MUST TO EAT #4: YAKITORI

YAKITORI

Yakitori, grilled chicken, is a Japanese type of skewered chicken.

"Momo" (chicken thighs)

It is made from several bite-sized pieces of chicken meat, or chicken offal, skewered on a bamboo skewer and grilled, usually over charcoal.

"Tsukune" ( Japanese style chicken meatballs)

There are many yakitori bars (e.g. "Izakaya") in Japan which serve many versions of the recipe.

Diners ordering yakitori usually have a choice of having it served with salt or with tare sauce, which is generally made up of mirin, sake, soy sauce and sugar. The sauce is applied to the skewered meat and is grilled until delicately cooked.

Also, there are a variety of yakitori menu. Below are some typical yakitori menu which they may provide.

•yakitori -- grilled, skewered chicken pieces

•aigamo -- duck

•hasami -- alternating pieces of chicken and leek

•hatsu -- hearts

•hina(dori) -- very young chicken

•hone tsuki -- bones included

•kawa -- chicken skin

•tori kimo yaki -- chicken livers and other giblets

•momo(yaki) -- chicken legs

•motsu -- giblets

•nankotsu -- chicken pieces with bone

•negima -- chicken pieces and leek

•rebaa -- liver

•sasami -- chicken breast meat (without skin)

•shOniku -- boneless meat with skin

•sunagimo -- gizzards

•suzume -- sparrow (or young chicken)

•tan -- beef tongue

•tebasaki -- chicken wings

•tsukune -- chicken meatballs

•uzura (tamago) -- quail eggs

 Yakitori bars often provide their unique original menu which doesn't neccessarily made of chicken (though they are still called "yaki"=grilled "tori"=chicken). For instance, pork yakitori  and vegetables (often rolled in bacon with cheese) may be available at some places.

"aspara-bacon maki" (Asparagus rolled in bacon)

Yakitori is a very popular dish in Japan, many working people grab a yakitori and a beer from yakitori stalls on the way home from work with a beer.

If you look for a good yakitori bar, go to Hibiya-Yurakucho area

The yakitori bars are found in the railroad underpass near the HIbiya (or Yurakucho) Station.

These yakitori places are cheap and delicious. Most of the seats are outdoors on stools with beer crate tables. English menu may be available at some yakitori bars.

A blog below,provides good info about Yakitori restaurant in Yurakucho. 

http://www.notquitenigella.com/2008/07/06/yakitori-alley-at-yurakucho-tokyo/

Lastly, don't forget, when you raise your glass, say Kampai! Japanese for Cheers!