Want to eat yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) in the Tenjin area! 20 recommended restaurants

Photograph:チャピログ

Tori Kami GARDEN CITY is a yakitori restaurant on the second floor of Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Bio Square, located in the heart of the Daimyo district just west of Tenjin. It carries on the technique and flavor of its Honten in Roppongi, Tokyo.

The chic interior centers on counter seating arranged around the grill. It has a live feel where you can enjoy even the sounds and aromas.

Photograph:こん_こん_こん

They take pride in grilling chicken, vegetables, and other ingredients close to the heat over the strong flame of binchotan (high-grade white charcoal). The smoky aroma of the charcoal brings out the rich flavor of Suigo Akadori (local jidori chicken).

The staff's high level of hospitality is also well regarded. Some courses also include seasonal vegetables and rare cuts of chicken.

Photograph:おねむグルメ

The Omakase course also includes items made with butter and Tsukimi Tsukune (chicken meatballs with egg yolk), which you enjoy with egg yolk, so you can enjoy a range of flavors.

You can feel the care that goes into everything here, from the Clay Pot-cooked rice to the small side dishes like pickles that pair well with rice, and it seems to offer a high level of Manzoku.

Photograph:グルメウォーカー時々旅行

Yakitori Morimoto is located on the second floor of a building about a 4-minute walk from Tenjin-Minami Subway Station toward Nakasu. Here you can enjoy yakitori made with rare jidori (local free-range chicken) from Oita Prefecture.

The interior is a calm space with a Japanese touch. A counter made from a single slab of ginkgo wood creates a refined atmosphere.

Photograph:miki_fukuoka

The restaurant has spacious counter seats and Private room seating with a sense of privacy, creating an atmosphere that is perfect for dining with someone special.

You can enjoy Toyo no Shamo (farm-raised jidori chicken), a richly savory local chicken shipped directly from the farm, in an Omakase course. In addition to yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), the course also includes soup and salad.

Photograph:チャピログ

The chicken is grilled over high quality Hyuga binchotan (premium white charcoal) from Miyazaki Prefecture, and the cooking and seasoning with salt are said to be spot on.

The popular "oyako Rice bowl" served at the end of the course is made with carefully selected eggs and chicken. The drink menu is also extensive, with wine, Japanese sake, and more.

Photograph:www.doom.now.cc

Yakitori Inada is a yakitori restaurant near Sumiyoshi Jinja (Sumiyoshi Shrine), built around the concept of “a third place to belong, neither home nor work.”

The interior has the warmth of wood and offers counter seats, table seats, and Private room seating, making it easy to relax no matter where you sit.

Photograph:ゆきふぢ

"Amakusa Daio (large native chicken breed from Kumamoto)" from Kumamoto Prefecture is sometimes called a phantom jidori. It is carefully raised over time and is known for its firm texture and deep flavor.

They also serve fresh chicken butchered that very morning, and it seems to be grilled so that the far infrared effect of the charcoal fire locks in the flavor while the surface turns nicely fragrant and browned.

Photograph:ぱんなこ26

In addition to yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) prepared by a chef who honed his skills at French restaurants, the restaurant also offers a wide range of side dishes.

The colorful "Inada no Bagna Cauda," with a wide variety of vegetables served with a house made sauce, is also popular. It also pairs well with Japanese sake.

Photograph:とり天丼

Yakitori Wine Sakaba TORI-BUDOU Watanabe-dori Ten is an izakaya on Watanabe-dori, on the south side of the Tenjin area. The restaurant focuses on yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and wine, and also offers a wide range of dishes and alcoholic drinks.

The interior feels like a stylish cafe. There are counter seats that are easy to use even when dining alone, as well as table seating for groups, making it suitable for all kinds of occasions.

Photograph:まじかるちわわ

You can order yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) from just one skewer, or enjoy it as part of a course that includes about five popular kinds of kushiyaki (grilled skewers).

The specialty is "Kohaku no Kawa." This dish is made by wrapping chicken skin around a skewer and slowly grilling it while basting it with an amber colored special sauce. They also have torikawa with a different seasoning.

Photograph:ゆうじろう0111

Popular items include yasai-maki kushi (vegetable-wrapped pork skewers) made with fresh vegetables, tsukune (chicken meatballs) made from chicken prepared that morning, and menu items paired with truffle or cheese.

There is also a wide selection of drinks, including bottled wine, wine available by the glass, and original cocktails.

Photograph:GOLD0389

Hakata Matsusuke Nishinakasu Ten is an izakaya on the south side of Tenjin Central Park, which spreads out at the foot of Fukuhaku Deai Bridge spanning the Naka River in Hakata, and is known for its yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) made with fresh chicken.

The space has the warmth of wood. There is counter seating facing the open kitchen, and on the second floor there are tatami-mat Private rooms, where you can enjoy a fun time with your group.

Photograph:ぶぶぶぶぶう7777

They offer a wide variety of grilled skewer dishes, including yakitori made with chicken butchered that very morning.

The specialty is "Matsusuke Tokusei Neri." This salt seasoned tsukune made by kneading several kinds of minced meat into a meatball shape is said to be plump and nicely grilled despite its large size, making it easy to eat.

Photograph:ミスターポポ 上には上がいる

Among the grilled skewers, the "Hakata Toro Tama" is also one of the popular items. It is made by wrapping a soft-boiled egg in thinly sliced pork belly and grilling it, and people love the texture of the rich yolk flowing out when they bite into it.

Another plus is that you can enjoy fresh seafood delivered directly from the market, so you can try both meat and fish.

Photograph:そらお612

Yakitori Atarayo is a yakitori restaurant in the Haruyoshi area, which lies roughly between Tenjin and Hakata and still keeps an old fashioned feel. It is located near Sumiyoshi Bridge in Haruyoshi, in the area known as Ura-Haruyoshi.

Inside, there is a large counter surrounding the open kitchen. The stylish space also works well for a second stop.

Photograph:辛口めんたいこ

Yakitori made mainly with female Kano jidori (Kano local chicken) from Tottori Prefecture. They bring in whole chickens, break them down at the restaurant, and carefully skewer each piece.

There are many different cuts, and they all have a great reputation for taste. Some rare cuts and popular cuts may sell out on certain days, so it is best to order early.

Photograph:チャピログ

One of the appeals of the counter seats is how close they are to the staff. The "tsukune (chicken meatball skewer)," made with ground chicken, is grilled with sauce, then finished with cheese grated over it right in front of you.

The restaurant also has a sommelier, so you can enjoy wines that pair well with the food, much like at a bistro.

Photograph:ぴた。

SPICE＆CLASH&ROCK'N'ROLL feat. Hakata Otokomae Yakitori Yami Yodare is a restaurant near Nagahama Park on the north side of the Tenjin area. At lunchtime, it operates as a spice curry specialty shop, and at dinnertime, you can also enjoy yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).

The yellow sign makes it easy to spot. The long, narrow interior has counter and table seating, and at dinnertime you can use it like an izakaya (Japanese pub).

Photograph:肉肉ゴリ男

The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) cooked over binchotan (high-grade Japanese charcoal) includes chicken skin and liver, as well as Fukuoka's standard kushiyaki (grilled skewers) like pork belly and vegetable skewers wrapped in vegetables with bacon.

They come in either salt or sauce seasoning, and people say the yakitori seasoned with salt is especially tasty because it brings out the natural flavor of the ingredients.

Photograph:おでのおでん

The signature spice curry is said to be something the owner perfected over many years. The popular chicken curry uses Special chicken, carefully selected and also used for yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).

At dinner time, many people seem to enjoy alcohol while snacking on yakitori, then finish with a mini curry.

Photograph:YMCO

Yakitori no Hachibei Tenjin Ten is a yakitori restaurant in Imaizumi, about a 10-minute walk from Tenjin Station. It is a branch of a long-running restaurant founded in 1983, with over 40 years of history.

If you want to enjoy the lively feel of a Hakata (Fukuoka's old name) yatai (street food stall), the counter seats are recommended. You can sit close to the grill area and the staff, and enjoy the energetic atmosphere as well.

When people say yakitori, they usually mean dishes made with chicken, but in Fukuoka, the classic yakitori staple is skewers starring pork belly.

At this restaurant too, they serve it as "yakitori," along with cabbage that also works as a palate cleanser.

The charcoal scented "pork belly" and "kurokawa (grilled chicken skin with sauce)," made by grilling chicken skin with a rich sauce, are especially popular.

Photograph:saton0606

Besides pork belly, they also offer a wide range of classic yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) made with chicken.

The photo shows the "tori-kimo (chicken liver)," which many fans say is a must-order when you visit this place! They also have standard yakitori items like "tsukune (chicken meatball skewer)" and "tebasaki (chicken wings)."

Photograph:www.doom.now.cc

Yakitori Otabisho is located on the south side of the Tenjin area, near Inaribashi Bridge. “Otabisho” means a place where the gods rest.

The clean interior makes generous use of white wood. There are lively counter seats, as well as loft-like zashiki (tatami seating) where you can take off your shoes and stretch out your legs.

Photograph:みほld3

This restaurant values chisan-chisho (local production for local consumption) by using local ingredients, with Fukuoka-produced Hakata jidori (Hakata local chicken) for its chicken and katamochi-buta (katamochi pork) for its pork.

Another feature is that they carefully butcher the meat, skewer it by hand, and grill it over binchotan (high-grade charcoal). Their house blended salt and tare sauce are also said to be based on soy sauce from Kyushu.

Photograph:uka1204

"Hakata jidori (local chicken from Hakata)" is said to be juicy whether you enjoy it as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) made from butterflied cuts or as "Oteba Kara-age," where you can also enjoy its light, crisp texture.

They also offer a full lineup of dishes made with seasonal vegetables and alcoholic drinks. Since this popular spot gets crowded even on weekdays, making a reservation is recommended.

Photograph:naripani

Fukuoka Hakata Yakitori Ganso Negikimaya is an izakaya on the 4th floor of a building near Tenjin Station. Along with yakitori, you can also enjoy Hakata specialties like motsu-nabe (offal Hot Pot) and mizutaki (chicken Hot Pot).

With red interior walls and windows that look like stained glass, the place has a nostalgic feel. Most of the seating is said to be zashiki (tatami floor seating) where you take off your shoes before stepping in.

Photograph:akamitsu36

The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), prepared with a focus on freshness, uses young chicken butchered that very morning. Every skewer is said to have just the right level of grilling.

The signature item is “negi-kimo (chicken liver with green onion).” This dish features chicken liver threaded onto a skewer and grilled, then seasoned with sesame oil and green onion. It is said to be the kind of menu item that could make you love liver.

Photograph:2bd19513874

The "tegone nama tsukune (fresh hand-kneaded chicken meatball skewer)," made by kneading ground chicken only after an order comes in and shaping it onto the skewer by hand, is also popular. It is said to have a juicy taste.

They also stock Japanese sake from Fukuoka Prefecture and shochu from Kyushu, making this a place where you can enjoy flavors unique to Fukuoka.

Photograph:mayupapa

Yakitori Daishizen Nishinakasu Ten is located on the 3rd floor of a building on Nishi-Nakasu Odori, on the east side of Tenjin Central Park. You can enjoy Hakata (Fukuoka) local specialties, yakitori, and fresh seafood here.

The space has a calm Japanese modern feel. There are counter seats and table seats, and it also has Private rooms with a sense of privacy.

Photograph:takapoke

The yakitori menu is wide ranging, with chicken, pork, Wagyu, and vegetables. Each skewer is cut into an easy to eat size, and people say the cooking is spot on.

There were also multiple reviews saying you can enjoy high quality yakitori at reasonable prices.

Photograph:TH0525

Another plus is that you can enjoy both fish and meat. Popular choices include sashimi made with fish landed in Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and nearby waters off Kyushu, as well as Hakata's famous goma-saba (mackerel with sesame sauce).

They also offer a wide selection of alcoholic drinks, including premium shochu popular across Japan, as well as shochu and Japanese sake from Kyushu.

Photograph:チャピログ

Yakitoritokiya is a yakitori restaurant located about a 5-minute walk from Tenjin-Minami Station, on Haruyoshi Yonbancho Dori. The glass door and red sign make it easy to spot.

The pop style interior pairs black walls with brightly colored chairs. It is a casual place where you can feel comfortable whether you visit alone or in a group.

Photograph:チャピログ

The menu is extensive, and they stay open late into the night. It’s perfect whether you want a big meal or just a light drink as your second or third stop.

The Date-dori (chicken from Fukushima Prefecture) is known for its tenderness and rich flavor when grilled as yakitori. The savory aroma from being grilled over bincho-tan (high-grade charcoal) is another highlight.

Photograph:小型クマ

In addition to fresh chicken, the restaurant offers many dishes made with seasonal fish and vegetables, with a lineup of menu items that pair well with alcohol.

The drink menu is also said to be quite varied. They are especially particular about Japanese sake, and they also offer pairings with the food.

Photograph:www.doom.now.cc

Yakitori no Ace Haruyoshi Ten is an izakaya located near the Haruyoshi 2-chome intersection, on the south side of the Tenjin area. It is the Haruyoshi branch of a yakitori restaurant chain with multiple restaurants, mainly in Fukuoka Prefecture.

The interior has a warm, homey feel with plenty of wood. There are counter seats that are easy to use even when dining alone, table seats for groups, and Private room seating.

Photograph:ポルシェでランチ

They use fresh chicken for their yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), shipped directly from farmers. Their signature limited-quantity skewer is “kokoro nokori,” made from the rare cut “hatsumoto (base of the Heart).”

Another popular item is the “asabiki-dori tsukune (fresh ground chicken meatball),” made from chicken butchered and ground in-house. You can enjoy a wide variety of tsukune with mentaiko (spicy cod roe) or cheese mixed in.

Photograph:Junnie0420

The initial otoshi (small appetizer) of bagna cauda is also popular. They say you can eat as many colorful vegetables as you like.

They also offer ate-maki (snack rolls), with rice and fillings wrapped in nori seaweed, for easy nibbling with alcohol, so you can enjoy a wide range of food and drinks.

Photograph:makoron22

Yakitori Kicho is located in Haruyoshi Rokubancho, about a 6-minute walk from Tenjin-Minami Station, and the large red lantern out front is the landmark.

The Japanese modern interior has both counter and table seating. At the counter, you can watch the grill in action, while the tables look ideal for relaxed conversation with close companions.

Photograph:makoron22

The chicken comes from a trusted poultry farm in Saga Prefecture and is butchered that very morning. You can enjoy yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) with fragrant char, including rare cuts such as liver and Heart.

They also serve pork and beef skewers, and together with the grilled vegetable skewers, you can enjoy more than 40 different kinds of kushiyaki (grilled skewers).

Photograph:むっく2589

The course that lets you enjoy yakitori and also Hakata meibutsu (Hakata specialty) motsu-nabe (offal Hot Pot) is also well received. It also comes with All you can drink, so you can eat and drink with ease.

Another popular item is the rice dish where they pour the restaurant's signature chicken broth over rice and enjoy it like ochazuke (rice with tea or broth).

Photograph:www.doom.now.cc

YAKITORI Yasubee Tenjin Ten is a yakitori restaurant located near Exit 6 of Tenjin-Minami Station. It is a sister restaurant of a long loved local spot in Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, that has been serving the community for over 30 years.

The casual interior has a warm wooden feel. There is also a zashiki (tatami seating) area with Sunken kotatsu seating, making it easy to visit even with small children.

Photograph:しょんしょん丸

The yakitori made with Hakata jidori (free-range chicken from Hakata) stands out for its wide range of cuts, and many skewers let you choose between salt or tare sauce.

The yakitori is served on top of roughly chopped cabbage. Eating the cabbage between bites of yakitori refreshes your palate and makes you want another bite of yakitori.

Photograph:博多っ子むらかみ

In addition to chicken skewers, they also serve pork and beef skewers, and the house specialty is the “Wagyu Hanging tender.” It gets great reviews for serving richly flavorful beef like you would enjoy at a full scale Yakiniku restaurant.

They also offer a plan that lets you add All you can drink to your choice of food menu items, so it is also recommended for people who do not eat much but want to drink a lot.

The photo shows “Draft Beer The Premium Malt's Kaoru Ale (fragrant ale).”

Photograph:www.doom.now.cc

"Tori To" is a by reservation only restaurant in Nishinakasu, on the east side of Tenjin Chuo Koen (Tenjin Central Park). It focuses on yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), Japanese sake, and wine.

The interior has a refined feel with a Japanese touch. Even the counter seats have partitions, making it ideal for spending quiet time with someone important. They also have Semi-private room seating.

Photograph:こぱんんん

You can enjoy yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) made with healthy jidori (free-range local chicken) raised over a long period. It is known for its fine fat and firm texture.

The yakitori, grilled by skilled chefs, is said to bring out more umami with every bite. They also offer kushiyaki (grilled skewers) of pork and beef.

Photograph:JUN7222

They offer a lineup of well-known Japanese sake from around the country, with a focus on labels from Saga Prefecture, and they also stock a wide range of wines in different styles to suit different tastes.

They also serve seasonal dishes, so you can relax and enjoy both drinks and food.

Photograph:脂汗垂太郎

Kunekune is an izakaya on the south side of Tenjin, near Exit 2 of Watanabe-dori Station. Located in Imaizumi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, it is a sister restaurant of a popular yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) spot.

The first floor has an S-shaped counter, making it easy to drop in casually. The second floor, which you can enter through the back door, is also available for group Private reservation and has a flexible space you can use freely.

Photograph:脂汗垂太郎

You can enjoy carefully skewered yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and "buta-kushi (pork skewers)." They also offer "makimono (pork-wrapped skewers)," made by wrapping vegetables or cheese in pork, so the kushiyaki menu is extensive.

The "Homemade nankotsu tsukune (chicken meatball with cartilage)" with its crunchy texture is popular, and the cute bite-size tsukune served on a spoon also gets great reviews.

Photograph:mypk_

They offer food that goes well with alcohol across genres, including potato salad and ajillo.

They also have nihonshu (Japanese sake) and wine served in glass cups, and they reportedly offer more than 50 kinds of "cup sake." You can also enjoy All you can drink in a self serve style.

Photograph:www.doom.now.cc

Yakitori Basshi is about a 10-minute walk from Tenjin Station, on the north side of Nagahama Park. The red lantern and white noren (shop curtain) mark the spot.

The bright interior has a warm wood feel. It has a casual atmosphere that makes it easy to drop in alone, and it also seems just right for small group meals.

Photograph:YoshiPuri

Several reviews also said the owner's warm service makes the place feel comfortable. Even first time visitors seem able to relax and enjoy their time.

The kushiyaki (grilled skewers) menu is also extensive, with skewers made from jidori (local chicken) from Fukuoka Prefecture and pork from Kagoshima Prefecture.

Photograph:ネコ大好きチョムスキー

The popular item here is “guruguru tori-kawa (spiral chicken skin skewers),” made by wrapping chicken skin around a skewer over and over. It has a bold flavor and seems to go well with alcohol.

The drink menu is also extensive, with shochu (Japanese distilled spirit), whisky, and non-alcoholic options.

Photograph:www.doom.now.cc

Sengoku Yakitori Ieyasu Tenjin Kita Ten is a restaurant in an easy-to-reach location from Tenjin Station Exit West 1. It is a branch of a restaurant that has been loved by people in Fukuoka for more than 60 years.

The "Ieyasu" in the restaurant's name comes from the name of a Sengoku military commander. The black fence out front is its landmark, and the interior also seems to have the old school atmosphere of a classic taishu izakaya (casual Japanese pub).

Photograph:トシボー1118

On weekdays, it opens in the evening, and on weekends and holidays, it opens from noon, so you can enjoy drinks with yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) even during the day.

The carefully prepared yakitori is slowly grilled over binchotan (high-grade charcoal), and it has a great aroma and taste, according to reviews. It is said to be crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Photograph:8971a6

A highlight here is that you can enjoy not only yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) but also skewers of pork, beef, vegetables, and even seafood such as shrimp and shishamo (smelt). The "Ton Ashi" with its springy texture is also popular.

They also offer All you can drink even if you do not have a reservation. You can add All you can drink to any food menu item you like.

Photograph:OGUTO

Sandaimme Torimero Tenjin Nishidori Ten is a chicken specialty restaurant on the west side of Tenjin Station, near Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Tower, and it is a great pick for chicken lovers.

There are table seats for groups of different sizes, as well as counter seats for solo diners. The space is casual, but if you want to stay for a longer time, the zashiki (tatami seating) is also recommended.

Photograph:OLIVE０３０８

The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is known for its rich, slightly sweet tare sauce, simmered with plenty of chicken comb and momiji (chicken feet tips) for deep flavor.

The restaurant uses Seiryu Wakadori (young chicken raised with carefully controlled methods), and its yakitori paired with that tare sauce is especially popular.

Photograph:あぺとぺ

The "ippon-yaki (whole grilled chicken thigh)" made with a whole momo (thigh) of Seiryu Wakadori is an eye-catching menu item. People like biting right into it and enjoying the juicy meat.

They also offer a full lineup of alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails served in large mugs, so you can enjoy a variety of flavors with the drinks too.