I went to a great yakitori place in Tokyo with a friend who flew in all the way from New York. After all, anywhere in the world – even in New York, the city of gourmets – it is hard to find yakitori as good as Tokyo’s.

Starting off with Murao

I usually start with beer, but this time I went with Murao, an imo shochu, as a special treat. Its fragrant aroma goes perfectly with yakitori.

A glass of water too

Nice taste in glassware.

Otoshi

A truly good place is perfect right from the smallest dish.

Ginnan (ginkgo nuts)

Part of the course. Good quality ginkgo nuts.

Smoked trio

My first time trying smoked tebasaki (chicken wings). They are not grilled, but the flavor is close to yakitori. Such a great drinking snack.

Liver pate

Liver pate goes well with wine, but it is delicious with shochu too.

Sori (chicken oyster)

We arrived late and there was just one left, so I ordered it in advance. A beautiful flavor.

Reba (liver)

As fresh as it is, it is delicious.

Kamo (duck)

They had duck too. It went nicely with the shochu.

Sake

I could not skip the sake either, so I asked for a recommendation and they brought out these. I went with the Kozaemon in the middle. And.. is it even allowed to be this good? It just clings to your palate.

Tsunagi

It had a nice chew to it.

Kawa (skin)

Plenty of places do this badly, but this one is an exception.

Saezuri (trachea)

Nice and springy.

Tsukune

Delicious, as expected.

Bonjiri (tail)

By this point I was comfortably full. Thankfully my friend was very happy too.

Tori chazuke

I ordered a light meal to finish, and the subtle flavor was lovely. Nothing here misses.

Yakitori Souten is a place I would love to visit regularly, but given the location I cannot make it there that often. I will just have to wait for another chance like this one, when a friend comes to visit and we can go together.

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