If you want to eat yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) in Okayama Prefecture, start here! 7 recommended places by area

Photograph:ニールマン

Kashiwaya Kobayashi is about a 5-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. This is a place where you can enjoy a top class yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) experience, with great care put into the chicken, charcoal, and space.

Inside, the space blends the charm of an old Japanese house with modern Japanese style interior design. In addition to counter seating, it has 3 Private rooms, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions.

Photograph:Erena.

The chicken used here is Kurosatsuma-dori (a richly flavorful, pleasantly firm chicken). For the charcoal, they use Kogi Bokucho Binchotan (high-grade binchotan charcoal), which grills the chicken to a juicy finish with a nice smoky aroma.

The sasami (chicken tenderloin) comes with an ethnic-style yellow chive sauce, while the hatsu (chicken heart) and negima (chicken and scallion skewer) are seasoned with black pepper, and this range of flavors is also well received.

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The creamy and smooth jikasei reba pate (house-made liver pâté) goes perfectly with the fragrant toasted baguette. People also love the light aroma of butter.

Its rich and full-bodied flavor pairs perfectly with wine. It is said to be so good that some people order another serving.

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Kurashiki Shubo Den is an izakaya in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, a 2-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station. It is a place where you can enjoy tasty yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and fish from the Setonaikai (Seto Inland Sea).

The interior is a spacious space with 60 seats in total. There is also counter seating with a view of the grill, making it easy to visit whether you are on your own or with a group.

Photograph:東雲稲荷

The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) are skewered fresh in-house every day and carefully grilled over charcoal.

The “Negimi” is a dish you will crave, with flavorful chicken and the great aroma of green onion. Careful grilling gives it a plump and juicy texture that people love.

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Sawara aburi sashi (lightly seared Spanish mackerel sashimi) is a local dish from Okayama Prefecture. It has a light taste, but depending on the season, the fish gets rich with fat and takes on a pleasantly firm texture.

It is seared and salted after you order, so it has a nice toasty aroma, and you can enjoy the natural flavor of the fish even without adding anything.

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Nishikawa Rumba is a yakitori restaurant about a 7-minute walk from JR Okayama Station, located along Nishikawa Koen-suji (Nishikawa Park Street). You can also enjoy a wide variety of obanzai (Kyoto-style home dishes) and drinks.

The spacious two-story interior includes counter seats and Private room options. It is an easy place to visit whether you are on your own or with a large group.

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This restaurant offers a wide range of menu items, but its large yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) are especially popular for how good they are. Both the shio (salt) and tare (sweet soy sauce glaze) seasonings get great reviews.

The yakitori chef grills each skewer with care, so the cooking is said to be spot on. The plump, springy texture is hard to resist.

Photograph:源ちゃん1980

The "obanzai (Kyoto-style home-style side dishes) assortment" in the photo includes items like "aigamo (domestic duck) simmered roast" and "sansai (mountain vegetables) namul," and it is well liked for being hearty and colorful.

"Obanzai" refers to simple, home-style side dishes, but the obanzai here is said to be carefully prepared with a refined taste.

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Kushiyaki Nodonomabashi is a small restaurant on Nishigawa Ryokudo Koen-suji, about a 10-minute walk from JR Okayama Station. You can enjoy yakitori and other à la carte dishes along with drinks.

It has a homey atmosphere, with counter seating and about 6 tables.

Photograph:胃に亀おる人

The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is carefully grilled over charcoal. Even outside the restaurant, the smoky, toasty aroma drifts through the air.

The "All you can drink included plan" is popular for offering a well-balanced selection of juicy yakitori and snacks. It is available for solo diners as well.

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The "Zeppin Horumon Tofu" is a popular dish made by slowly simmering Horumon and Omasum in a creamy white broth, then adding tofu.

The soup has a light taste, but it is packed with the good flavor of Horumon. Its hearty portion is also well liked.

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Yakitori Kushisho Okayama Honten is a yakitori restaurant located about an 8-minute walk from JR Okayama Station, down an alley one street east of Shiyakusho-suji Avenue. Along with yakitori, you can also enjoy grilled skewers of beef, pork, and seafood.

The interior has a calm feel with dim lighting. At the counter seats set around the kitchen, you can watch the cooking up close.

Photograph:いぬひょん。

Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is first served over a plate lined with fresh cabbage, then brought out 1 or 2 skewers at a time. It is a nice touch that lets you enjoy them piping hot.

Along with yakitori, you can enjoy a wide variety of skewers made with different ingredients, including gyu-teki (grilled beef steak), shiso-maki (shiso leaf rolls), and atsuage (deep-fried tofu).

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To finish, a recommended dish is "Hiruzen yakisoba (Hiruzen-style fried noodles)." It is a local specialty from the Hiruzen area of Okayama Prefecture.

It is said to bring together chicken, cabbage, and chewy noodles with a sweet and savory sauce. The sauce is miso-based, with a light hint of garlic. It apparently has a mild, clean taste.

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Just a 2-minute walk from Okayama Station. This restaurant serves tasty sumibi-yakitori (charcoal-grilled chicken skewers) and drinks. The menu also has plenty of options beyond yakitori.

The interior has a Japanese modern style and is said to have a lively atmosphere. There are also stylish designer Private rooms, making it convenient for group visits.

Photograph:ヤキトリおじさん

Each yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) is carefully grilled over charcoal, and people say it is fragrant and delicious.

Along with yakitori, popular kushiyaki (grilled skewers) include "Tomato Bacon," with tomato wrapped in bacon, "Shiso Bacon," with shiso (perilla) wrapped in bacon, and "Pork Belly."

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The "Kieru Maho no Dashimaki Tamago (magical disappearing rolled omelet with dashi)" is surprisingly large and very filling. People love its fluffy texture and gentle flavor.

Drinks and dishes are served at a quick, steady pace. The cheerful service is also said to make for a fun time.

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Sumitorikoya is a small yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant on the west side of Okayama Station, along the Shido Izumi-cho Aoe Line.

It operates out of a shared space at a place called Shiroya and opens in the evening. You can enjoy great yakitori made with careful attention to the ingredients and seasoning.

Photograph:胃に亀おる人

Each yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) is carefully prepared by hand at the restaurant, one skewer at a time. After you order, they grill it over charcoal with care.

The standard momo (thigh) and negima (chicken and scallion) use Olive Jidori (olive-fed local chicken), known for being lean and full of flavor. You can also enjoy rare cuts like hanger steak and tsunagi (part connecting the heart and liver).

Photograph:keyturn312

The "Jikasei Reba Pate (house-made liver pâté)" is popular for its rich flavor. They make it by simmering the liver for 3 hours.

It comes with bread on the side and has plenty of volume. It has no off notes, so you can enjoy the pâté even on its own.