Yakitori-Origin of Japanise fast food

Tare and shio: Two ways to enjoy yakitori

In recent years, Japanese yakitori or grilled chicken has become known to people overseas. Yakitori refers to a variety of grilled chicken meats and parts on skewers. In general, yakitori is seasoned with sweet and salty shoyu-based tare (sauce) or simply with shio (salt).

Cheap & tasty: A perfect accompaniment to drinks

In Japan, many yakitori shops specialize in this tasty snack, while most izakaya (Japanese style pubs) also list yakitori on their menu. At the yakitori specialty restaurants, customers can enjoy food while watching the chicken being grilled over charcoal in front of them. Types of yakitori restaurants vary, from high-end to casual ones. Yakitori shops is are also a popular destination for Japanese salarymen (businessmen) to go for after-work drinks.

Variety of yakitori: more than just a grilled chicken

When you order yakitori, you will be asked your choice of seasoning; tare (sauce) or shio (salt). It is said some parts of meat taste better with a certain seasoning. If you are not sure what to order, ask your server for advice and recommendation. You may spice up your yakitori with ichimi togarashi (single flavor hot pepper), shichimi togarashi (seven-flavor hot pepper), or sansho (Japanese pepper). In addition to seasoning variations, you will enjoy different flavors and textures that each part of meat offers. Favorite chicken parts among Japanese people include momo (thigh), kawa (skin), nankotsu (cartilage), teba (wing), sunagimo (gizzard), hatsu (heart),and tsukune (chicken meat ball). If you are ordering a plate of assorted yakitori but do not care for inner parts, ask your server to exclude naizo (inner parts), such as sunagimo and hatsu.