Yakitori (chicken skewers) is one of the most essential dishes to the izakaya (Japanese pubs) experience.
Just imagine biting into skewers of golden-grilled chicken, savoring the umami and juices as you wash it down with beer.
For over 60 years, “Toritake” has preserved this food culture in the competitive dining area in front of Shibuya Station.
“やき鳥盛り合わせ５本,” Yakitori 5 Skewer Assortment 2,000 JPY (tax included)
Huge satisfying yakitori enhanced by a secret sauce!
The scenes at Toritake have remained unchanged over that span: skilled chefs constantly moving their hands in front of the grill, the aroma of charcoal wafting with the smoke, and many customers gathering at the restaurant.
While the Dōgenzaka area in Shibuya has constantly changed with time, this atmosphere created by Toritake remains the same.
Toritake’s signboard is even regarded as a landmark of the area
The must-try specialty at Toritake is their “Yakitori 5 Skewer Assortment.”
It includes their juicy “Yakitori” with chicken thigh and breast sandwiching green onion, “Torikimo” (liver and heart) with a unique, addictive taste, “Tsukune” (minced chicken meat mixed with various vegetables), “Teba” (a luxurious combination of two parts of chicken wings), and simply grilled fresh green peppers.
The highlight of Toritake’s yakitori is the size of the chicken. Each skewer weighs about 85 grams—roughly 1.5 times larger than standard yakitori—making it incredibly filling!
It’s no wonder that customers have been coming back for decades, even with so many yakitori shops in Tokyo.
Not only are the chicken portions generous, but the restaurant also prioritizes freshness. At Toritake, they receive fresh chicken daily from suppliers, which the chefs then break down and skewer by hand, one piece at a time.
It’s not just about cutting and skewering; the chefs carefully skewer the meat in a way that cuts through the fibers to create a tender texture.
Above all, it’s the shop’s original sauce that enhances the umami of the chicken. The sauce—maintained since the restaurant’s founding through tsugitashi, a method where fresh sauce is continuously added to the existing base, enhancing its flavor over time—has a truly unique flavor.
To preserve the taste of this sauce, the restaurant continued grilling yakitori daily, even when they had to close during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This sauce, a constant at the restaurant, concentrates over 60 years of umami.
Unadon overflowing with rich and fatty flavor
Yakitori, simple as it may seem, is a profound dish. Only skilled chefs can grill it to perfection.
The same is true for eel. Grilled freshwater eel (unagi) with sweet and savory sauce has long been eaten as a luxurious, energy-boosting food.
At Toritake, you can enjoy not only yakitori but also eel cuisine.
“うな丼（中）,” Unadon (medium) 4,957 JPY (tax included) *the price may vary depending on the day
They select only thick cuts of unagi, ensuring the meat is fluffy and the surface is grilled to a crispy finish.
The owner says they take special care to make sure the eel is in perfect condition by the time it reaches the customer’s mouth.
The “Unadon” (an unagi rice bowl) is a perfect match between the unagi and rice—simply exquisite. The sauce, which has been perfected over generations, really enhances the flavor, making you want to eat more.
Try sprinkling some sanshō (Japanese pepper), provided on each table, for a refreshing spiciness. For those unfamiliar, it’s recommended to add it little by little.
The unadon comes with kimosui (a clear soup made with eel liver) and pickles and is available in three sizes, with prices varying by season.
The “Chicken Hot Pot” warms you to the core with rich chicken broth flavor
During the colder months of autumn and winter, the “Chicken Hot Pot” is a popular choice. A portable stove is set up at your table, and you cook it yourself.
This chicken sukiyaki includes thigh and breast meat, along with various ingredients like Chinese cabbage, white leek, chrysanthemum greens, enoki mushrooms, shirataki noodles, and tofu.
“鳥なべ,” Chicken Hot Pot 1,500 JPY (tax included)
While typical sukiyaki broth is mainly soy sauce and sugar based, Toritake adds chicken bone broth to complement the chicken meat. Their attention to detail in bringing out the chicken’s umami is a big reason why it’s loved by so many people.
When the chicken changes color and develops a glossy sheen with an appetizing aroma, that’s when you know it’s ready to eat! Dip it into a fresh, beaten egg for a rich and mild flavor combination that is sure to warm you to the core.
Since the chicken is well-seasoned, it’s also delicious without dipping it into the beaten egg.
After finishing the ingredients, it’s recommended to order rice or udon noodles to end the meal. Simmering rice or udon in the broth that has absorbed the chicken’s umami allows you to fully enjoy the dish to the very end.
Although Chicken Hot Pot is especially popular during the colder seasons, it’s available year-round. It’s also great to enjoy in the heat of summer.
Enjoy a variety of drinks, from beer to sake!
Toritake also offers a wide variety of other dishes, including juicy karaage (Japanese fried chicken) prepared upon order, simmered dishes, aemono (dishes dressed with miso, salad dressing or other sauces), and various side dishes.
Another charm of the restaurant is its extensive drink menu, which pairs perfectly with the food.
Beer, Japanese highballs (whisky and soda, popular among young Japanese people), and Japanese sours (made with shōchū and soda) pair well with yakitori and fried foods.
When it comes to hot pot and simmered dishes, sake is the drink of choice.
Sake offers a variety of flavors and aromas depending on whether it’s served cold, at room temperature, or warm, so be sure to explore the options!
“日本酒,” Sake from 360 JPY (tax included)
Foreign-language menus make the restaurant very welcoming to tourists
The fourth-generation owner of Toritake says, “Although we are a casual izakaya, we strive to provide quality food that our customers can enjoy.”
The hospitality and flavors of Toritake captivate both Japanese and international diners. With menus available in English, Chinese, and Korean, guests of many nationalities can comfortably enjoy the experience.
Why not experience the authentic and refined atmosphere of a traditional Japanese izakaya at this wonderful establishment?
Information
| Store name | 鳥竹総本店 Toritake |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-6-1 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Shibuya Station（SBY） Short-walk from Shibuya Station West Exit
Shibuya Station（SBY） 3-minute walk from Hachiko Exit
|
| Phone number | 03-3461-1627 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | Service charge (including otōshi) 198 JPY (tax included) no charge when ordering soft drinks |
| Hours | 12:00-23:00（last order 22:00） |
| Closed | No holidays |
| Seating | 90 seats 10 counter seats, 50 table seats, 40 tatami room seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://toritake.jp |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of October 2024.
