Yakitori Guide: Skewers, Styles, and Best Bars in Tokyo

Yakitori (焼き鳥) — literally "grilled bird" — is Japan's most beloved drinking food. Tiny skewers of chicken grilled over binchōtan charcoal, seasoned with either tare (sweet soy glaze) or shio (salt), served alongside cold beer at smoky, intimate counter bars. It's the quintessential Japanese izakaya experience.

How Yakitori Works

The Basics

• Meat: Primarily chicken (but occasionally pork, beef, or vegetables)
• Cooking: Grilled over white binchōtan charcoal (備長炭) at extremely high heat
• Seasoning: Two styles — tare (タレ, sweet soy sauce) or shio (塩, salt)
• Serving: Skewers arrive in batches, 2–4 at a time

Tare vs Shio

Pro tip: Some shops let you choose tare or shio for each order. Ask "タレと塩、どちらがいいですか？" (Tare to shio, dochira ga ii desu ka?) — "Which is better, tare or shio?"

Chicken Parts Used in Yakitori

Yakitori uses the whole chicken — every part has its own character:

Yakitori Set Menu (定食)

Many shops offer a set menu (omakase) that includes the chef's selection:

Best Yakitori Spots

Tokyo

Osaka

Kyoto

How to Order

Step 1: Order Drinks First

Yakitori is drinking food. Start with:

• ビール (bīru): Beer — the classic pairing
• ハイボール (haibōru): Whisky highball — refreshing with grilled meat
• 酎ハイ (chūhai): Shochu highball — various flavors
• 日本酒 (nihonshu): Sake — pairs beautifully with yakitori

Step 2: Order Skewers

Start with the basics and explore:

Recommended Order for First-Timers:

1. Negima (ねぎま) — the classic, can't go wrong
2. Momo (もも) — juicy thigh meat
3. Tsukune (つくね) — chicken meatball, often with egg
4. Kawa (皮) — crispy skin
5. Tebasaki (手羽先) — wings
6. Reba (レバー) — if you're adventurous

Step 3: Add Sides

• Chāhan (チャーハン): Fried rice — filling and delicious
• Moyashi (もやし): Bean sprouts — light and refreshing
• Daikon Oroshi (大根おろし): Grated radish — palate cleanser
• Tamagoyaki (卵焼き): Rolled egg — sweet and savory

Yakitori Etiquette

Do's

• ✅ Say "tadaima" (ただいま) when entering — it means "I'm home"
• ✅ Order drinks first, then food
• ✅ Eat skewers directly from the stick
• ✅ Use the small dish of salt if provided
• ✅ Say "gochisōsama deshita" (ごちそうさまでした) when leaving

Don'ts

• ❌ Don't blow on hot skewers — let them cool naturally
• ❌ Don't put used sticks on the table — use the provided holder
• ❌ Don't order too many at once — they come in batches
• ❌ Don't be loud — yakitori-ya are intimate spaces
• ❌ Don't leave food on your plate — order what you can eat

Japanese Phrases

Budget Guide

Tips for First-Timers

1. Go early — popular shops fill up fast; arrive before 7 PM
2. Sit at the counter — watch the chef work, it's part of the experience
3. Try everything — chicken heart, gizzard, and skin are delicious
4. Drink beer — it's the traditional pairing for a reason
5. Don't be shy — point at what others are eating if you can't read Japanese
6. Ask for the omakase — let the chef choose for the best experience
7. Visit Yakitori Alley — Shinjuku's atmospheric alley of small yakitori shops

Related Articles

• Best Izakaya Food: 20 Dishes to Order
• Japanese Food Vocabulary
• Tokyo Nightlife Guide
• Japanese Convenience Store Guide