※この記事は、2023.04.13に掲載された記事を翻訳したものです。
※The information is from when the article was published.
Hey there! How is everyone doing? I’m Asia (Joanna) from Poland! Do you all remember me? The first time I introduced you to Higashi-Jujo in Kita-ku, Tokyo, and the second time I talked about Enoshima in Kanagawa. This time, I’d like to introduce my favorite yakitori specialty restaurant in Japan, “TORIKIZOKU” (shortened to 'Tori-ki')
■What is Yakitori? What is TORIKIZOKU?
Yakitori is one of Japan's representative dishes, consisting of bite-sized pieces of chicken that are skewered and grilled on an approximately 18 cm stick, separated by parts of the chicken. However, it's not just chicken that is referred to as "yakitori"; similar styles of grilling vegetables or other meats (such as beef or pork) can also be called "yakitori." I believe there are very few countries outside of Japan where meat is served in such finely divided parts, and I was truly surprised to learn that the texture and flavor change depending on the part. Why not try to find your favorite taste and texture as well?
TORIKIZOKU is a yakitori restaurant that originated in Osaka, recognizable by its shining yellow sign. TORIKIZOKU has many locations primarily in Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Okinawa, and it offers high-cost performance, with all items priced at 319 yen (tax included 350 yen), allowing you to enjoy whatever you eat or drink. (In Tokyo, you can find at least one TORIKIZOKU in any neighborhood you visit!) As a side note, Japanese people often abbreviate TORIKIZOKU to "Toriki." If you find a TORIKIZOKU, why not say like a Japanese person, "There's a Toriki! Let's go to Toriki!"
■Three Reasons to Recommend TORIKIZOKU to Visitors from Abroad!
1.Price
2.Quality and Taste
3.Atmosphere and Excellent Service
①Price: All items are 319 yen (350 yen tax included)
・All food, drinks, and desserts are 319 yen (350 yen tax included)!!
・For the "Toriki Banquet," a 2-hour all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink set, it's only 3,182 yen (3,500 yen tax included) per person!!
※Please note that the "Toriki Banquet" has rules: reservations can only be made for groups of four or more adults (middle school students and above), and reservations cannot be made solely for those under 20 years old.
For more details, please check the TORIKIZOKU website.
In Japan, there are many uniform price stores like the internationally famous "DAISO" and "3COINS," where all items are 300 yen. However, at TORIKIZOKU, all food and drinks are just 319 yen (350 yen tax included)!! Not only yakitori, but also rice, salads, alcohol, and juices—all for the same price!! Isn’t that amazing? Visitors who come to TORIKIZOKU and look at the menu might wonder, "Is it really okay to be this cheap? Is it delicious?" But there's no need to worry at TORIKIZOKU. Everything you eat and drink is delicious, so you will be very satisfied! Feel free to order with confidence.
※Please note that yakitori is served in sets of two skewers for 350 yen (tax included).
②Quality and Taste
When using restaurants with low prices, you might find that the portion sizes are small or that they use ingredients produced in countries other than Japan. However, at TORIKIZOKU, the portion sizes are always just right—not too little and not too much. Furthermore, the quality of the ingredients is outstanding; TORIKIZOKU exclusively uses chicken that is raised domestically in Japan. It’s truly amazing to get this level of quality for just 350 yen, including tax! As someone who loves chicken dishes, I have eaten chicken meals in various places, but the moment I took a bite at TORIKIZOKU, I couldn’t help but exclaim “Delicious!” from the bottom of my heart, feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness that made me want to jump for joy. Even now, every time I take a bite, I can’t help but say “Delicious!!” (laughs). The flavor of the grilled chicken is basically a simple “salt” taste or a rich “sauce” taste, but even with the same part of the chicken, the experience changes dramatically with different seasonings. I encourage everyone to try both the salt and sauce flavors for a comparison.
My Recommended Yakitori
1.Nankotsu (chicken cartilage): You can enjoy it with salt, tare (sauce), or fried—any way is great! The crunchy texture is the best!
2.Mune Kizoku Yaki (grilled chicken breast with tare):Yakitori skewered alternately with chicken breast and green onions. Even as someone who usually dislikes green onions, I love this.
3.Torikawa Chips (chicken skin chips):This dish is made from fried chicken skin. Like Nankotsu, I think it's a part that isn't commonly eaten outside of Japan, but once you try it, you'll get hooked. Trust me and give it a try.
My Recommended Drinks
1.Melon Chuhai with fruit chunks: (This is an alcoholic drink. Spring limited edition.) When I'm feeling good, I can drink about seven cups! I'm strong with alcohol, so if anyone wants to challenge me, please get in touch!
2.Gentle Melon and Milk: (This is a juice. Spring limited edition.)
③The Atmosphere and Excellent Customer Service
If you're looking for a lively place on a weekday evening, I highly recommend visiting TORIKIZOKU. Most of their locations have spacious interiors, so even if it's busy, you can usually get a seat after a short wait. When you visit sushi or traditional Japanese restaurants, you might have to worry about your attire or etiquette, but at TORIKIZOKU, you can casually drop by after school or work. Personally, I sometimes visit TORIKIZOKU alone, as I love it so much—it has become a part of my daily life. By the way, even when dining alone, you can enjoy your favorite yakitori at your own pace in a small private booth while using a touch panel, so there's no need to rush. In fact, "dining alone at TORIKIZOKU" has become a trend among Japanese people, just like me! Why not try it out yourself?
When I visited TORIKIZOKU by myself, there was a group nearby having a great time, and they asked a female staff member, "Could you take a photo for us?" She smiled brightly and took the photo for them. Just witnessing this small act made me feel warm inside, and I thought, "This is truly a kind and wonderful place!" No matter what you need, the staff at TORIKIZOKU are always polite and helpful, so you can feel at ease. Whether you're alone or with a group, it's perfect! If you're looking for great service at an affordable price, I highly recommend giving it a try!
■ What part of the chicken is this? Fun and Interesting chicken parts you can find at a Yakitori Restaurant!
At TORIKIZOKU, their menu includes pictures of each dish, so even if you're not sure which part of the chicken it is, you can still order by looking at the photo. However, understanding where each part comes from can make choosing dishes even more fun, so let me introduce some of the interesting chicken parts you can find!
・Bonjiri: The triangular meat around the tailbone area. This meat is firm and juicy.
・Hatsu:Chicken heart. Rich in vitamins and high in nutrition, it has a unique, crunchy texture.
・Tsukune:Ground chicken made from breast or thigh meat, formed into balls. Tsukune Cheese Yaki is highly recommended.
・Kimo (Liver):Chicken liver. Low in fat, high in protein, and low in calories, it's very popular among women in Japan.
・Chikara Kubu: Drumstick (the bone is removed for easy eating). The meat is firm and juicy.
・Seseri: Meat around the chicken's neck. It has a mild taste, making it easy to eat.
・Nankotsu:The knee joint. It’s delicious whether fried or grilled, with a crunchy texture that’s very popular.
■Conclusion
In Japan, when purchasing chicken, you can easily choose specific parts without needing to visit a specialty store. However, in my hometown of Poland, chickens are typically sold whole, so it's not possible to buy parts like chicken skin or cartilage separately. When I discovered that in Japan you could select different parts of the chicken, I, as a huge chicken fan, instantly fell in love with Japan. Additionally, there are no restaurants like TORIKIZOKU in Poland. While there is a well-known chain called "Rotisserie Chicken," where you can buy cooked chicken, it's sold whole or as half a chicken. The atmosphere and the taste... sadly, they're not the same. Of course, I love the taste of this chain too, but there's no place that can surpass TORIKIZOKU. I've even tried making yakitori at home, and while it's delicious, it just feels like something is missing. The special taste of TORIKIZOKU can only be created by TORIKIZOKU, and no one else can replicate it! As a dedicated TORIKIZOKU fan, I want to share this amazing experience with people all around the world! If you're in Japan and want to try authentic yakitori, I highly recommend visiting TORIKIZOKU. You won't regret it! That's all for now! Bye-bye!