In Japan, casual dining establishments with the purpose of enjoying food while drinking are known as izakaya.
When it comes to classic dishes enjoyed at izakaya, yakitori, grilled chicken skewers, take the spotlight.
For overseas visitors who want to get a full-on Japanese izakaya experience, one restaurant we would like to recommend is “Ueno Torifuku (referred to hereafter as “Torifuku”).”
Torifuku is a specialized chicken cuisine restaurant where you can indulge in not just yakitori but also a variety of delightful dishes.
Be sure to order salted yakitori if you want to savor the skewer’s natural deliciousness!
When visiting Torifuku, ordering the yakitori is a must.
Every single skewer is meticulously grilled by skilled chefs at the grilling station within the restaurant.
The chicken used for the yakitori is carefully selected from premium domestic breeds.
Because of the chicken’s natural flavor, it’s recommended to enjoy the yakitori with a simple seasoning of just salt.
The salt allows the juicy and savory taste of the chicken to shine through.
“Recommended 5-types-of-skewers Platter (from left to right, chicken skin, chicken tail, negima, toritoro, chicken gizzard) 980 JPY (tax included)
At Torifuku, you can find not only standard yakitori varieties like negima (chicken interspersed with green onion) and tsukune (chicken meatballs), but also a rare cut called toritoro (fatty chicken).
Toritoro is particularly rich in fat, offering a tender texture compared to other cuts. When you take a bite, you’ll experience a burst of umami spreading in your mouth.
“鶏とろ,” Toritoro à la carte 220 JPY (tax included)
A striking sight to behold! The restaurant’s “Famous Torifuku-yaki!”
After you’ve enjoyed the classic yakitori experience at this Japanese-style izakaya, be sure to indulge in the unique and original dishes that Torifuku has to offer.
The “Famous Torifuku-yaki” is a dish where bone-in chicken thigh is oven-baked with a special spicy sauce.
“名物・鳥福焼き,” Famous Torifuku-yaki 1,280 JPY (tax included)
Beyond its visual impact, the key to the dish lies in the specially blended spice powder and sauce used to bring out the spiciness.
The spice powder blend includes over 20 different spices such as garam masala and cayenne pepper.
First, the chicken thigh is baked in the oven with only this spice powder for about 15 minutes
Then, after checking the doneness, a curry-flavored sauce is poured over, and the dish is baked again to perfection.
Served piping hot, the freshly made Famous Torifuku-yaki fills the air with the enticing aroma of curry.
Due to the slow oven-cooking process, the chicken thigh has a wonderfully tender texture. The sauce offers a robust spiciness, complemented by the impactful spice powder blend.
Enjoy it heartily while it’s nice and hot!
A rare delight when visiting Japan! Take on the challenge of “Chicken Sashimi.”
After experiencing the bold flavors of the Famous Torifuku-yaki, the next dish you should consider ordering is the “Chicken Sashimi.”
“むね刺し,” Chicken Breast Sashimi 780 JPY (tax included)
Torifuku offers three types of chicken sashimi using chicken breast, thigh, and tenderloin.
The chicken is gently prepared by being warmed in 70-degree water, ensuring that it’s safe to eat as it cooks through to the center.
At the time of our visit, the chicken breast sashimi had a pleasantly plump and satisfying texture.
While chicken can become dry when cooked, the slow and meticulous preparation here maintains its tenderness.
The seasoning is kept simple with just sesame oil and salt. The addition of sliced garlic as a topping enhances the flavor, leaving a lingering and enjoyable taste.
The “White Chicken Broth Salt Ramen” is the perfect way to end your meal
To wrap up your meal at Torifuku, why not try the “White Chicken Broth Salt Ramen?”
“鶏白湯塩ラーメン,” White Chicken Broth Salt Ramen 880 JPY (tax included)
Even if you’ve enjoyed a variety of dishes, the light and refreshing flavor of the soup will keep you from putting down your chopsticks just yet.
The soup, seasoned with a salt-based sauce, offers a rich flavor without being too heavy on the palate.
The toppings for the ramen are simple, consisting of green onions, fried onions, and a seasoned boiled egg.
Thin noodles are used, allowing them to absorb the soup well. They aren’t as voluminous as thick noodles, making them a perfect choice to conclude your meal without feeling overly full.
Torifuku has a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere
Torifuku is right in front of Ueno Station, located on the third floor of a building, offering a view of Ueno’s streets from its windows.
The interior features a unified design with wooden walls and tables, creating a tranquil atmosphere
Torifuku’s interior
While there are table seats available, the counter seats are highly recommended. You can watch the skilled chefs grilling chicken skewers right in front of you.
Torifuku provides a taste of Japan with classic izakaya dishes like yakitori and the rare delicacies such as their Chicken Sashimi.
With a variety of chicken dishes to get your drinks and conversations flowing, Torifuku in Ueno offers the perfect setting for an authentic izakaya experience.
Information
| Store name | 上野 鳥福 Ueno Torifuku |
|---|---|
| Address | Delicious Plaza Building 3F, 6-14-7 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Ueno Station（UEN） 1-minute walk from Ueno Station Hirokoji Exit
Keisei Ueno Station 3-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station Main Exit
|
| Phone number | 03-3835-4822 |
| Reservations | Accepted Official website, Phone, Tabelog, GURUNAVI, Hot Pepper Gourmet, Reserve with Google |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | Service charge (including otōshi) 450 JPY (tax included) |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 17:00-23:00（last order 22:00） Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays 14:00-23:00（last order 22:00） |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 51 seats 11 counter seats, 40 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/torifuku-ueno/reserve |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of February 2024.
