JapanChevron TokyoChevron ChevronChevronPhotosSave this storySaveSave this storySavecuisine Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.The first thing you notice when you slide open the door to this yakitori specialist, plonked beneath a highway overpass in Shirokane, is the hiss and pop of succulent chicken pieces slow-roasting over binchotan charcoal embers. The open-kitchen interior is fairly basic, with two charcoal grills and several black stools around the counter. The menu, however, is not. On any given day, there are up to 40 chicken parts for diners to choose from. What was the crowd like?The compact space means you’ll be rubbing elbows with your fellow diners, but the informal atmosphere creates the kind of cozy camaraderie that comes from reaching over your neighbor for the menu. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo Situated directly under a highway overpass in Shirokane, Toritama doesn’t boast the most glamorous of locations. However, this has not stopped it from being awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand or from becoming one of the city’s hardest-to-book yakitori joints. In fact, there are now three Toritama branches in Tokyo, plus one each in Hong Kong and Singapore. What makes it stand out is the extensive menu. Most yakitori restaurants grill standard parts like breast, thigh, heart, wings, gizzard and liver, but Toritama rolls out a menu of over 30 parts – plus the daily ‘secret menu’ of rare cuts, which brings the total up to 40. That’s a lot of chicken, and you’d need to be quite the anatomy expert to name them all on the fly. Sourced daily, the chicken is always as fresh as it gets, so those looking to try it raw can feel safe here. The breast meat only kisses the grill for a slight hint of colour before being served with wasabi and topped with seaweed.  facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Today's print edition Home Delivery There are only two fail-safe ways to get through a Tokyo heatwave summer especially when matched with good yakitori this well loved yakitoriya has three branches to choose from Each has been around long enough to have developed its own distinct character and enthusiastic following it is still the original restaurant (Toritama Honkan) on the intersection between Ebisu and Shirokane that they think of first.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Tucked in self-effacingly under an expressway overpass and too far from the nearest station to contemplate walking there at any time of year it is certainly not the ritziest or most convenient locale when Toritama first opened some two decades ago the area was so down-at-heel it felt like walking off the map And therein lay much of its cachet: It was a place for those in the know In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Since the establishment of the first Toritama in Tokyo in 1999 this skewered chicken restaurant and bar chain has opened branches across Asia and won numerous honors including four Michelin Bib Gourmand awards The chain specializes in grilling up every part of a chicken you can imagine there are 40 different chicken skewers that can be ordered the head chef at Toritama’s newest location – a Guangzhou branch on Tianhe Dong Lu When we pop into the chain’s new Tianhe haunt Chef Jun is busy heating up a spread of white charcoal which can reach temperatures as high as 600 degrees Celsius The secret to grilling up a mean batch of chicken skewers is to expose the meat to the heat – not the flames The former helps seal the original flavors in the chicken flesh and Jun would know – having worked at the Tokyo Toritama Jun is something of a chicken skewer maven The momo uses what is arguably the best poultry part and comes with a seven-ingredient dip known as shichimi while the meatball is elevated by the addition of gristly chicken parts Another hot order is the chicken intestine (RMB25) which comes with eggs attached and is apparently in limited supply While Toritama’s skewer offerings are undoubtedly tasty and extensive you won’t sate your appetite on meat sticks alone we recommend sampling the establishment’s minced meat and chicken skewer on rice (RMB65) whose flavor is balanced by the addition of nori and a half-cooked egg consider diving into Toritama’s drink menu A pro tip before we wrap this up: remove the chicken meat from the skewer before eating it as eating off the stick is frowned upon in the Japanese culinary tradition.  the venue is already swarmed with enthusiastic customers who are seated at one of the intimate location’s 18 seats while chatty customers make the space feel welcome.  Price: RMB200 Who’s going: Guangzhou’s Japanese community culinary cosmonauts Good for: testicle-lovin’ diners Michelin-quality chicken skewersNearest metro: Shipaiqiao (Exit D) Open daily, 5.30-10pm; see listing for Toritama Scan our QR Code at right or follow us at ThatsGuangzhou for events Weekly updates to your email inbox every Wednesday Subscribe Visit the archives © 2025 JY International Cultural Communications Co., Ltd. 粤ICP备20064570号 2011Save this storySaveSave this storySave1/111 Best Breakfast: Aloe Vera Yogurt from 7-Eleven "This is definitely not what you'd expect from the U.S The service at 7-Elevens in Tokyo is super professional and the food is quite good: Think steamed tofu instead of hot dogs It has a wonderful texture and it's so soothing." Photo: Courtesy of David Myers Group2/11The chef: David Myers Known for: His breakout Michelin-starred L.A Tokyo in his words: "Tokyo is a hype city out of a sci-fi novel It's one of those cities where you can have anything you want but it's also a place where everything's hidden Go for: "The ultimate drinking culture and a service experience in restaurants and bars that's on another level." 3-4-7 Yakumo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 03-5731-1630; higashiya.com "Higashiya has an amazing selection of teas but it's all about experiencing the preparation here The counter was specifically made for serving tea and the bartenders have jeweler-like precision when it comes to brewing it Photo: John Mahoney/flickr.com/lookatmyhair4/11**3 7-14-18 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 03-5772-6657; honmuraantokyo.com Get it cold with grated mountain yam and enjoy the space The design is ber-modern and funky—there's this totally shredded Al Merrick surfboard on the wall that's been made into a painting Richards/Courtesy of Metropolis Magazine5/11**4 6-22-19 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 03-5795-2950; toritama.net "Tortitama is a rocking yakitori restaurant that specializes in rare and unique parts of the chicken a premature egg that's still connected with ovaries It's like eating an egg yolk—it just pops in your mouth They also have an incredible boutique shch selection "This 12-seat bar has the best sushi of your life One of my favorites is the ika—a ribbon cut of squid with salt and sudachi and comes only from the bottom of the sea floor as opposed to the top of the wave as most salt is Sudachi is a really aromatic citrus fruit only from Japan Be sure to start with tsumami (appetizers) and order some sake You get to pick out the sake glass you want to use from a tray with a variety of handmade cups in different sizes hitachinonest.com it's the best local brew—brilliantly simple They're also great community people who stopped beer production after the earthquake to bottle water for locals who had no water." 6-15-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Toyko, 03-3400-5474; wodkatonic.com "This is an incredible whisky bar in Nishi Azabu The bartenders are trained to make any cocktail and it has more selections of Scotch than you could ever drink." 1-5-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 03-3535-8005; starbar.jp "This small bar is all about the fruit cocktails they craft very special fruit-based drinks that you won't find anywhere else Ginza itself is a historic location and it's not unusual to see people walking around in kimonos Star Bar is a very small bar occupying a corner view of the action there." 5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 03-3542-1111; tsukijigourmet.or.jp "Tsukiji is the largest and best fish market in the world The tuna auction alone is worth the price of admission You will ask yourself how it's possible to have this much fish from the ocean on a daily basis You'll hear a lot of 'What is that?' along with the underground language of the fish market." If You Only Go To One Place: Sushi Dai at Tsukiji Fish Market Tsukiji Market, Building No. 6, 03-3547-6797; tsukijigourmet.or.jp "This is the best cheap sushi in Tokyo. It's only open early morning from 5am to 12pm. Get in line around 4:30am, have a beer, and then go to the fish market afterwards. It's the closest you'll come to fresh sushi." This article was originally published on February 21 2018 and updated on March 18 2022.  Above Photo: Instagram/@nomitomokl Photo: Instagram/@nomitomokl Calling all skewers and sake lovers! Perfect for an after-work wind down this sake bar in Bukit Damansara is an ideal spot for those who want to sample a range of sake while enjoying the delicious charred notes even those who'd rather order a rice bowl or bar snacks As Kuala Lumpur's very first sake specialty bar you don't want to miss out on a perfectly chilled carafe of sake while you're there too 50490 Kuala Lumpur | +6016-661 5907 | Monday-Saturday Related: 9 Food Skewers To Try From Around The World Above Photo: Courtesy of Itsumo Photo: Courtesy of Itsumo Osaka-style skewers that breads and deep fries the meat and vegetables The restaurant only focuses on chicken (sorry pork and beef fans) but does every part of the bird extremely well If other members aren't in the mood for skewers 50480 Kuala Lumpur | +603-6206 4676 | Monday-Friday Related: Food And Travel: 5 Youtube Channels To Satisfy Your Cravings Above Photo: Instagram/@kingukongu.my Photo: Instagram/@kingukongu.my Though more well-known for its superb cuts of meat a Kingu Kongu dining experience should not exclude its kushiyaki It's umami at first bite at Kingu Kongu thanks to its special sweet and salty sauce 50300 Kuala Lumpur +6012-871 5456 | Tuesday-Thursday,12pm–2:30pm Related: 7 Famous Restaurants In Tokyo With A Fascinating History Above Photo: Instagram/@pekopeko.ttdi Photo: Instagram/@pekopeko.ttdi 60000 Kuala Lumpur | +6013-627 8895 | Monday-Sunday Related: The Best Eggs For Different Dishes, From Fried Rice To Sandwiches Above Photo: Courtesy of Butaya Izakaya Photo: Courtesy of Butaya Izakaya this non-halal Sri Hartamas restaurant aims to recreate the look and feel of a Japanese izakaya While alcohol and skewered meats are in no short supply here Butaya also serves a wide range of Japanese foods like tonkatsu and tamagoyaki While not exactly specialists and more of a jack of all trades type of izakaya the restaurant's cozy atmosphere and neighbourhood feel has its own charm 50480 Kuala Lumpur | +603-2389 4172 | Monday-Friday Related: Kuala Lumpur's Tenryu Showcases Japanese Kappo Dining at its Finest Above Photo: Courtesy of Toritama Photo: Courtesy of Toritama From Tokyo to KL, Toritama over at Solaris Dutamas is another chicken specialist yakitori restaurant, featuring a diverse menu of all things fowl. From meatballs diners should try to dine at the grill bar for the ultimate experience And don't be afraid to ask the waiter to recommend a bottle of a sake to make the evening all the better 50480 Kuala Lumpur | +603-6211 0306 | Tuesday-Sunday Related: Offal-ly Good: Tatler Tries Chicken Ovaries With Loh Yi Jun At Toritama Above Photo: Instagram/@sticksnmaki Photo: Instagram/@sticksnmaki then sticks and maki is what you'll get at this Taman Tun Dr Definitely a place to bring your friends for a relaxed and fun night out the restaurant is a definite go-to for good drinks The minimalist design adds to its sleek ambience and the lounge upstairs is ideal for a post-yakitori and maki nightcap.  60000 Kuala Lumpur | +6014-677 4687 | Tuesday-Thursday Tatler Dining Guide 2022: What To Order at Sushi Hara Natsuko Shoji Named Asia’s Best Female Chef 2022 by Asia’s 50 Best 6 Open-Kitchen Eateries in Malaysia You Need to Try for Your Next Meal Out