Our favourite yakitori spots across the city, where you can enjoy succulent grilled Japanese skewers along with plenty of sake!
There is a certain excitement that surrounds yakitori — what’s not to love about glistening pieces of meat being kissed by flames and grilled to perfection? If you’re looking for some inspiration (that’s sure to get your mouth watering), we’ve rounded up the best yakitori restaurants for authentic Japanese skewers in Hong Kong.
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Yakitori Yamato
Spearheaded by yakitori master Ogura Tadashi, Hong Kong’s Yakitori Yamato is the first overseas branch of the famed Osaka restaurant of the same name. Featuring 150 days free-range bred Nara jidori chicken imported from Japan, opt for the poultry-centric omakase menu for the ultimate yakitori showcase.
Yakitori Yamato, Shop 3-8, G/F, The Oakhill, 28 Wood Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 5239 1899, yakitoriyamatohk.com
Toritama
Chicken is the order of the day at Toritama, where you can take your pick from more than 20 different parts of the bird. Or if you want to try a bit of everything, there’s a 12-skewer omakase-style menu, priced at $588 per person. Standouts include the “soriresu” — chicken oysters (often referred to as the best part of the chicken) — and the “negima” — chicken thigh with leek.
Toritama, G/F, 2 Glenealy, Central, Hong Kong, 2388 7717, www.toritama.hk
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Kicho
Perched on the first floor of Manning House is celebrated omakase-style Tori Kappo hailing from Tokyo, Kicho. The order of the day here is the supremely tender free-range Kuro Satsuma chicken from Kagoshima, featuring morsels harvested from “comb to claw” grilled over imported binchotan charcoal.
Kicho, Shop 2A, 1/F, Manning House, 38-48 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2633 8933, kicho-ushidoki.com.hk
Ganbei Yakitori Restaurant
Sticking to the tradition of grilling delicious chicken morsels, Ganbei Yakitori Restaurant offers diners an authentic experience and is a great spot to have a good time with friends (along with some sake!). The restaurant is simple yet refined, with reasonable prices and friendly staff.
Ganbei Yakitori, G/F, 123 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2414 3888
Ganbei Yakitori, G/F, West Grand Court, 403-405 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 2433 3328, www.instagram.com/ganbei.yakitori.tst
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Yardbird
One of the most-famed yakitori restaurants in Hong Kong, Yardbird is a must-try. We love the chicken wings, marinated with sea salt and shichimi, and the chicken gizzards, which are grilled with slivers of crispy garlic. It’s worth noting the restaurant doesn’t take reservations, and your whole party does need to be there before you can be seated.
Yardbird, G/F, 154-158 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2547 9273, www.yardbirdrestaurant.com
CHI YAWARAGU
This boutique kushiyaki spot in Sheung Wan serves guests a wide array of grilled skewers over the bar counter. While the menu offers everything from rare wagyu beef offal cuts to market-fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, the real star of the show here is the beak-to-tail yakitori selection, featuring local yellow chicken.
CHI YAWARAGU, G/F, 28 Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 9448 5988, www.chiyawaragu.com
Yurakucho
This hip izakaya concept opened by Simulate Concepts has a stellar selection of yakitori, including chicken skin, cartilage, and its own spin on the classic tsukune (minced chicken meatball). At the heart of the Yurakucho is a live robatayaki open-kitchen grill, where you can watch your skewers being prepared as you sip on a highball.
Yurakucho, G/F, Yu Yuet Lai Building, 43-55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/yurakucho.izakaya
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Birdie
Opened by the 298 Nikuya meat house brand that also brought us beef-centric 298 Nikuya Room and Japanese cutlet bar Porker, Birdie focuses on chicken. And you can find pretty much all of the bird’s parts skewered and cooked to perfection. If you’re a fan of chicken liver, it’s a must-try signature here.
Birdie, 9/F, The Steps, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2789 2881, www.facebook.com/YakitoriBirdie
Nan Tei
At Nan Tei, choose from a variety of different yakitori (it offers beef and pork, as well as the more traditional chicken). All are fantastic but we recommend the chicken livers, beef tongue and the fresh eel if you’re feeling adventurous. The restaurant also has a selection of noodles, rice and soups to accompany your skewers.
Nan Tei, G/F, 10 Yuen Yuen Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, 3118 2500
Nan Tei, G/F., 136 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, Hong Kong, 2736 2500, www.nantei.com
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Yakitori Toshiro
You’ll find this popular spot for authentic charcoal-grilled yakitori on the side of Central’s stone-slabbed Pottinger Street where it meets Wyndham. Yakitori Toshiro offers an exhaustive chicken skewer menu, including rare cuts such as the chicken belly, oyster, shoulder and heart joint, as well as a wide selection of sake and wines.
Yakitori Toshiro, LG/F, Harilela House, 79 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2727 0117, www.yakitori-torisho.com
BON Japanese Yakitori Bar
Offering a modern take on classic Japanese yakitori, everything on the menu is delicious, with smoky, juicy, tender and flavourful bites of succulent meat and fresh vegetables. Although the price tag is on the higher side, we think it’s worth every single penny. Note that the restaurant only opens for dinner and a reservation is needed.
BON Japanese Yakitori Bar, 22/F, H8, 8 Hau Fook Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2710 8686, www.facebook.com/BONYakitori
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More Yakitori Restaurants In Hong Kong
- Takagi Yakitori – An affordable and casual yakitori restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, that offers big, bold flavours. mindenconcepts.com.hk
- Robatayaki– Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel’s Michelin-recommended Robatayaki offers a modern, yet authentic, take on Japanese yakitori cuisine. www.harbourgrand.com
- Moto Yakitori & Sake Bar – A cosy yakitori spot in Tai Hang offering three tsukune (minced chicken meatball) variations: original, okonomiyaki and cheese. www.facebook.com/motoyakitori
- FireBird – This modern izakaya in Causeway Bay offers a selection of chicken yakitori alongside sushi, grilled wagyu and more. www.instagram.com/firebird_hk
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Editor’s Note: “The Best Brunch Places In Hong Kong: Free-Flow Drinks, Hotel Buffets & More” was most recently updated in June 2023 by Nicole Moraleda. With thanks to Vivian Li for her contribution.
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