Try These Yakitori! 15 Recommended Izakaya in Osaka Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Nov 15 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Try These Yakitori! 15 Recommended Izakaya in Osaka

Osaka is best known for okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) and takoyaki (octopus balls), but it actually has lots of delicious yakitori spots as well. Yakitori are juicy and tasty chicken skewers that you can't miss when you're in Japan. Share them with your friends in one of these 15 recommended izakaya (Japanese pub)!

See full listings of Izakaya and Yakitori restaurants found in and around Osaka.

1. Sumibi Jidori Bishu Ayamuya

This popular yakitori restaurant is often visited by gourmands. Operating under the motto of "staying faithful to the basics", they serve unpretentious, classic yakitori. They use Tamba ji-dori (Tamba chicken) from Hyogo Prefecture, which has a rich umami (Japanese savory taste) that spills out with each bite. Each part is cooked so that it's at its most delicious. Every skewer is carefully prepared and then grilled on high-temperature charcoal fire until tender and fragrant. The menu also offers a premium selection of sake (Japanese alcohol) from all over Japan to pair with your yakitori.

Sumibi Jidori Bishu Ayamuya

Open: 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: 6,000 JPY
Address: 5-17-39, Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (map)
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2. Shuto

Every night, Shuto is crowded with people on their way home from work. Their yakitori are made with chicken slaughtered in the morning, which skewered on-site before being grilled over binchotan (high-quality charcoal made from ubame oak). Their signature item is the [Seseri (150 JPY plus tax)] (neck sinew), whose charm lies in its overwhelming juiciness and crispy texture. It is recommended to have it with plain salt. Other than yakitori, their menu comprises of many à la carte items like [Karaage (500 JPY plus tax)] and [Creamy Ontama Potato Salad (420 JPY plus tax)]. There are plenty of drinks as well, including sake that the owner carefully picked. You'll find pretty rare brands as well!

Shuto

Open: 6:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:00 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 2F, First Bldg., 4-5-5, Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

3. Kushi Taku

Try this restaurant's original yakitori, made with a recipe perfected after 6 years of trial and error by the owner. They use Sanbai-dori (Sanbai chicken) directly delivered from Kagoshima. It's a breed of chicken that takes 3 times longer to raise than regular free-range chicken, but it has an incomparable flavor and chewy texture. You absolutely have to try the condensed umami of their [Kin no Tsukune (480 JPY)]. In addition to skewers made with various chicken parts, the [Sanbai-dori Otsukuri 5-kind Assortment (1,280 JPY)] is highly recommended as well. Enjoy your chicken together with sake or wine!

Kushi Taku

Open: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday, National Holidays
*Apart from sudden closures, it is also closed during the beginning and end of the year, Golden Week, and for part of the summer
Average price: 6,000 JPY
Address: 2F, East Shinsaibashi KM Bldg., 1-3-29, Higashi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

4. Banshu Jidori Genki

This restaurant uses ji-dori (local chicken) and fresh vegetables directly delivered from contracted farms. One of their popular dishes is the [Ji-dori Omakase 5-kushi (1,180 JPY)], which refers to the chef's recommended skewers of Banshu Hyakunichi-dori (Banshu Hyakunichi chicken) that's seared over charcoal. This is a breed of ji-dori with a moderately chewy texture. Alternatively, you could try their special soup made with ji-dori that’s been simmered for 3 days, the [White Soup Ji-dori Nabe (3,800 JPY)], which is loaded with collagen. To finish off your meal, you could try their ramen (noodles) or zosui (rice soup), which both use their flavorful chicken dashi (broth). They also have chicken sashimi, made with fresh ji-dori, and à la carte vegetable dishes prepared.

Banshu Jidori Genki

Open: [Weekdays] 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
[Saturday] 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: 5,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Umeshizu Bldg., 1-8-7, Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka ()

5. Up-Roar

Classic yakitori are skewered and grilled, but here, you can taste chicken that's been cut into bite-sized chunks and grilled on a shichirin (portable clay stove). You can order any part that you like, such as the breast, wings, and harami (meat from the diaphragm). They use Kishu Ume ji-dori (Kishu Ume chicken), which is a breed that has been fed plenty of plums. For thigh meat, they use chewy Kishu Aka-dori (Kishu Aka chicken), which can be distinguished by its slightly reddish meat. Why not try their [Otsukuri] (sashimi) made with fresh chicken slaughtered that morning?

Up-Roar

Open: [Sunday] 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)
[Tuesday - Saturday] 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)
Closed: Monday
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 1-2-6, Minami Hanadaguchi-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka
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6. Tori nabe Tei Matsuyamachi Branch

This restaurant's ingredients are stocked daily to maintain their dishes' freshness and quality. Their specialty is [Charcoal Yakitori], which involves carefully grilling chicken on binchotan. You can select from 2 different seasonings: a blend of rock salt and sun-dried salt, or their secret sauce. Depending on what they have in stock, you may find rare parts like [Tori Shirako (200 JPY)] (chicken testicles), [Hine Seseri (200 JPY)] (necks of Hine chicken), and [Kawachi-san Kamo Negi (200 JPY)] (chicken and scallions from Kawachi). A strongly recommended dish is the [Special Tori Nabe (1,280 JPY)], which is a hot pot with plenty of chicken and vegetables.

Tori nabe Tei Matsuyamachi Branch

Open: 5:30 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)
Closed: None
Average price: 2,500 JPY
Address: 1-1-14, Shimanouchi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

7. Cho Kisanji Kitahanada Branch

This restaurant, which is beloved by locals, is only a minute's walk from Kitahanada Station. Despite being a small restaurant, it's always crowded. They only use extremely fresh domestic chicken that's been slaughtered that day. This is what allows them to serve their [Sasami Tsukuri (430 JPY plus tax)]! Their [Yakitori] are slowly and carefully grilled on binchotan until they turn out tender and fragrant. You can season them either with the restaurant’s homemade sauce or just with salt. Their reasonable pricing is what makes them extremely popular. Plus, they have a rich menu of drinks that match divinely with their yakitori.

Cho Kisanji Kitahanada Branch

Open: 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (L.O. 1:30 am)
Closed: Monday
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 2-5-1, Kita Hanada-cho, Kita-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka

8. Rodan Awaza Branch

Here, you can enjoy jumbo-sized yakitori and Kyo-Yasai (traditional vegetables from Kyoto) directly delivered from farmers in Kyoto. Their large domestic chicken skewers are carefully grilled on binchotan, which makes them turn out tender, juicy, and tasty. Their special dipping sauce is slightly sweet. By letting it sit for an extended period of time, the sauce blends perfectly with the aroma of charcoal and chicken fat, creating a mild yet deep flavor. Alternatively, you can enjoy them with just salt. There are also lots of other à la carte dishes you can order. Cleanse your palate with [Namul], as well as other side dishes that use seasonal Kyo-Yasai. Don't forget to try their numerous cocktails!

Rodan Awaza Branch

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 3-7-14, Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

9. Sumiyakisho-ten Yo Horie Branch

Enjoy the wooden interior and cozy atmosphere of this restaurant, which serves excellent ji-dori and fresh seafood dishes. They use cuts of various breeds of chicken, such as Yamato-dori (Yamato chicken), Satsuma ji-dori (Satsuma chicken), and Poulet Noir. They are selected and used according to their individual qualities and can be eaten as sashimi. Their yakitori are carefully grilled over binchotan and can be ordered by the skewer to taste and compare the different flavors of each part. Moreover, they stock high-quality, fresh seafood from contracted fishermen, so their sashimi is highly recommended as well. You can pair your food with delicious sake chosen by the owner himself.

Sumiyakisho-ten Yo Horie Branch

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm - 5:00 am (Food L.O. 3:00 am, Drinks L.O. 4:30 am)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 780 JPY
Address: 2-16-14, Kita Horie, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

10. Torijiro Dotonbori Branch

The budget-friendly Torijiro chain has several restaurants in Japan, centered around Kansai, and offers all of its dishes at a set price of 270 JPY (plus tax). This is the branch in Dotonbori, which is one of Osaka's most popular sightseeing areas. Their extremely juicy yakitori are made with domestic chicken and are served piping hot. Their flagship dish is the large [Classic! Jumbo Jiro Momoyaki], which is 21 cm in length, with a weight of 90 g. Season it with their secret sauce or salt. You shouldn't miss their popular [Tebasaki Spice Yaki] (spicy chicken wings) either!

Torijiro Dotonbori Branch

Open: [Monday - Thursday, Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Food L.O. 1:00 am, Drinks L.O. 1:30 am)
[Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 5:00 am (Food L.O. 4:00 am, Drinks L.O. 4:30 am)
Closed: None
Average price: 1,900 JPY
Address: 4-5F, Bonchi Bldg., 1-10-7, Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

11. Mokkei

This restaurant specializes in chicken delicacies made with meat carefully selected by the chef. Its appeal is due to the performance of the staff grilling the chicken on charcoal. The chicken meat is left to age while still attached to the bone, which increases the umami of the meat. Many people repeatedly order their [Momo Sumibiyaki (1,000 JPY)], which is a luxurious example of their grilled aged meat. This allows you to savor the umami of chicken and the aroma of charcoal at the same time. Try their [Tori Mizutaki (1,800 JPY)], in which chicken bones are boiled for 4 hours on high heat to produce an umami-rich, thick soup.

Mokkei

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:30 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: B1F, Obunate Bldg., 1-8-14, Higashi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

12. Yakitori Yamato Kitashinchi

Head here to try [Faisandage] (aged chicken) made by a chef who is a chicken expert. Removing excess moisture from chicken and letting it sit for a certain amount of time remarkably increases its flavor profile. For example, the [Faisandage Poulet Noir Sashimi (1,200 JPY)] consists of thigh meat that's been aged for 4 - 5 days, then cut into 5 pieces and grilled. Seasoning it with black truffle salt will give you a strong flavor. If you're in the mood for a challenge, try the [Karasumi-style Cured Meat (500 JPY)], in which breast meat is marinated for 1 week in aged sake-kasu (sake lees), sliced, and then interposed with daikon (white radish). This is a process similar to how karasumi (salted mullet roe) is made.

Yakitori Yamato Kitashinchi

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30 pm (L.O. 1:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm) *Hanare on the 4th floor operates from 5:30 pm - 2:00 am (L.O. 1:00 am)
[Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm) *Hanare on the 4th floor operates from 5:30 pm - 2:00 am (L.O. 1:00 am)
Closed: Sunday *Closed during the New Year
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 5F, Dojima Merry Center Bldg., 1-3-16, Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

13. Miyabi

This restaurant is run by a chef from Fukuoka. As their meat is taken from chickens slaughtered that morning, it is extremely fresh and perfectly edible raw. Their yakitori taste even better! The freshness also means that they have many parts that can be used for otsukuri. A dish that you should definitely try is the [Hakata Mizutaki (1 serving costs 1,480 JPY)], in which chicken bones are simmered for 6 hours to create the broth. It allows you to enjoy the genuine flavors of Hakata, Fukuoka. Also, try the [Special Chicken Tonkotsu Ramen (780 JPY)]. Perfected after years of trial and error, the double soup in this ramen cleverly combines the rich flavor of tonkotsu (pork bones) with the refreshing taste of chicken. Many people repeatedly come back for this!

Miyabi

Open: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 2,500 JPY
Address: 103, 1F, Kiyomi Bldg., 2-8-4, Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

14. Ondoriya

This restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Korien Station. It is managed by a chicken butcher, so their chicken meat is always extremely fresh. Their menu is rich in dishes like yakitori, but they also serve unusual [Kushikatsu] (deep-fried skewered ingredients) and [Aburiyaki], which is cooked on an iron griddle. They even serve rare parts like [Kokoro Otoshi] (meat connecting the heart and liver) and [Ondori no Shirako] in limited quantities! Made with thigh and lean breast meat from Satsuma ji-dori and Tajima ji-dori (Tajima chicken), their [Tataki 3-kind Assortment (924 JPY)] has an incredible flavor that deepens after every bite. Their best-selling item is the thick and meaty [Homemade Hand-kneaded Momo Tsukune-gushi (189 JPY)] (meatball skewer made from chicken thigh meat).

Ondoriya

Open: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)
Closed: None *Has irregular closing days, and is also closed from January 1 - 3
Average price: 3,200 JPY
Address: 1F, Hidero Bldg., 33-16, Kori Minamino-cho, Neyagawa-shi, Osaka
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15. Toriya

A 3-minute walk from Mikuni Station, this restaurant offers charcoal-grilled yakitori made with super fresh ingredients. They use binchotan to make it tender and juicy. One recommended delicacy is their [Ji-dori Kagoyaki (525 JPY)] that consists of a luxurious amount of chicken thigh and breast meat that's been grilled in a basket. Their signature dish is the [Sashimi 2-kind Assortment (1,050 JPY)], which uses Hanao-dori (Hanao chicken) from Kagoshima. They also have lots of premium ji-zake (Japanese local alcohol) and shochu (another type of Japanese alcohol) on offer.

Toriya

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday *Open if the next day is a national holiday
Average price: 2,000 JPY
Address: 101, Espacio Mikuni Hon-machi, 3-28-11, Mikuni Hon-machi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Yakitori is a classic dish that you'll spot at any izakaya's menu. There are so many different types and flavors, which depend on the cuts of meat chosen by the chef. Make sure you try them all!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.