Tucked away on Spain-Zaka (Spanish Hill) in Tokyo’s Shibuya district is “BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON” (pronounced ‘bichūya chōzaemon’), a restaurant that feels like a cozy, well-kept secret. The restaurant radiates an old-world charm and specializes in yakitori (skewered chicken dishes), grilled to perfection over binchōtan, a type of high-quality white charcoal made from ubame oak.
Popular at lunchtime: “Nama Oyakodon” made with Ōshū Iwaidori chicken
A crowd-favorite during lunchtime is the “Ōshū Iwaidori Chicken Nama Oyakodon Set.” Unlike the standard oyakodon, a rice bowl containing cooked chicken and egg, the BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON version is labeled nama, which means it uses raw egg and chicken sashimi.
The raw egg is an “Okukuji Egg” from Ibaraki Prefecture, known for its particularly rich yolk.
“奥州 いわい鶏 生親子丼御膳,” Ōshū Iwaidori Chicken Nama Oyakodon Set 1,100 JPY (tax included)
The dish includes three types of chicken: lightly seared sasami (chicken breast tenderloin) sashimi, Ōshū Iwaidori chicken thigh meat grilled over charcoal, and soboro, a seasoned blend of ground chicken, with added cartilage. You’ll surely relish the varying textures of chicken laid atop the rice!
The slightly sweet sauce drizzled over the nama oyakodon is the same sauce used for their yakitori. It not only pairs excellently with the charcoal-grilled thigh meat but also complements the sasami sashimi and ground chicken.
Enjoying the sashimi with the rich yolk and the sauce intensifies the umami flavors of the chicken, enhancing your experience.
The idea of eating chicken sashimi might sound exotic, or even risky, to those unfamiliar with Japanese culinary traditions. It’s a specialty found mostly in specific regions of Japan, such as Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures.
Rest assured, though. When you dine at BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON, the raw chicken served has been meticulously sourced and processed for safe raw consumption. The restaurant collaborates with trusted food companies specializing in the preparation of chicken, meeting rigorous safety standards for raw dishes. So you can savor this unique culinary experience with complete peace of mind.
Charmed by a rice bowl made with charcoal-grilled top-grade Chami Pork
At BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON, you can not only enjoy local chicken dishes but also dishes featuring “Charming Ton” (Chami Pork) from Kagoshima Prefecture. What sets this brand of pork apart is that the pigs are raised on a diet mixed with tea leaves, which eliminates the typical pork smell. This results in pork that has a clean, non-greasy fat content while still being rich in flavor. It’s often referred to as “the highest-grade white pork.”
You can also enjoy dishes made with Chami Pork at At BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON
The “Charcoal-Grilled Chami Ton Rice Bowl,” a signature dish on the lunch menu, is made with this premium pork brand. The scrumptious Chami Pork is slowly grilled over charcoal, for a delicious taste, ensuring that you’ll finish your rice in no time. The meat’s surprising tenderness comes through with each bite, captivating the senses with a smoky aroma unique to charcoal-grilling. Rounding out the dish’s allure is a slightly sweet sauce that is quite addictive.
“茶美豚 炭火焼丼,” Charcoal-Grilled Charming Ton Rice Bowl 1,200 JPY (tax included)
As a delightful bonus, it comes with free rice refills, so you can feast on this delicious rice bowl to your heart’s content.
Dinner courses let you savor local chicken and premium pork!
For dinner time, BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON offers course menus featuring skewers of Ōshū Iwaidori chicken and Chami Pork. Highly recommended is the “Seasonal Appetizers and Skewers Course,” which also includes a mini-size Nama Oyakodon.
“季節の前菜と串コース,” Seasonal Appetizers and Skewers Course (photo shows portion for two) 3,580 JPY per person (tax included)
The appetizers consist of three types: “Simmered Pork,” “Chicken Meatball Soup,” and an “Assortment of Dishes Smoked In-House.” The cheese paired with their house mustard, and the smoked Ōshū Iwaidori chicken are standouts. The simmered pork is tender enough to pull apart with chopsticks and has a sweet-salty profile, making it an excellent companion to alcoholic beverages.
“茶美豚の角煮,” Simmered Pork
The set of five skewers includes tasty selections such as “Shio Kōji Sasami” (shio kōji being a condiment made with koji rice culture and salt) and “Stuffed Chicken Wings” (stuffed with minced chicken). All grilled over charcoal, these skewers offer crispy textures and juicy flavors. Moreover, the “Pork Belly with Harissa” skewer is irresistible, with just the right amount of spice.
Grilled with binchōtan charcoal
In addition to chicken and pork skewers, the restaurant also offer skewers featuring seasonal fruits. As of September 2023, grilled mandarin oranges were on the menu.
The grilled mandarin oranges come topped with balsamic vinegar and corned beef. The grilling amplifies the fruit’s sweetness, and its smokiness adds a delightful touch.
“季節の果実（焼きミカン）,” Seasonal Fruit (Grilled Mandarin Orange)
BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON also offers a diverse selection of wines. A sommelier handpicks wines imported all the way from Italy to pair well with their charcoal-grilled and skewered dishes. You can enjoy these delicious wines at reasonable prices.
Whether you visit for lunch or dinner, you’ll find that each mealtime offers its own set of special delights. Don’t miss the chance to experience their finest charcoal-grilled skewers—each moment at BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON is a culinary journey worth taking.
Information
| Store name | 備中屋長左衛門 BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON |
|---|---|
| Address | 2F 16-12 Udagawa-chō, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Shibuya Station（SBY）3-minute walk from Shibuya Station Exit A2
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| Phone | 050-5570-9362 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone, Tabelog |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | Service charge (including otōshi) 330 JPY (tax included) No charge at lunch or when ordering course meals |
| Hours | 11:30-23:00（last order: food 22:00 drinks 22:30） |
| Closed | No holidays |
| Seating | 52 seats 8 counter seats, 32 table seats, 12 private dining room seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking A smoking room is available |
| Official website | https://bityuya.jp/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of October 2023.
