"Yakitori Toge" is located just a 7-minute walk from Ushigome-kagurazaka Station on the Toei Oedo Line. It stands unassumingly on a plot of land in a quiet residential area. The owner-chef, Hiroki Kurita has under his belt 10 years experience working as a sake dealer, and 5 years training at "Yakitori Tokoshima" in Sangenjaya. In 2018, he was finally able to turn his dream into reality when he opened his own restaurant.
Chef Kurita says, "Yakitori is a simple dish, which is why I never compromise on any of the ingredients, down to the smallest grain of salt”.He uses Hinai Jidori chicken, which is characterized by its tight meat and rich flavor and aroma, and Nanaya duck, which comes directly from Kameoka, Kyoto, and is characterized by its tender meat, sweet fat, and juicy flavor. Chef Kurita, who has obtained a license for poultry processing, cuts the chicken fresh every morning, skewers it, and grills it over Kishu binchotan charcoal. In addition to yakitori, the restaurant also offers a wide variety of a la carte dishes. Especially popular is the 「smoked chicken meat」. It is a flavorful dish that can only be enjoyed at ”Yakitori Toge”, where it is hung on the grill, smoked with the smoke from binchotan charcoal, and smoked with cherry chips.
For the Japanese sake served with the yakitori, Chef Kurita has utilized his years of experience and knowledge from working as a sake dealer to assemble a selection of over 20 fine sake to suit any taste. Chef Kurita has also been astute in selecting mainly French and Italian wine that goes well with the chicken; the whites have a delicate minerality, whereas the reds are mainly from the Burgundy and Rhone regions to match his seasonings without being overpowering.
Talking about the design of the restaurant, Chef Kurita says he wanted to create a lively atmosphere in which you can see the yakitori being grilled before your very eyes, so he installed just one large, U-shaped counter around the cooking area, capable of seating up to 15 people. The counter is created from natural pine, giving it a sense of warmth, and the spacious seating arrangement, aisles, and large windows lend a sense of openness that makes it the perfect setting in which to enjoy yakitori at your leisure. Whether dining alone, on a date, or on a girls' night out, why not spend an agreeable time enjoying some yakitori and fine sake in this stylish space.
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*The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
【Access】
A 3-minute walk from Ushigome Kagurazaka Station, Exit A1(Toei Oedo Line)
