Review by a user: There is a bathroom
This place is called Kushi Yaki Manten Rokkaku in Kyoto. After finishing our burgers, we wanted to eat something else, so we found this restaurant. It was quite crowded, and we waited about 15 minutes to be seated. The menu is available in both Chinese and English, which is friendly for tourists. They first served edamame.
We ordered:
( Salt) Thigh skewers (chicken thigh skewers, salted) 2 pieces ¥418
( Sauce) Breast skewers (chicken breast skewers, sauced) 2 pieces ¥396
( Salt) Soft bone bonjiri skewers (chicken butt cartilage skewers, salted) 2 pieces ¥374
( Salt) Zuri skewers (chicken gizzard skewers, salted) 2 pieces ¥396
Beef skewers 1 piece ¥484
Beef harami skewers (beef diaphragm skewers) 1 piece ¥495
Lemon sour ¥539
Fuzzy navel (peach and orange liqueur) ¥649
Oolong tea ¥429
Tsukidashi (side dishes) ¥330 × 3
Motsunabe (small pot) ¥990
Total: ¥6,160 (including 10% tax)
The skewers were a bit dry, and overall it was quite average. The drinks were also pretty ordinary. The motsunabe that was served was raw and needed to be cooked for a while, but in the end, it still didn't become tender and was hard to chew. Overall, I do not recommend it.
Recently, a newly opened skewer restaurant was discovered in the Yancheng District of Kaohsiung! The interior decoration takes on a retro Hong Kong style, nostalgic and atmospheric, making it a great spot for photography. What's most special is their grill, which automatically rotates the skewers once placed on it, so you don't have to lift a finger. This allows for even heating, resulting in tender and juicy meat, making every bite very satisfying.
In addition to skewers, the restaurant thoughtfully offers chicken broth to warm up the stomach and alleviate greasiness. They also have a wide variety of small dishes, like braised items and fried snacks, which pair perfectly with draft beer—it's a real treat! Plus, they're open until 2 AM, making it a fantastic choice for gatherings or late-night bites.
Next time you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy a drink, you should definitely come here and give it a try!
【Foodholic Nako @ Kyoto, Japan】
Torikizoku is a yakitori restaurant that many Taiwanese people visit when coming to Japan, and it has now opened in Taipei as well, conveniently near my home. However, I heard that reservations are fully booked (?), so I haven't tried the Taiwanese branch.
The last time I ate at Torikizoku in Japan was eight years ago. I remember it being quite good—affordable, and it felt great to eat meat and drink beer heartily. I didn't plan to eat there this time, but since the restaurants we wanted to visit were closed, we decided to go spontaneously.
The "Torikizoku Karasuma Branch" is located in the bustling Karasuma-Oike area in Kyoto, on the basement level. There are many Torikizoku branches nearby, so we thought we could just pick any of them without having to wait in line. However, we ended up waiting for over an hour... (There were only four groups in front of us when we drew the number, so there must have been reserved customers), and because we were lining up on the stairs, it was really tiring.
P.S. When you arrive, go straight inside to draw a number before queuing. Don’t foolishly just line up directly.
This time, I ended up ordering a lot of food by accident, over ten dishes, and we ended up spending ¥4810 for two. Yet, by the end, we were nearly too full to eat anymore... because each portion comes with two skewers. I would recommend ordering about eight portions for two people.
My takeaways from this meal are:
It seems that every seat in this branch is like a private booth, even for two people, which is a nice touch.
What I ate this time:
Braised chicken thigh $130
Scallion chicken tender $120
Tsukimi handmade chicken meatballs $180
Braised chicken heart skewers $90
Salt-grilled chicken Matsusaka $80
Zucchini meat skewers $70
Salt-grilled beef rib skewers $170
Soy sauce broth marinated chicken liver $150
Grilled zucchini $120
Salmon fried rice $180
Clam chowder $120
Lemon high $110
Overall dining experience:
The skewers were quite good, although a bit salty. The chowder was rich in flavor but not much substance. The lemon high was very sweet, and the service was fast. The restaurant had a lot of colored lighting, which made it difficult to take good photos.
The single-point Japanese skewers feature a clean and bright environment with enough space for a comfortable dining experience. It's suitable for both meals and casual drinks. They mainly focus on chicken skewers, and they have a good selection of rare cuts available, which can also be reserved in advance. I felt the seasoning was a bit on the bland side, and most of the salt-grilled items seemed somewhat plain. They have a rich selection of alcoholic beverages, and the recommendations were spot on, but this time I only had beer. Overall, it was quite good, and next time I might choose to come back for all-you-can-drink after 9 PM on a weekday for some food and drinks.
The Yakitori Rhapsody offers seasonal yakitori set menus and is located on the second floor of Chun Dazhi near Miramar in Dazhi, featuring a very comfortable and upscale environment. The a la carte chicken skewers are robust and hearty, with a crispy and delicious exterior and perfectly cooked interior, striving for the ultimate taste at the critical point just before turning black and bitter. The dishes are fine dining level of exquisite deliciousness, presented French style with Japanese cuisine, showcasing an impressive fusion of the two.
At "Ichi Matsuri," a Michelin one-star yakitori restaurant from Osaka, Japan, we bring a playful spirit to authentic Japanese grilled chicken. It's quite difficult to secure a reservation here in Taipei, so I was thrilled to finally have the opportunity to dine here. Located on the third basement floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi hotel, the overall environment is very comfortable and inviting.
The menu features 16 omakase chicken dishes, with a focus on exquisite and delicious skewers. Each dish has its own unique characteristics, and there are also daily limited add-ons available. I left very satisfied and happy after the meal, although it is certainly on the pricey side.
Environment
The indoor seating area has both indoor and outdoor spaces, with about five tables indoors and two tables outdoors. The space at the tables is not very large, making it a bit cramped to sit.
Meals
The main focus is on skewers, but there are also many grilled dishes to choose from. This time we primarily tasted skewered dishes, and the barbecue sauce has a unique slightly sweet flavor. If you prefer stronger flavors, each table has seasoning powders available for your discretion. 👀 The editor does not have specific dish recommendations, but if you're unsure of what to eat late at night, you might want to give it a try.
Parking
Scooter parking 🛵 is available right in front of the store. There are many paid parking lots 🅿️ nearby for cars 🚗.
Service
The staff is very polite and will patiently explain the dishes and activities offered in the store. ‼️ An additional 5% service charge will be applied to the meals.
Payment Methods
Cash 💵.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is pretty good. Right upon arrival, they inform you that the food is made to order and takes time, but there are no time restrictions for dining, so that feels okay. The food tasted decent; I ordered several recommended dishes, and the pork rolled with dried chili was my favorite of the day. I also ordered a drink, but it was a bit bland. Personally, I think it's a suitable place to go when you want to have some light snacks and chat casually.
Tori Kizoku, a Japanese chain specializing in skewers, I visited once when it had just opened, but it was too popular that day, and there were no seats available. This time, I learned my lesson and arrived around five o'clock before the dinner rush, and I immediately found a seat. However, after finishing my meal around six or seven, I indeed had to wait in line again. The overall environment is comfortable and clean, and sitting by the window offers a nice night view. The number of seats is not as many as I imagined, so I suppose it’s still necessary to wait during meal times.
The drinks are relatively inexpensive, and the food prices are reasonable, with generous portions and a variety of flavors. The chicken seems to be made from broiler chickens, which are tender. The clay pot rice was not great, as during my first attempt, I followed the standard procedure, but the base was still quite watery. After providing feedback, they switched it for a new one, which was better but still a bit wet. Looking at the neighboring table, it seemed similar, so it might just be that I don’t personally like that texture. Overall, the flavors are moderate, but it feels like eating skewers in Japan. If my friends suggest going to Tori Kizoku, I might join them, but I wouldn't actively choose to go. That said, it's quite impressive that an international chain can provide a similar experience.
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