A Taste of Tokyo: The 7 Best Yakitori in Sydney
Tokyo is famous for its yakitori laneways, and a little further south in Sydney, bars serving the skewered treats are popping up around the city. For those who haven’t tried it yet, yakitori is a method of skewering meat on a ‘kushi’ (usually made of bamboo), and grilling it over a charcoal fire until it’s bursting with flavour, or ‘umami’.
What separates yakitori from kebab-style meats, you ask? Traditionally, yakitori bars cook up every part of the chicken including the heart and liver. Most Sydney spots offer a range of cuts, so you can choose your own adventure.
Next time you’re craving Japanese, feast on the stellar skewers at these yakitori bars.
Itadakimasu! (Let’s eat!)
Yakitori Jin
In Haberfield, this izakaya (a tapas-style bar) is buzzing every night of the week thanks to its authentic yakitori. The skewers are roasted over traditional Japanese grilling tables, and the long list of aged whiskies and sake is a Japanophile’s dream. While you’re there, order the steamed gyoza and enoki mushroom and thank us later.
101 Ramsay Street, Haberfield
Toriciya
The first dedicated yakitori bar in Sydney, this Cammeray spot is warm, welcoming and as cosy as it gets – be sure to arrive early to score a table. Once seated move on to ordering yakitori, most of which are seasoned with ‘tare’, a kind of sweet soy sauce. The original tsukune (chicken meatball) skewer is excellent, as are the chicken thigh, chicken liver and crispy chicken skin varieties.
18 Cammeray Road, Cammeray
Toko
When you’re feeling fancy, treat yourself to a meal at Toko, which takes the izakaya experience up a notch in the style stakes. While it’s known in foodie circles for its sushi and sashimi (which are fantastic), the chicken yakitori is just as good. With spring onions and shichimi, we’ll be surprised if you don’t go back for a second serving.
490 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Yakitori Yurippi
The homely vibe at Yakitori Yurippi gives way to a menu of juicy skewers, specials and sides. If you’re with a group (or not), go for the share plate so you can try the pork belly with lemon; the chicken with a sunny-side egg; and the mochi wrapped in bacon. Is your mouth watering yet?
7 Falcon Street, Crows Nest
Tori Bar
Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, it’s hard to go past the yakitori degustation at Tori Bar. Made up of the traditional chicken skewers as well as prawn, pork belly, wagyu and miso eggplant, wash it down with a Japanese draft beer or a ‘sagroni’ (a Negroni with a dash of sake). Oishi!
105 Enmore Road, Enmore
Tokyo Bird
Down a Surry Hills laneway, Tokyo Bird is one of Sydney’s best small bars that happens to serve up some of the best yakitori. Modelled on Japanese izakayas, the menu focuses on bite-sized snacks, including chicken thigh, heart and liver skewers. For vegetarians, there are perfectly char-grilled vegetable skewers brushed with homemade tare sauce.
Shop 2, 226 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills (entry on Belmore Lane)
Chaco Bar
Chaco Bar is an intimate Darlinghurst haunt headed up by Japanese-born chef Keita Abe (ex Tokonoma). Its specialty is yakitori sticks, served over a bed of cabbage with a variety of toppings. The chicken, lamb, and pork belly are deliciously tender, but if you can’t choose, opt for the Chef’s Selection of six skewers (it changes daily).
238 Crown Street, Darlinghurst
