First seen in Japan during the Meiji period (mid-19th to early 20th centuries), yakitori is a plate consisting of bite-sized pieces of chicken served on a bamboo skewer. The word “yaki” means “grill,” and “tori” translates to “chicken, hence “grilled chicken.”
Now famous worldwide, yakitori is best eaten as a street food, but you can discover its uniqueness when served in a parlor with sake, a Japanese beer.
Osaka is the perfect backdrop for some scrumptious yakitori. If you’re wondering where to eat the best yakitori, here are our top picks!
1. Tsuki no Odori
Nothing beats trying yakitori at a restaurant with a laid-back atmosphere, jazzy nook, and chilly vibe. That’s Tsuki no Odori at Nishi Ward. Your friendly staff will cook and serve your delicious, creatively crafted chicken skewers.
Translating to “Dance of the Moon,” this restaurant also serves sautéed chicken with sunny-side-up egg drizzled in Osakan sauce, grilled yam, and more. Highly recommended!
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2. Akiyoshi Umeda
Akiyoshi Umeda is like the McDonald’s of yakitoris. Seriously! If you don’t mind eating at a yakitori chain rather than a sophisticated, casual restaurant, the best in this category is Akiyoshi’s Umeda branch.
Customers note that their grilled chicken is tender, juicy, and well-sauced. However, you won’t get overwhelmed with just the same taste, as this restaurant also serves skewers of other types of meat, even seafood.
3. Motomi Osaka Nishi
Are you up to engage in some yakitori restaurant-hopping? Not too far from Akiyoshi Umeda, there’s Motomi Osaka Nishi, which will give you some Upper East Side vibes from the TV drama “Gossip Girl.”
Style at its finest. Their yakitoris are delicious, and their surroundings are uber-classy. Find what you love, and go ahead and try your favorite skewers with sake, shochu, and wine pairings.
4. Kuruma Shinsaibashi
Looking for an affordable yet still stylish yakitori meal? Try a plate at Kuruma in Shinsaibashi. They use mouth-watering, flavorful, and free-range chickens from Miyazaki, a place that really ensures the poultry are well-raised.
Aside from yakitori, this restaurant also features chickens from various cooking techniques – sukiyaki, sashimi, name it.
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5. Sumibi Yakitori Miyabi
After a tiring day of shopping at the Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, take yourself to Sumibi Yakitori Miyabi, a restaurant with a beautifully designed façade. It serves up yakitori in a wide range of kinds. If you prefer a me-time while dining here, try their ramen, the best in town. Or, if you’re bringing friends or family in tow, indulging in chicken hotpot – with skewers – is best here.
6. Torijiro Dotonbori
Should you have walked around Osaka and lost yourself, not having noticed how time went by, Torijiro Dotonbori is open until 2 a.m. on most days and until 5 a.m. – or before sun up – on Fridays, Saturdays, and before national holidays.
Sample their yakitori selections and other interesting recipes, like their lotus root sandwiched with minced meat, boiled eggs, pickles, gyoza, and a whole lot more. They are guaranteed affordable.
7. Yakitori Matsuoka
This yakitori food joint in Osaka may be new in town, but its owner, a self-taught chef, quickly turned yakitori into a gastronomic experience with impressive creativity and technique.
You can keep coming back for more until you try all their offerings. It’s not just situated in a quaint and tranquil residential neighborhood but also has softly-lit interiors, rounding up your yakitori food experience. Within a year after its opening, Yakitori Matsuoka had already earned a Michelin star.
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Whichever experience you prefer, there will always be a space for your limitless cravings. With several restaurants to choose from, you won’t get enough of yakitori in Osaka.
Want to discover more of Osaka with a local? Join our Osaka Free Walking Tour and experience Osaka’s rich food, culture, and history.
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