If you want to enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) in Osaka, Osaka, start here! 20 popular picks

Photograph:グルメyマスター

A 8-minute walk from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station, Bincho Robata Daiyame is located in the Hankyu Higashi-dori Shotengai shopping street and is known for its tasty robatayaki (fireside grill cooking) made with Special ingredients, grilled over an irori (sunken hearth) using Domestic bincho-tan (high-grade white charcoal).

The interior has a chic and calm feel. The restaurant has counter and table seating.

Photograph:食楽悠遊

The counter seats are appealing because you can watch the ingredients being boldly grilled over an irori (traditional sunken hearth) right in front of you. You can enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) with all five senses. The ingredients, wrapped in the savory aroma of charcoal, are all said to be delicious.

The photo shows the juicy Ootoro Iwashi (rich sardine). It is said to be very satisfying to eat.

Photograph:ちゃんゆー食べロング

They offer courses that include a variety of dishes such as robatayaki (fireside grill cooking), as well as A la carte options, and they also have an All you can drink plan for single items, which is great for people who want to enjoy alcohol.

The photo shows the "tokudai ebi (extra large shrimp)," which is said to be plump and juicy. It is served with salt on the side, though it is tasty enough even on its own.

Photograph:harapeko☆sisters

Robata Italian ICORIBI Dojima, where you can enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) made with seasonal ingredients along with high quality wine, is located along Dojima Kitamachi-dori, a 5-minute walk from JR Osaka Station.

The stylish and refined interior has both counter and table seating. It is by reservation only, with two seatings.

Photograph:素敵なダーリン

The counter seats surrounding the irori (sunken hearth) are recommended for those who want to fully enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) with all five senses.

The menu consists only of the 12-item "ICORIBI Course." For the robatayaki, the chef carefully grills high quality ingredients such as jidori (local chicken) and jibie (game meat), which were Specially selected after directly visiting the producers.

Photograph:コタローのおデブでゴメン

The course content changes depending on the day, but the meat grilled over the irori (sunken hearth) is said to be fragrant across the board, letting you fully enjoy the meat’s natural flavor.

A nice plus is that All you can drink is also included. You can enjoy pairing the food with a wide range of drinks, centered on wines selected by a sommelier.

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Robata Yaki Tori Kaisen Nanairori, where you can enjoy fresh seafood shipped direct from fishing ports as robatayaki (fireside grill), is located on the first basement floor of Grand Green Osaka Minamikan, just steps from JR Osaka Station.

The interior has a calm Japanese modern feel, with counter seats, table seats, and Private room seating, making it easy to choose based on the occasion.

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The counter seats are the best seats in the house for enjoying the full appeal of robatayaki (Japanese fireside grilling), where you can watch the food being grilled right in front of you.

You can order from either the course menu or a la carte. The robatayaki focuses on seafood, though you can also enjoy vegetables and chicken. People say every ingredient grilled over charcoal is fragrant and delicious.

Photograph:はらへりあおむし

The dinner courses are also well reviewed for their high level of satisfaction, but the good value set meals at lunch, where you can casually enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling), are popular too.

The photo shows the "Toro Saba Teishoku," where you can enjoy a large grilled saba (mackerel), cooked to perfection so the flesh is tender and flaky, making it so good you will not be able to put your chopsticks down.

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Robata to Kamameshi Ryu, located a 5-minute walk from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station, is a restaurant where you can enjoy robatayaki (Japanese hearth-grilled dishes) made with Special ingredients sourced from around Japan.

The stylish interior, with the calm feel of a kominka (traditional Japanese house), has counter and table seating. It is popular, so it is best to make a reservation before visiting.

Photograph:昇優希｜Nobori Yuki

Robatayaki (fireside grilling) offers a wide variety of items, including jidori (local chicken), seafood, and vegetables. You can really feel the care that goes into the ingredients, and everything is said to be delicious. You can also order courses packed with a variety of dishes, with All you can drink included.

If you choose counter seats, you can also enjoy the live atmosphere of the robatayaki experience.

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Another popular specialty is their kama-meshi (rice cooked in an iron pot), which is also said to be delicious. They use seasonal ingredients and cook it slowly and carefully for about 40 minutes.

The photo shows the “Toro Salmon to Ikura no Kama-meshi.” It is said to be outstanding, with a nice contrast between the tender salmon and the popping texture of ikura (salmon roe).

Photograph:どらみちゃん63776

Robata to Oden Koronagirai Umeda Ten is a place where you can casually enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) and oden (Japanese simmered dishes). It is located on the 4th floor of a building about a 5-minute walk from JR Osaka Station.

The spacious and stylish interior has counter seats right in front of the oden, table seating, Sunken kotatsu seating, and Private room.

Photograph:chai♡グルメ

You can order either a course with All you can drink or from the à la carte menu.

The photo shows the "Tenshi no Ebi Kushi," grilled nice and fragrant so you can enjoy the shrimp with the shell on. The meat is plump and springy, and it has a rich shrimp flavor that spreads across your mouth, making it a standout dish.

Photograph:あ"い"う"え"お"

There are also many kinds of robatayaki (fireside-grilled dishes), including seafood and vegetables.

The photo shows the colorful “ginzake (coho salmon) no ikura (salmon roe) oroshi-gake,” with grated daikon radish and ikura on top of ginzake. Ikura is salted salmon roe, known for its poppy texture. You can enjoy the contrast with the flaky ginzake.

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Hongaku Robatayaki Hitomukashi is a 3-minute walk from Namba Station on Each line, tucked away on Sennichijizoson-dori in Ura-Namba. They serve robatayaki (fireside grilling) made with Special ingredients and creative dishes.

The interior has a small, calm atmosphere. It has counter seats and table seating.

Photograph:もぐもぐDevil

They offer both courses and à la carte. If you want to enjoy not only robatayaki (fireside-grilled dishes) but also a wide range of single dishes, the Omakase course is a great fit.

If you want to focus on robatayaki, à la carte is the way to go. You can choose your favorite ingredients from the fresh seafood, vegetables, and chicken brought in daily from the market.

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The "Today’s Kama-yaki (grilled fish collar)" in the photo is a dish that lets you enjoy Special selected kama (fish collar), the meat near the gills of the fish. The meat is packed in tight and known for its rich fat content.

Their good-value lunch also seems popular. They offer a wide range of set meals that come with rice, miso soup, and other sides, and you can enjoy items like grilled fish and grilled chicken thigh.

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Sushi Robata Kitaro Zushi Doguyasuji Yokocho Ten is a place where you can enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) and sushi made with seasonal fresh seafood. The restaurant is in Doguyasuji Yokocho in Ura-Namba, a 5-minute walk from Namba Station on 各 lines.

The interior is a two-story space with the feel of an old Japanese house, with counter seating on the first floor and both counter and table seating on the second floor.

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The first floor counter seats, where you can enjoy the live feel of robatayaki (fireside grill cooking) right in front of you, are best reserved early. The savory aroma of charcoal is said to really whet your appetite.

The popular dish is the "Tokudai Ebi Jikasei Tarutaru Sauce (extra large shrimp with house made tartar sauce)," featuring huge shrimp eaten with tartar sauce. The shrimp is said to be plump and excellent.

Photograph:食べ歩き営業マン

The photo shows the "Ootoro Iwashi Yaki," a whole grilled Special ootoro iwashi (fatty sardine). Its large, flaky flesh is rich with fat and packed with good flavor.

The restaurant’s other signature item, sushi, is also known for being very fresh and delicious. The shari (sushi rice) is on the smaller side and easy to eat, so people say they can keep eating piece after piece.

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Robatayaki Isshin Namba is on the second floor of a building along Nanchi Nakamichi, just steps from Exit 14 of Osaka Metro Namba Station. You can enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) of fresh fish and vegetables delivered daily from all over Japan.

The restaurant has counter seats, table seats, and Private room seating. It has a homey atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal.

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The counter seats are appealing because you can watch the lively cooking right in front of you. There were also reviews saying it satisfies all five senses and leaves you feeling Manzoku.

The menu is extensive, and the main ingredients are fresh seafood. The fish grilled over charcoal is said to be fragrant, flaky, and delicious across the board.

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The "yagen nankotsu (soft cartilage from the tip of a chicken breastbone)" in the photo is a rare cut known for its crunchy texture and sweet, savory taste. It is said to be excellent, with the aroma of charcoal adding to the flavor.

They also offer courses that include robatayaki (fireside grill cooking) and a wide range of a la carte dishes. If you enjoy drinking, the fact that it comes with All you can drink is another nice bonus.

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Sakaba Radical is a 3-minute walk from JR Temma Station. This izakaya lets you enjoy robatayaki (fireside grill dishes) cooked over a custom-made irori (sunken hearth).

The interior is said to be stylish and casual, with a cozy feel. In addition to counter and table seating, it also has a mezzanine-level Private room space.

Photograph:伊達 填

The semicircular counter seats around the irori (sunken hearth) are limited seats where you can fully enjoy the real appeal of robata-yaki (fireside grilling). They are popular, so reservations are recommended.

The most popular item is the “Otoro Iwashi” made with Hokkaido sardines so rich and fatty that only 1 in several thousand qualifies. They grill it slowly over 30 minutes. The flesh is tender and outstanding, they say.

Photograph:こも@おいしいせかい

"Chikuwa Cheese Pork Belly Maki" is a robatayaki (fireside grill dish) made by wrapping high quality chikuwa (tube shaped fish cake) with cheese inside in pork belly.

The combo of crisp and fragrant pork belly, soft chikuwa, and rich melted cheese is said to be excellent.

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Located right by Exit 12 of Osaka Metro Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome Station at the north end of the Tenjimbashisuji Shopping Street, Sumi Ginjo Tenjin is a popular spot where you can fully enjoy hearty robatayaki (fireside grill cooking) over a Binchotan (high-grade Japanese charcoal) irori (sunken hearth).

The interior has a retro-modern two-story design, with counter and table seating on the first floor, and table and zashiki (tatami seating) on the second floor.

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The open-kitchen first floor is appealing because you can enjoy the live atmosphere even from the table seats. Some reviews also said the aroma of the charcoal fire really whets your appetite!

The photo shows the "Kotei Ebi (Emperor Prawn) Natural Sea Tiger." It is said to be very tasty, with plump, springy flesh and the fragrant flavor of the shell coming together nicely. It is also quite satisfying to eat.

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The photo shows the signature tokudai toro iwashi (extra-large rich sardine), which is bigger and fattier than regular iwashi (sardines). You can enjoy it à la carte or in the Tenjin A La Carte Course, which includes a wide range of dishes.

It is said to be grilled to perfection, crisp on the outside and tender inside, so you can fully enjoy its natural rich flavor.

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Tosa Robata Hachikin Tenma Ten is a hidden gem tucked away in a back alley, just a 3-minute walk from JR Tenma Station, where you can enjoy robata-yaki (fireside grilling) made with high-quality, ultra-fresh fish shipped directly from fishing ports in Kochi Prefecture.

The restaurant has counter seats where you can watch the ingredients and cooking right in front of you, as well as zashiki (tatami seating) where you can relax in comfort.

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"Warayaki Katsuo (straw-seared bonito) ~Katsuo~" is a popular signature dish that many people come here specifically to try. You can enjoy it A la carte or in the various courses.

Warayaki (straw-searing) is a traditional Kochi Prefecture cooking method that finishes katsuo by searing the surface with the instant high heat of burning straw. If you sit at the counter, you can also watch the dramatic flames rise up in front of you.

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The “Buri ~buri~ Kama Shioyaki” is grilled yellowtail collar with salt, made from the rare kama cut found below the gills of buri (yellowtail).

It is grilled with salt until tender and flaky, making it a perfect dish to go with drinks. You can also enjoy buri as wara-yaki (straw-fire seared). They also offer robata-yaki (fireside grill) dishes with chicken and vegetables.

Photograph:お隆さん。

Robata to Kamameshi Ioroi sits quietly in a back alley, a 10-minute walk from Higashi-Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro. It serves robatayaki (fireside-grilled dishes) and kamameshi (rice cooked in an iron pot) made with fish sourced from partner fishing ports in Hokkaido.

The warm interior, renovated from a traditional old house, is fully equipped with counter seats, table seats, zashiki (tatami seating), and Private room.

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The counter seats around the irori (sunken hearth) are appealing because you can watch the grilling happen right in front of you. It’s popular, so booking early is recommended.

The restaurant’s specialty, “Ootoro Iwashi (rich fatty sardine),” is said to be outstanding. They skewer it and grill it slowly with the head facing down, which concentrates its good flavor.

Photograph:zunzunchan

The photo shows the "Shiretoko hokke (Atka mackerel) overnight-dried," a charcoal-grilled hokke delivered directly from a contracted fishing boat. It is rich in fat and has a tender, flaky texture.

It is said to be cooked to perfection and so good you could eat it forever. If you want to enjoy a wider variety of other menu items as well, the half-size is recommended.

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Directly connected to Kitahama Station on (Each) line, Robata to Oden Bokuchan offers excellent access and is an izakaya with a wide selection of robatayaki (fireside grill) dishes cooked over an irori (sunken hearth).

The lively, food-stall-style interior has counter seats with a great live feel, along with table seating where groups can enjoy a fun meal together.

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The restaurant’s signature Otoro Iwashi (fatty sardine), made by skewering rich sardines and grilling them head down, is said to have a crisp surface and tender inside, letting you enjoy its concentrated umami.

The Tokudai Ebi (extra large shrimp) is also popular, with a fragrant shell and plump, thick meat that has a nice springy bite. It is said to be very satisfying to eat.

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The photo shows Unzen Ham, a famous local product from Unzen City in Nagasaki Prefecture. It is a sausage made with 100% pork from Unzen and other parts of Kyushu. It is said to be juicy with a rich flavor.

Their other specialty, oden (Japanese hot pot dishes simmered in broth), is also known for being tasty. They offer a wide range of courses where you can enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) and oden.

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Robata Maruju Yodoyabashi Ten, located on Koraibashi-dori, is a 3-minute walk from Osaka Metro Yodoyabashi Station. This robatayaki restaurant serves local dishes and drinks from Kagoshima.

The casual interior has counter and table seating. Since it is in an office district, it is said to be busy with businesspeople.

Photograph:☆こぼちゃん☆

Robatayaki offers seafood, meat, and vegetables. You can enjoy it either A la carte or in a course with All you can drink that also includes Kagoshima’s local cuisine.

The photo shows the robatayaki "Huge! Mentaiko (seasoned pollock roe)," which has a spicy kick. This ingredient is made by salting and aging cod roe, then fermenting it with seasonings such as chili pepper.

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It seems the popular choice is the lunchtime set meal, which lets you casually enjoy Kagoshima (Kagoshima) cuisine. It comes with rice and tonjiru pork soup made with pork from Kagoshima and barley miso.

The photo shows the “Toro Saba Shioyaki Teishoku,” a set meal featuring toro saba (rich fatty mackerel) slowly grilled from Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture. It is said to be an excellent dish with plenty of rich fat, and the tonjiru is also packed with good flavor.

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Banya You is a robatayaki restaurant about a 6-minute walk from Osaka Metro Hommachi Station, on the corner of Kawaramachi-dori and Nakabashisuji. Using Special ingredients, it serves carefully crafted robatayaki with an extra touch.

The interior is a small space with only 16 counter seats, and it is said to always have a lively atmosphere.

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One of the big draws is that you can enjoy the full appeal of robatayaki (fireside grill cooking) from any seat. You can also watch the dynamic wara-yaki (straw-fire grilling) performance, where the surface of the fish is seared over the intense flames of burning straw.

Grilled right in front of you, the ingredients take on the aroma of charcoal, and every dish is said to be fragrant and delicious.

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The photo shows the "jidori (local chicken)," a robatayaki grilled dish made with Special, exceptionally fresh local chicken from Kyoto Prefecture. The skin is crisp, while the inside stays juicy, making it an excellent dish.

They also offer a wide range of robatayaki grilled vegetables such as "shiitake (mushroom)," "zucchini," and "corn." With simple seasoning, you can enjoy the vegetables' natural flavor.

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With the concept of "fire x aroma x food," Niku to Robata to Kamameshi Kuroya serves robatayaki (fireside grill cooking) with a wide range of ingredients.

The calm interior, with the warmth of wood, includes counter seats as well as Semi-private rooms and Private rooms. It is located a 3-minute walk from Osaka Metro Shinsaibashi Station, along Daihoji-dori in Amerikamura (American Village).

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They grill it slowly over low heat, leaving the outside crisp and the inside tender. The counter seats are appealing because you can also enjoy the live cooking atmosphere.

The "Tokudai Ebi (extra large shrimp) ~served with homemade tartar sauce~" uses extra large shrimp, and the plump, sweet shrimp are said to pair perfectly with the tartar sauce.

Photograph:hia【大阪グルメ】

In the foreground of the photo is the "chateau-buritan," a thick cut beef tongue grilled over charcoal. It is said to be seared and fragrant on the outside, tender inside, and so good that juices spill out with every bite.

They also offer a wide range of courses with All you can drink. You can enjoy not only robatayaki (fireside grill dishes) but also dishes such as kamameshi (rice cooked in an iron pot), another house specialty.

Photograph:小太郎の飼い主

Honmachi Bonten is a place where you can enjoy fresh himono (dried fish) shipped directly from Kanazawa Port, Domestic vegetables, and robatayaki (fireside grill) meat dishes. It is located on Houkiyamachi-suji, a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station on the Osaka Metro.

The retro izakaya-style interior has only 20 counter seats in total. The atmosphere is homey, and the place is said to always be lively.

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They pay close attention to seasoning and grilling methods to bring out the best in each ingredient. You can fully enjoy the signature aroma and concentrated flavor that only robatayaki (Japanese hearth-side grilling) offers.

The photo shows surumeika (Japanese flying squid) ichiya-boshi (overnight-dried squid), which has a pleasantly springy texture. It is said to be fragrant on the outside and packed with flavor inside.

Photograph:うまきち@大阪兵庫グルメ

The pictured "Jikasei 552!? Shumai (homemade 552!? siu mai)" is a popular dish that some say is a must order. It is said to be very juicy and undeniably delicious.

They also have a wide selection of robatayaki (fireside grilled dishes) vegetables, including eggplant, carrot, and zucchini. If you are not sure what to order, the "3-shu Mori" or "5-shu Mori" is recommended.

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Ebi Robata orb Fukushima is located on Josho Shindo, a 3-minute walk from JR Fukushima Station. This is a robatayaki restaurant that specializes in shrimp, and one of its unique features is that you can enjoy shrimp fishing inside the restaurant.

The interior, renovated from a traditional old house, has counter and table seating on the first floor, while the second floor is equipped with zashiki (tatami seating) that can be used as Private rooms. There is also terrace seating.

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The counter seats seem to be popular because you can not only fish for shrimp there, but also enjoy the real appeal of robatayaki (Japanese fireside grilling). It is best to book early.

If you want to fully enjoy shrimp robatayaki, the recommended dish is the "Tokudai Ebi Obiyaki," where an extra large shrimp about 24cm long is slowly grilled over the irori (sunken hearth).

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The photo shows “tennen amaebi (wild sweet shrimp) kago-yaki (basket-grilled).” This dish puts sweet shrimp packed with flavor, raised in clean waters, into a basket and grills them over charcoal.

The menu also has a wide range of robata-yaki (charcoal hearth-grilled dishes) such as fish, chicken, and vegetables, and they are all said to be fragrant and tasty. The restaurant also offers several courses where you can fully enjoy shrimp.

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Robata Furoshiki is known for its tasty robatayaki (fireside grill dishes) made with fresh seafood delivered daily and branded ingredients.

The Japanese modern interior has lively counter seats and relaxed table seating. It is located on the third floor of a building along Dahoji-dori, a 4-minute walk from Osaka Metro Shinsaibashi Station.

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The owner, a former fishmonger from a wholesale market and a skilled sumiyaki (charcoal grilling) artisan, uses carefully selected ingredients. Reviews also say the menu is extensive and that everything they serve is good.

The photo shows the "Yaki Yasai 5-shu Assortment," a robatayaki (fireside grilling) assortment of five kinds of grilled vegetables, including eggplant and broccoli, and you can also order each item A la carte.

Photograph:チーズ大好き22歳

The "hotate (scallop) grilled with butter and soy sauce" in the photo is said to be a perfect dish to go with drinks, with an outstanding match between the buttery flavor and the scallop's sweetness and umami.

Another popular item is niku-maki yasai (charcoal-grilled vegetables wrapped in pork). Open from evening until early morning, the place is said to work well for many different occasions.

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Kyobashi Robatayaki Roba is a place where you can enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) of fresh seasonal seafood and seasonal vegetables. It is located in the Kyobashi Higashi Shotengai shopping street, just steps from JR Kyobashi Station.

The interior is said to be filled with the warmth of wood. The restaurant offers counter seats where you can watch the ingredients and grilling area, as well as assorted varieties available table seating that is perfect for groups.

Photograph:お肉好き1114

They grill ingredients sourced from all over Japan at high heat all at once, giving them a nicely browned outside and a juicy inside. The menu is extensive, and everything is said to be fragrant and tasty.

The photo shows "Tenshi no Ebi (angel prawn) Shioyaki (salt-grilled)," which can be ordered from 1 piece. The shell is crisp, and the meat is said to be juicy.

Photograph:hikic69

The "uokushi (fish skewers)" are a house specialty that lets you enjoy four kinds of seasonal fresh fish at once. Each skewer is carefully hand-threaded and grilled over high heat to lock in the flavor. The selection changes depending on what is available that day, but every kind gets good reviews for its taste.

They also offer courses with All you can drink, where you can enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) and a wide range of à la carte dishes.