Popular yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) in the Shibuya area! 20 recommended restaurants

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Teppen Shibuya Onna Dojo is a lively yakitori izakaya just a 7-minute walk from Shibuya Station, staffed mainly by women and known for its upbeat service that blows away the stress of everyday life.

With public morning assemblies and birthday events, the whole restaurant comes together to create a fun atmosphere, making for a memorable dining experience.

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The yakitori is made with Daisen-dori (Daisen chicken), raised on the rich land of Tottori Prefecture, and boldly grilled over binchotan (high-grade charcoal). They hand-skewer each one every day to keep it fresh.

For your first order, reviews also recommend the popular “Teppen-yaki,” an assortment with one skewer each of their popular items.

The menu also has a wide variety of vegetable kushiyaki (grilled skewers), with seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, asparagus, and zucchini wrapped in pork.

The pork fat soaks into the vegetables, and they are grilled just right so they still keep a nice crisp texture. These dishes are healthy and filling.

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Yakitori Torinozu is a yakitori restaurant on the 11th floor of a building, about a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station. Located high above the city, it offers a great atmosphere, with night views of Shibuya's busy district from the windows.

This authentic spot focuses on jidori (local chicken) and seasonal vegetables delivered directly from farmers. It is a calm, relaxed place where adults can enjoy a quiet meal.

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The restaurant mainly uses jidori (free-range chicken) from major chicken producing regions in Japan, such as Miyazaki and Tottori prefectures. The Yakitori and Tsumami (small plates) Course lets you enjoy a full range of popular yakitori and à la carte dishes.

The food is served on traditional Japanese tableware such as Kutani-yaki (Kutani ware), which adds to its beautiful presentation.

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The signature makura chochin is a skewer made by wrapping garlic chives around minced meat with cartilage and shaping it like a pillow.

When paired with chochin (chicken egg yolk), it is said to come together beautifully in your mouth. The fragrant aroma of the charcoal grill and the sweet richness of the egg yolk are said to be a perfect match.

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Honkaku Yakitori Shibuya Tamaya is a yakitori izakaya on the second floor of a building just past Shibuya Center-gai (Shibuya Center Street). It has a spacious interior with 75 seats in total, and a casual atmosphere where all kinds of guests can have a lively time.

This is the second branch of a high-end yakitori restaurant in Gotanda, Tokyo. One of its big draws is that you can enjoy the same high-quality yakitori at reasonable prices.

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The yakitori at this restaurant is famous for its large cuts of chicken. They grill it boldly over binchotan (high-grade charcoal), which brings out the thick, plump, springy texture of the meat.

The "furisode" from the fringe area is a cut where you can really feel the bounce, and the more you chew, the more flavor comes through.

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There are also many a la carte dishes that bring out the good taste of chicken. The "Tori Shio Chanko" is a nutritious Hot Pot dish eaten by sumo wrestlers in sumo stables.

It comes with big pieces of chicken, and you can enjoy a rich soup filled with savory flavor and collagen.

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Yakitori Tsukada Shibuya is a yakitori izakaya just a 3-minute walk from Shibuya Station, near Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, and the basic style here is to enjoy the yakitori by ordering a course.

The interior has a stylish, refined atmosphere, and it also has fully private rooms, creating a setting where you can relax and enjoy your meal.

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For its yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), the restaurant uses Miyazaki Jitokko, a branded chicken that makes up only about 1% of Japan’s chicken distribution. Grilling it simply over charcoal brings out the sweet, rich flavor of its high quality fat and umami.

The most popular item is furisode (shoulder meat), cut from the shoulder. It has a nice bite, and they say this skewer lets you enjoy the most umami.

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The sasami (chicken tenderloin) can be enjoyed in a rare style. It is shaped like a small cylinder, grilled until plump, and seasoned with soy sauce.

When you wrap it in nori (seaweed) and eat it in one bite, it has an almost mochi-like texture, like traditional Japanese isobeyaki (soy-sauce grilled mochi wrapped in seaweed).

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Jizake Ikken Yakitori Kome no Hana is a yakitori izakaya tucked away on a backstreet, about a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station, with a wide selection of Japanese sake. The restaurant offers Japanese sake from all over Japan, and you can enjoy pairings of yakitori and Japanese sake.

Inside, Japanese sake labels and sake barrels decorate the space, giving it a lovely atmosphere like a liquor shop.

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They serve authentic yakitori made by carefully grilling freshly butchered Koshu jidori (Koshu local chicken) over binchotan (high-grade charcoal).

Because the chicken is so fresh, the liver is said to be first-rate. It has a rich chicken flavor and is cooked to just the right point with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The acidity of the balsamic vinegar adds a nice accent.

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In addition to ordering a la carte, you can add 2 hours of All you can drink. The biggest draw is that you can compare and enjoy as much as you like from about 40 kinds of Japanese sake that change daily.

The non-yakitori a la carte dishes also offer a full lineup of items that are perfect as small bites to snack on, which makes this place hard to resist for Japanese sake lovers.

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This restaurant is the first Tokyo location of a popular Osaka restaurant. It is built around the concept of pairing yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) with Japanese sake.

The table seats have partitions, creating a spacious layout where you do not have to worry about the next table. It is a setting where you can enjoy your meal in peace.

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While carrying on the traditions of the Honten, it also brings in a modern Shibuya style and serves dishes that let you feel the depth of yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).

They use high quality branded chicken that changes daily, and they will guide you to Japanese sake that pairs well with each type of chicken and cut.

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There are also many original creative otsumami (small plates to go with drinks). The "Shifuku no Potesara," short for potato salad, is arranged almost like a cake and has a cute look.

This dish features smoothly strained potatoes with accents of herbs and bacon, topped with a soft-boiled egg.

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"Kushiyaki Kuromatsuya Shibuya Ten" is a Japanese-style izakaya with a modern Japanese feel, located a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station. It is a directly operated restaurant launched by the manufacturer with the No.1 domestic production volume of yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) in Japan.

Yakitori made with chicken delivered directly from the company's own factory and carefully grilled over bincho-tan (high-grade white charcoal) is the main draw. There are many bench seats and Private room seats, creating a relaxing space.

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They serve branded chickens such as shamo (gamefowl) and rare cuts at reasonable prices, making the most of the strengths of a yakitori maker.

One of the most popular items is the Koshu-dori Tebasaki Kushi. A whole bone-in chicken wing is skewered and grilled to just the right doneness, leaving the skin crisp and fragrant.

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The "Koshu-dori (Koshu chicken) Shiro Reba Kushi (white liver skewer)" has more fat than regular liver, and people say the cooking is spot on and it tastes great.

It is said to have a rich, creamy texture and an outstanding sweetness that gives a sense of freshness. The slight bitterness unique to liver comes with no off notes and an elegant flavor, making it a perfect match for drinks.

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Yakitori Tsukimi is located just past Shibuya Center-gai, a 6-minute walk from Shibuya Station. This restaurant serves Yame Tanso-dori (rare local chicken), a legendary jidori chicken that is rarely available even across Japan.

It also offers a wide selection of pork and beef skewers, making it an authentic spot with a lineup of Homemade dishes grilled over binchotan (high-grade charcoal) for a rich, toasty flavor.

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The "Yame Tanso-dori (charcoal-fed chicken from Yame)," said to be served at only a limited number of restaurants across Japan, is raised naturally and without stress in Fukuoka Prefecture, and is known for its rich sweetness and pleasantly firm texture.

The most popular option is a 13-dish course with All you can drink that brings together all the signature menu items, and fans even come from far away to try it.

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The "Jikasei Tsukune 5-shu assortment" is said to be outstanding for its incredibly light texture and juicy richness packed with meat juices.

You can enjoy it in five flavors, including "Tsukimi" with egg yolk, spicy "Kara Miso," and "Parmigiano," which gives it a taste like Hamburger Steak.

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Tori Genji is a yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant on the 4th floor of a building, just a 2-minute walk from Shibuya Station. The yakitori, prepared by the head chef who trained at well-known restaurants, uses Daisen-dori (a branded chicken from Tottori Prefecture).

The space has a moody feel with subdued lighting. There are window seats with a view over the city, as well as Semi-private room seating for added privacy.

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"Daisen-dori (premium Japanese chicken)" is a widely known and tasty chicken in Japan. They prepare each cut to match its characteristics, and with perfect grilling, it offers an excellent flavor.

"Kokoronokori (a rare heart cut)" and "sunamimi (a rare gizzard cut)" are available only 1 to 2 skewers a day, so if you get the chance, they are must-orders.

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The creative dishes cooked over sumibi (charcoal fire) are also said to be top notch. This one is called “Tsuyudaku Shiitake.” It has a sweet and savory broth tucked inside the shiitake mushroom, and it is said to burst with juice in your mouth.

The toasted aroma from the charred surface and the soft, springy texture of the shiitake are a great match, and it is sure to go well with alcohol.

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Shibuyakko Izakaya Tototoriton is an izakaya where you can casually enjoy yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) as the main draw, along with kushiyaki (grilled skewers), sashimi, and other Japanese dishes. It is a 2-minute walk from the Hachiko exit, the symbol of Shibuya Station.

The small basement-level floor is said to offer a relaxing Japanese-style space, with warm hospitality that helps you feel at ease.

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The secret to the great yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) here is the exceptionally fresh chicken delivered every morning from the poultry farm. They cut the meat into thick pieces, carefully skewer each one by hand, and grill the yakitori over charcoal until fragrant.

The "Omakase 5-skewer assortment," which lets you casually enjoy a variety of cuts, is said to be a must-order menu item.

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The seafood menu is also extensive, with dishes made from fresh fish. This is the “Assorted Fresh Fish Sashimi, 5-item assortment.”

It comes with five kinds of seasonal fish, and you can enjoy them with yakumi (condiments) matched to each ingredient, such as wasabi, ginger, and lemon. The slices are thick cut, so you can really enjoy the fish’s natural texture and good flavor.

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Yakitoriya Sumire Shibuya Dogenzaka Ten is an izakaya where you can enjoy yakitori made with Daisen-dori (branded chicken from Tottori Prefecture), and it is located in the Dogenzaka area, one of the busy entertainment districts around Shibuya Station.

In addition to chicken dishes, it also offers seafood dishes and creative menu items in a casual style. The restaurant has an open feel that makes the most of Shibuya’s lively atmosphere.

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The charcoal grilled yakitori made with Daisen-dori (Daisen chicken) is said to be popular for its carefully prepared texture and excellent grilling.

The signature yakitori, "Osama Reba (King Liver)," stands out for its impressive size, made with more than one whole chicken's worth of liver. The seasoning of sesame oil and salt is said to be a perfect match for its mildly bitter, rich flavor.

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The “funwari tsukune (light and fluffy chicken meatball)” is an extra large tsukune with many fans. They lightly shape the ground meat into a soft ball, grill it, and finish it with a rich sauce.

There are topping options like cheese sauce and egg yolk, so it is said to be especially good when you enjoy it with different flavors along the way.

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Yakitori Wine Hoshino is a specialty restaurant for yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and wine, run by a sommelier. It is about a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station, in the area known as Ura-Shibuya, where many well-known restaurants line the streets.

The interior has a chic, bar-like feel, creating a space for adults where you can forget the bustle of the city.

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While valuing traditional yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) techniques, they make a point of using several kinds of salt depending on the chicken and the characteristics of each cut.

The way they use salt and vary the seasoning is built around pairing well with wine. They offer wines from France and Italy.

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The “Maru Course,” which includes the restaurant’s signature dishes, is perfect for first time visitors. It comes with a set pairing of 4 glasses of wine selected to match each dish.

The dishes blend Japanese and Western elements, with combinations like fig and shiro reba (white liver), and each one is said to be finished to a very high standard.

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Sumibiyaki Tori Udagawadori is a hideaway-style yakitori restaurant tucked away in a narrow back alley, about an 8-minute walk from Shibuya Station. The stylish interior is in a renovated cafe space.

They serve charcoal-grilled brand chicken at reasonable prices, and you can also enjoy authentic dishes that show the quality of the ingredients and skillful technique.

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The Iwate Prefecture brand chicken used here, Seiryu-dori (premium chicken), is raised on feed enriched with seaweed and herbs in the clean natural environment of the Tohoku region.

It has a rich chicken flavor, yet no off notes or distinctive flavor at all. After its pleasantly fragrant first bite, it leaves a sweet finish in your mouth, making for excellent yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).

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The "Udagawadori Mankitsu Course" is the most standard course. It is packed with the restaurant's top recommended dishes, from three yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) of the day to fried and stir fried items.

Among them, the "jidori (local chicken) tataki" is said to be especially good because it uses Seiryu-dori (Seiryu chicken). It has a plump, springy texture, and you can really taste the freshness.

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Sumibi Yakitori Noroshi is located on the approach to Shibuya Hikawa Jinja (Shibuya Hikawa Shrine), a shrine famous for matchmaking, and has a casual downtown style atmosphere.

In the milder seasons, food stall style terrace seats appear out front. They say the atmosphere is excellent for enjoying yakitori while feeling the evening breeze.

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Yakitori is grilled over binchotan (high-grade charcoal), with an emphasis on a simple cooking method that brings out its aroma.

The rich bonjiri (tail meat) and juicy tsukune (chicken meatball) are served with salt. The rich niku-tsuki nankotsu (cartilage with meat) comes with salted lemon. They season each item to match the ingredient and bring out the best possible flavor.

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They have a great selection of courses with All you can drink. Centered on the restaurant's popular yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), a series of a la carte chicken dishes keeps coming.

"Noroshi (signal fire)'s Jerk Chicken" stands out for its ethnic flavor with herbs and spices. It is said to let you enjoy a different side of how good chicken can be.

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"Kushiyaki BISTRO Fukumimi Shibuya Ten" is a casual izakaya (Japanese pub) that blends the easygoing feel of a bistro with authentic yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). The restaurant is located in a basement space just off a side street near Dogenzaka.

The counter seats, which feel almost like a bar, are especially appealing. You can watch the grill chef's skill up close, and the nice aroma of charcoal fire is said to whet your appetite.

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Yakitori can be ordered à la carte from a single skewer, and it is also popular for being reasonably priced.

The yakitori is grilled over binchotan (high grade charcoal), known for its intense heat, and is said to have an excellent level of doneness that locks in the flavor. They use chicken from Kyushu, and it is said to be delicious with a sweet and savory sauce that pairs very well.

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The “jika-sei tsukune (house-made chicken meatball skewer)” is a skewer made with hand-kneaded ground chicken mixed with onion and grilled until plump and tender.

The sauce mixes with the juicy meat juices for a taste that keeps people coming back, and many customers order it again. It also goes well with karashi (Japanese mustard) or egg yolk.

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Sumiyaki Kirishima is a Japanese izakaya run by an owner from Kagoshima Prefecture, serving Kyushu regional dishes and local sake. It is located right near the shopping complex Shibuya Stream.

Inside, Kyushu folk crafts and shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) are on display, creating a warm Japanese-style space.

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The menu centers on yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) made with Domestic jidori (free-range chicken), grilled over Tosa binchotan (high-grade Japanese white charcoal). It burns at a high heat, and its far-infrared effect helps lock in the meat’s flavor.

They offer standard yakitori such as thigh, skin, Heart, and tsukune (chicken meatball), and because they use fresh chicken sourced On-the-Day, each skewer is said to be free of off notes and especially juicy.

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They say the dishes shipped directly from Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, one of Japan’s leading chicken production regions, are a must.

The “Kuro-Satsuma Jidori (free-range chicken) Liver and Sunagimo (gizzard) Sashimi” is popular as a dish you can enjoy only because of its outstanding freshness. The light sear adds a nice toasty aroma, the texture is crisp and pleasantly firm, and the chicken’s natural sweetness makes it excellent.

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Sumibiyakitori Ichibancho is a yakitori restaurant near "Shibuya Mark City," in an area lined with izakaya pubs, where you can enjoy authentic yakitori carefully grilled over charcoal and a wide range of side dishes at a good value.

The seating mainly consists of fully private rooms that can accommodate anywhere from 2 people to large groups. With Sunken kotatsu seating, you can relax and take your time.

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They serve yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) made with fresh chicken prepared in-house every day and grilled over powerful Tosa binchotan (Tosa white charcoal). The “chochin kushi (lantern skewer)” in the photo is said to be delicious, with marinated egg yolk in a special sauce matching the rich flavor of the chicken.

Besides yakitori, they also offer kushiyaki (grilled skewers) such as beef skewers, pork skewers, and vegetable skewers.

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The course with 30 items including yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) as All you can eat also comes with All you can drink, making it an unbeatable value.

In addition to 9 kinds of kushiyaki (grilled skewers), it also includes a wide assortment of salads, fried dishes, rice dishes, and more. You can enjoy this lineup of izakaya menu items that pair well with alcohol to your heart’s content.

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Sumiyaki Toriichio Shibuya Ekimae Ten, located on the third floor of a building on Dogenzaka, is a restaurant centered on All you can eat yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), where you can enjoy authentic yakitori, carefully prepared in-house every day, at reasonable prices.

Private room seating is available, so you can relax with plenty of privacy. It is said to be a calm space lit by soft lighting.

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The most popular course comes with 3 hours of All you can drink and All you can eat yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). The yakitori lineup includes popular cuts like thigh, negima (chicken and scallion skewer), and skin.

You can also enjoy All you can eat access to all 30 side dishes, including pickles, salad, and fries, which are perfect palate cleansers between bites of yakitori.

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The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) are prepared in-house every day, with each skewer carefully assembled by hand. In addition to chicken, the skewers of vegetables wrapped in pork are also popular.

They wrap shishito peppers, negi (green onion), and shiitake mushrooms, then quickly grill them over charcoal. The vegetables are said to soak up the pork’s sweet fat.

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Sumibi Yakitori Torikou is an izakaya just a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station, popular for its All you can eat charcoal grilled yakitori plan. The dining area mainly has box seats, creating a lively space where friends can have a good time.

You can enjoy yakitori made with the natural flavor of Special selected Domestic chicken.

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The All you can eat and drink course, which includes All you can eat yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and a selectable a la carte dish, is popular. You can get unlimited refills of yakitori, grilled to a nice golden char with a fragrant aroma.

The yakitori, seasoned either with a sweet and savory house sauce or simple salt that brings out the ingredients, is said to be excellent across the board.

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The course includes Appetizers, salad, and fried dishes, and you can choose your favorite item from several options in each category. At the end, a rice dish is also served, making for outstanding Manzoku.

For the fried dishes, you can pick from izakaya-style staples such as French fries, as well as menu items like kara-age fried octopus and squid.

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Torikizoku Shibuya Center-gai Ten is a yakitori chain with locations all across Japan, located amid the bustle of Shibuya Center-gai, and it serves yakitori made with Domestic chicken at a fixed price.

The seating is mainly box seats and Sunken kotatsu seating, with a layout where groups can relax and spend time comfortably. It is a casual space where you can enjoy yourself without feeling formal.

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With more than 20 kinds of skewers and a wide range of side dishes, this place is known for being a great value. Their specialty yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) is the "Momo Kizoku-yaki," a large skewer weighing over 90g, made with chicken thigh and green onion rolled together and slowly grilled over charcoal.

It is said to be thick, juicy, and delicious, with a rich sweet-savory sauce that goes perfectly with beer.

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The "Toriki Banquet" is a Banquet course that lets you enjoy about 65 food items and about 50 drinks with All you can eat and drink, and it is available for groups of 4 or more.

They offer a wide range of izakaya style dishes, from kushiyaki (grilled skewers) to rice dishes. The dish in the photo is "Piiman Nikuzume," grilled skewers of green peppers stuffed with minced meat.