating the water inside the meat is also very important," says the famous chef here. It goes without saying that every cut here is perfectly cooked with the very best methods possible to highlight their various qualities, resulting in meltingly-soft [Liver], rich and savory [Chochin], soft and juicy [Kashiwa], and delightful [Cartilage] that all truly stand out from the rest. The drink selection here primarily features sake, as well as a variety of wines and champagne.

Miyashin

Open: [Weekdays] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
[Saturday, Sunday, Holidays] 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm　
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,500 JPY
Access: 2 minute walk from exit C1 of Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.
Address: 2F Ginza Corridor Machi , 7-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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20. Yakitori Imai (Gaiemmae)

Yakitori Imai offers courses featuring both yakitori and a variety of other dishes. Shamo chicken is a given, but a wide variety of prestigious ingredients are also present in these dishes, including Basque pork, an ancient product from this region, French Challans duck, Scottish turtledoves, and wild-caught eel from Lake Shinji! Unsurprisingly, the advertised choice here is the [Imai Yakitori], featuring primarily Matsukaze jidori whose springy texture is a pleasure to chew and whose every bite is overflowing with umami. This restaurant only offers "Taketsuru" sake, beloved by the owner, so be sure to sample this drink along with your course!

Yakitori Imai

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm(L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 6 minutes walk from Gaienmae station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.
Address: 1F, Rosa bianca, 3-42-11Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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21. Yakitori Tori Ryori Toritatsu (Shinjuku)

This restaurant has been praised for using Hyuga and Jiyo brand chicken, known for being low in both fat and calories while still boasting a rich, sweet flavor! Everybody loves the yakitori here, cooked using binchotan to make the meat tender and seal in the umami. The [Toritatsu Tsukune], popular due to its seasoning made with a secret recipe, and the [Asparagus Roll], featuring asparagus wrapped in pork belly, are just some of the many options here that pair well with beer and shochu. This spot is especially great for diners looking to experience delicious yakitori in an unpretentious public izakaya atmosphere!

Yakitori Tori Ryori Toritatsu

Open: 4:00 pm - 2:00 am
[Saturday] 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: Exit through the south exit of JR Yamanote Line "Shinjuku Station", and go to the right.
Address: Ayuzawa Bldg. B1F , 1-19-12 Nishi Shinjuku , Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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22. Yakitori Hajime (Monzen-nakacho)

Yakitori is a given at Yakitori Hajime, but there are many original creations using chicken on offer as well, all of which are based on Japanese cuisine. This restaurant offers almost exclusively course options, such as the [Chicken Tanno Course], a chef's choice course composed around yakitori. This yakitori, seasoned with Okinawan sea salt and a special sauce made in-house, is carefully crafted with domestically-raised aged chicken, resulting in a subtle, delicate flavor. Diners can also choose from a large selection of sake, including local brands, which are sure to enhance the flavors of their yakitori further!

Yakitori Hajime

Open: [Weekdays] 5:30 pm - 1:00 am
[Weekends, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm *We may close upon selling out of ingredients
Closed: Every first Sunday and Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: 2 minutes on foot from Exit 2 of Monzen-Nakacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line
Address: 1-1-8 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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23. Yakitori Kodama (Sangenjaya)

Experience both yakitori and single-item dishes with the course options offered at Yakitori Kodama! The Niigata jidori used here, from Tochio, Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, is brought in whole and then cut up and arranged onto skewers in the restaurant. This meat is notable for its firm texture, rich umami, and lack of any unpleasant odors, all key characteristics of jidori. Be sure to end your meal with the [Kake-soba], featuring soup based on a dashi (broth) also created with Niigata jidori! A good 30 varieties of wine, the recommended drink choice at Yakitori Kodama, are usually offered here, including domestic options and Burgundy wine. Pair one of these wines from around the world with your chicken for a fully satisfying meal!

Yakitori Kodama

Open: 6:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm). *Only courses available for reservations for 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:00 pm. A la carte options available from 8:00 pm.
Closed: Sunday *Closed on Monday 2 times per month
Average price: 10,000 JPY
Address: 2F-A, Palais de Jeunesse, 1-11-12, Ikejiri, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo (Map)

24. Imabari Teppan Yakitori Yamadori Shibuya (Shibuya)

This spot offers Imabari yakitori, a specialty from Imabari in Ehime Prefecture wherein the yakitori is cooked not on a grill, but rather a teppan (iron griddle). Essential Ehime ingredients rarely seen in Tokyo are delivered directly to the restaurant, including the popular "Torikawa" (chicken skin), Iyo Suigun jidori, pheasant, duck, and wild boar. The [Kawa Plate] is one popular choice here, featuring juicy chicken skin cooked on a teppan to remove excess fat. The amazing texture will make you keep reordering it! The drink selection focuses mostly on local sake from Ehime, including this restaurant's original brand of cold sake and nigorizake (cloudy sake). There is also a large selection of shochu for diners to choose from as well.

Imabari Teppan Yakitori Yamadori Shibuya

Open: Normal hours: 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (last order 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,800 JPY
Access: 5 min. walk from Shibuya Station's Hachiko Exit. 3rd floor of the building in front of the entrance to Hyakkendana, on top of Dogenzaka.
Address: Dogenzaka SUN J Bldg. 3F , 2-28-5 Dogenzaka , Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

25. Sakagura Kura (Ikebukuro)

Sakagura Kura offers a variety of dishes that go well with drinks, from yakitori and sashimi to smoked items and nabe dishes. Drink options include local sake and shochu collected from regions across Japan, as well as whisky and wine. One popular menu item here is the [5-Skewer Sampler], a set which features gizzards, tsukune, liver, negima, and wings, as well as the option of choosing between sauce or salt for seasoning. Furthermore, the Daisen jidori used here gives the dishes a pleasant texture.

Sakagura Kura

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, and holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (last order 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: A 1-minute walk from the west exit of Ikebukuro station on various lines
Address: 1-28-1 Nishi Ikebukuro , Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Map)
More Details Reservation

26. Kotori (Akihabara)

The source of the chicken used at Kotori varies depending on the part used, with liver and harami (abdominal wall muscles) taken from the Suigo Aka brand, while hearts and gizzards come from Jiyo chickens. The chef has personally tasted chicken from around Japan to select the best for the yakitori here. Be sure to order the [Yakitori Chef's Choice 5-Skewer Course], an option that features various recommended cuts of the day. The discerningly-chosen sake selection here changes to reflect the seasons, and pairs very well with all of the excellent chicken dishes. There are only a few classics offered here, though, so this high-end spot is best for enjoying more seasonal yakitori and sake options.

Kotori

Open: [Weekdays] 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Saturday] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 2F, Solution Asakusabashi, 1-29-1, Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details

27. Sumibiyaki Bancho (Kanda)

Diners here can enjoy an array of izakaya-themed options centered around jidori, fresh fish, and motsu nabe. The star here is definitely the [Daisen Jidori Yakitori Bancho with Hand-made Rock Salt & Secret Sauce], notable for being double the size of normal yakitori! This dish features Daisen jidori thigh meat cooked over charcoal, resulting in a wonderfully crisp outside and juicy inside. Diners can choose from a wide selection of drinks as well, including shochu, sake, whisky, and chuhai. Reservations are required here, but there are many private rooms, making this spot ideal for guests looking to enjoy a relaxed, leisurely meal.

Sumibiyaki Bancho

Open: 3:00 pm - 5:00 am (Food L.O. 4:00 am, Drink L.O. 4:30 am)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,980 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 2F, No. 6 Ohara Bldg., 3-9-6, Uchi Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

28. Torie (Ueno-hirokoji)

There are always requests for reservations at this spot, which has garnered praise for the 5 brands of chicken used in its yakitori. The simple, careful preparation of the premium ingredients here allows the chef's skills to truly shine, such as in the [7-Skewer Yakitori Set], a highly satisfying course created in accordance with the chef's preferences. The tenders in particular have a simple flavor and wonderfully mellow texture! Many varieties of both sake and wine are available here, but the wine, chosen by the in-house sommelier based on what would pair best with the

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.