Tokyo’s Best Yakitori Restaurants! Where To Find The Tastiest Chicken Skewers

Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is a classic Japanese dish that brings out the simple, rich flavors of charcoal-grilled chicken. Whether seasoned with salt or coated in savory tare sauce, these skewers are a culinary cornerstone of any Japanese pub visit.

In this article, we’ll explore some of Tokyo’s top yakitori spots, where you can enjoy this beloved dish in its finest form!

Rare yakitori and classic skewers in Ueno: Torifuku

The Ueno area of Tokyo is known for its wide range of izakaya (Japanese pubs), and “Ueno Torifuku” is a great place to get the quintessential izakaya experience along with absolutely delicious yakitori.

Ueno Torifuku specializes in all types of chicken cuisine, but their yakitori is a must-try. Diners can enjoy classics like negima (chicken interspersed with green onion) and tsukune (chicken meatballs), but also a rare cut called toritoro (fatty chicken).

The toritoro is particularly recommended. This rare fatty skewer is bursting with umami, offering a unique yakitori experience. Because of the carefully selected high quality chicken at the restaurant, it is recommended to go for a simple salt seasoning to let the chicken’s natural flavor shine through.

The restaurant also offers other chicken delicacies like chicken sashimi and chicken-based ramen, so be sure to try out Ueno Torifuku for a varied and delicious izakaya menu!

All-you-can-drink and delicious yakitori in Shinjuku: Yakitori Marukin

If you’re looking for yakitori and drinks on a budget, “Yakitori Marukin Shinjuku Honten” is the place for you! They offer a unique self-serve all-you-can-drink system with over 70 types of drinks on the menu. Pair them with some delicious yakitori for a great night on the town!

The restaurant uses smaller cuts of meat so you can eat them in a couple bites right off the skewer. Their selection of flavored tsukune yakitori is highly recommended, as you can enjoy this popular type of yakitori in flavors not commonly available.

Be sure to try their famous garlic tare dipping sauce (no double-dipping!) and coat your skewer with a rich combination of garlic and tamari soy sauce that will have you craving more!

Don’t miss Yakitori Marukin Shinjuku Honten for a great combination of yakitori and drinks.

Yakitori with a side of chicken sashimi in Shibuya: BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON

One great thing about yakitori restaurants is that many also offer other types of tasty chicken cuisine. Located in Shibuya, “BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON” serves up not only delicious skewers, but also a wide range of exquisite chicken dishes.

This diverse menu is highlighted by a lunchtime favorite at the restaurant, the “Ōshū Iwaidori Chicken Nama Oyakodon Set.” This take on oyakodon, a popular rice bowl featuring chicken in egg, uses chicken sashimi and a raw egg.

The chicken used as sashimi in this bowl has been meticulously selected and prepared for safe raw consumption, so you can enjoy it with confidence. Three types of chicken are used, and the sauce drizzled over the dish is the same as that used in the restaurant’s yakitori. Mixing up these chicken sashimi slices with the egg and sauce unlocks a refreshing but umami-packed combination of flavors.

For a restaurant that explores delicious chicken cuisine beyond yakitori, be sure to stop by BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON in Shibuya.

Delicious yakitori course in Roppongi: YAKITORI MOE

It’s easy to see why a visit to the popular “YAKITORI MOE” in Roppongi often requires a reservation. Their huge yakitori menu has something for everyone, and course options where you can let the chef decide which signature skewers you should try.

If you’re ordering à la carte, one must-try option is the tsukune. This chicken meatball skewer is grilled with a sweet and savory sauce, and served with Maximum Koitamago brand egg yolk. Mixing the sauce and yolk together unlocks a rich sweetness you won’t soon forget!

The restaurant has three course options: a six-skewer course, a ten-skewer course, and the Moe course, which includes seven skewers, appetizers, and dessert. These are a good way to try out a lot of recommended yakitori at once, particularly if you’re unsure about what to order.

Head to YAKITORI MOE in Roppongi, where the number of yakitori options will definitely leave you full and satisfied!

Premium chicken skewers in Shinjuku: Shinjuku Imaiya Honten

Yakitori can often seem like a simple snack, but they often pack immense flavor with quality ingredients. That is on full display at “Shinjuku Imaiya Honten” in Shinjuku. This Shinjuku restaurant serves yakitori using Hinai chicken, a free range chicken that is known for its firm texture and sweet fat. The skewers here have a taste on par with high-level gourmet cuisine!

One skewer that shows off this dedication to high quality yakitori is the restaurant’s dakimi (chicken breast wrapped in chicken skin). Shinjuku Imaiya Honten’s dakimi uses aged chicken breast meat wrapped in chicken skin. This provides a delightful contrast of crispy and crunchy chicken skin exterior and soft, succulent chicken breast on the inside.

The restaurant also serves an omakase set with some of their most popular yakitori that is perfect for first-timers. It’s highly recommended to use some of the accompanying spicy yuzu koshō, a Japanese condiment made with yuzu citrus and chili pepper. This condiment adds a citrusy but spicy accent that really brings out the natural flavor of the chicken.

For a good look at how yakitori can reach the heights of fine dining, be sure to head to Shinjuku Imaiya Honten during your stay in Japan.