A beloved dish in Japan, yakitori, or skewered grilled chicken, is enjoyed by adults and children alike. Available at many taverns as well as specialty shops, it attracts a large number of customers.
Neslted in the busy Shinjuku neighborhood of Tokyo, “Shinjuku Imaiya Honten” serves yakitori using Hinai chicken from Akita Prefecture. This free-range brand chicken is known for its firm texture and sweet fat. The skewers are grilled over binchōtan charcoal, a type of high-quality white charcoal made from ubame oak, offering a juicy and premium taste.
Can’t decide? Try the Popular “Omakase 5 Skewers”
The “Omakase 5 Skewers” set features popular yakitori varieties chosen based on what’s available that day. On the day of our visit, it included salt-seasoned negima (usually chicken meat interspersed with Japanese bunching onion, or negi), dakimi (chicken breast wrapped in chicken skin), sunagimo (chicken gizzards), and hand-kneaded tegone tsukune (seasoned minced chicken sticks) with a sweet and salty soy-based sauce.
“おまかせ 五本,” Omakase 5 Skewers 2,800 JPY (tax included)
Their negima is an easy way to enjoy the flavor of Hinai chicken. The restaurant skewers thigh meat, negi, breast meat, negi, and then thigh meat again, allowing you to appreaciate the different textures of the meats. The sweetness of negi and the perfect seasoning enhanced the umami of Hinai chicken.
Negima
Their dakimi featuring aged breast meat wrapped in chicken skin offers a superb texture. The softness of the breast meat combined with the crisply grilled skin is a perfect match.
“むねと皮の抱身,” Dakimi chicken breast wrapped in chicken skin
Sunagimo (chicken gizzards) are known for their unique crunchy texture. Savor their subtle sweetness enhanced by a touch of salt.
Sunagimo chicken gizzards
You can choose one of three toppings for sasami (chicken breast): wasabi, plum, or yuzu koshō, a Japanese condiment made with yuzu citrus and chili pepper.
During our visit, we chose the spicy yuzu kosho, which added a perfect kick to the refreshingly light sasami. The sasami is grilled over charcoal just enough to sear the surface, resulting in a tender and moist texture.
Sasami chicken breast
The hand-kneaded tegone tsukune at Shinjuku Imaiya Honten is a must-try, with its fluffy texture and flavor packed with the umami of Hinai chicken. It’s even more delicious when dipped in plenty of egg yolk.
Tegone tsukune
Don’t forget to pair your Omakase 5 Skewers with a selection of shochu or sake from across Japan for a perfect match!
Indulge in the soft sweetness of “Kuroge Wagyū Skewer with Kyushu Sweet Soy Sauce and Wasabi”
In addition to Hinai chicken, the restaurant also offers skewers of Kuroge wagyū beef. The “Kuroge Wagyu Skewer with Kyushu Sweet Soy Sauce and Wasabi” is made with carefully selected wagyu.
“黒毛和牛串 ～九州甘口醤油 山葵～,” Kuroge Wagyu Skewer with Kyushu Sweet Soy Sauce and Wasabi 1,800 JPY (tax included)
The meat is incredibly tender and melts in your mouth. When eaten with sweet soy sauce and wasabi, the sweetness of the wagyu beef is even more pronounced.
Of course, it pairs wonderfully with alcohol. If you’re in the mood for some meat other than chicken, this is highly recommended.
“Hinai Chicken Oyakodon Rice Bowl with Chicken Broth Miso Soup”: Hearty yet easy to finish!
A popular menu item at Shinjuku Imaiya Honten is the “Hinai Chicken Oyakodon Rice Bowl with Chicken Broth Miso Soup.” This oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) makes generous use of Hinai chicken, allowing you to fully savor the meat’s umami.
“比内地鶏の親子丼 ～鶏ガラ味噌汁付き～,” Hinai Chicken Oyakodon Rice Bowl with Chicken Broth Miso Soup 1,380 JPY (tax included)
The rice bowl is seasoned with chicken broth made from Hinai chicken. Its light flavor makes it irresistible, even when you’re full. It’s also the perfect dish to enjoy as the last course after drinks.
The key to achieving the rice bowl’s irresistable flavor is grilling the Hinai chicken before cutting it. Charcoal-grilling makes the skin crispy and the inside soft and juicy. The charcoal aroma is also a special touch.
Charcoal-grilling Hinai chicken
Shinjuku Imaiya Honten offers more than just the dishes introduced here. They also serve a variety of dishes using Hinai chicken, including hot pots and fried chicken. When you’re craving delicious chicken dishes in Shinjuku, Tokyo, be sure to stop by for a meal!
Information
| Store name | 新宿 今井屋本店 Shinjuku Imaiya Honten |
|---|---|
| Address | Shinjuku Moliere Building B1, 3-33-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Shinjuku-Sanchōme Station 2-minute walk from Exit A5
Shinjuku Station（SJK） 4-minute walk from Shinjuku Station South Exit
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| Phone number | 03-5363-1155 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone, Official website, Tabelog, GURUNAVI, Ikyu Restraurant, Hot Pepper Gourmet, OZmall, Retty, Hitosara |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | Table charge 630 JPY (tax included) Only when ordering à la carte |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. & days preceding nat’l holidays 17:00-23:00（last order 22:00） Sat., Sun. & Nat’l holidays 11:30-14:30（last order 14:00）, 17:00-23:00（last order 22:00） |
| Closed | New Year’s holidays（12/31-1/2） |
| Seating | 92 seats 6 counter seats, 62 table seats, 24 private dining room seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking Smoking room available |
| Official website | https://www.dd-holdings.jp/shops/imaiyahonten/shinjyuku#/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of April 2024.
