10 spots to satisfy your Yakitori and Kushiyaki cravings

Cooking meat over an open flame is the oldest cooking method we humans have created. The resulting char and smoky taste further elevate the protein’s savoury nature, making it an option many will find difficult to resist. Locally, we have satay. Then there’s the growing popularity of Chinese skewers or chuan chuan. And from Japan, there’s yakitori. While yakitori means “grilled bird”, it has grown to encompass more than just chicken, including pork, beef, seafood, and vegetables. Besides the instantly recognisable Tori-Q, yakitori is also popular in izakayas, where these barbecued skewers are matchmade with beer and sake.

Sa Tae Bak

Sa Tae Bak, or “three stacks of meat” in Hokkien, is a play on words that refers to skewered meat. Apart from its Bali Lane location, the Japanese yakitori bar recently unveiled a new outlet along Changi Road. Recommended skewers include Chicken Thigh, Mid Wing, Enoki Bacon, Rice Cake Bacon, Grilled Unagi, and Japan A5 Wagyu Sirloin Beef Skewer. You will find fresh oysters, sashimi, and desserts too.

Sa Tae Bak is at 31 Bali Ln, Singapore 189867 and 318 Changi Rd, Singapore 419793. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Nanbantei

Nanbantei has over four decades of experience serving yakitori in Singapore, beginning in Far East Plaza before opening a branch in Chinatown Point in 2016. Here, you get to watch the chefs prepare your skewered meat, seafood, and vegetables over an open flame. The restaurant also uses seasonal produce shipped from Japan. Fan favourites here include Chicken Meat Balls ($8.50), Chicken Wings ($9.70), and Wagyu Beef ($24.50). Big eaters can opt for the bento sets and donburi that come with rice.

Nanbantei is at 14 Scotts Rd, #05-132 Far East Plaza, Singapore 228213 and 133 New Bridge Rd, #02-40 Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413. Visit its website for more information.

Q-WA Bar and Yakitori

Q-WA Bar and Yakitori is a well-kept secret among the Katong and East Coast residents known for its quality Japanese fare and alcohol. Besides yakitori, where options range from Chicken with Leek ($2.90) to Japanese Squid ($17.80), you will find classics such as katsu, udon, and many appetisers. If you don’t want to be bogged down by choices, consider getting the Chef’s Selection ($23.90-$76.90), where there are five sets to pick from: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Chicken Viscera, and Seafood.

Q-WA Bar and Yakitori is at 39 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428756. 

Skewers Yakitori Izakaya

Japanese food and izakaya culture fans know that Cuppage Plaza in Somerset is a treasure trove with many such restaurants. Skewers Yakitori Izakaya is among the better-regarded ones and local chef Roy Koh started it in November 2023. Chicken is the protein of choice here, with the usual offerings, such as Thigh and Wings ($6.90), to less conventional cuts including Thyroid and Cockscomb ($5.90). Get a bowl of the Signature Mini Chicken Ramen ($12) to slurp up the comforting homemade chicken broth.

Skewers Yakitori Izakaya is at 5 Koek Rd, #04-01 Cuppage Plaza, Singapore 228796. Visit its Facebook for more information. 

Yakitori Yatagarasu/Hanare

Ask any yakitori fan and you will likely hear Yakitori Yatagarasu/Hanare as one of their go-to places for smoky Japanese skewers. Besides various meat parts such as thigh and heart ($3), the restaurant also offers a variety of wrapped pork belly options. These range from the common Enoki Mushroom and Asparagus ($3.80) to in-house specialities Curry Rice ($6), Fried Noodles ($6), and Shiso Leaf ($4.50). The Grilled Rice Ball ($7) is also a top pick for rice lovers.

Yakitori Yatagarasu/Hanare is at 72 Circular Rd, #01-01, Singapore 049426. Visit its Facebook for more information. 

The Skewer Bar

Geylang is a mecca for foodies, so it shouldn’t be surprising to find a yakitori bar there, too. The Skewer Bar was started by a group of food-loving millennials, with Vincent Low and Tan Jun Ann helming the enterprise. Besides the menu of Japanese skewers, the restaurant also offers several local and fusion items, including King Prawn Hae Bee Hiam Pasta ($17.90), Ngoh Hiang Maki ($12.90), and Ondeh Ondeh Onigiri ($8.90).

The Skewer Bar is at 2 Lor 25 Geylang, Singapore 388287. Visit its Facebook for more information. 

Mikawa Yakitori Bar

Mikawa Yakitori Bar is just a short walk from Siglap MRT and a popular spot for delicious, no-frills Japanese nosh. There are two draws here: grilled food and sashimi. The latter is self-explanatory, while the former range from yakitori faves such as Chicken Skin ($2.20) and Chicken Meat Ball ($3.50) to grilled meats such as Sliced Iberico Pork with Truffle Sauce ($12) and Ox Tongue Steak ($15).

Mikawa Yakitori Bar is at 81 Upper E Coast Rd, Goodwill Court, Singapore 455220. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Shirokane Tori-Tama

Shirokane Tori-Tama is part of the Toritama group of restaurants, which hails from Japan and has overseas outposts in Singapore and Bangkok. The brand was once awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, the only yakitori restaurant in Singapore to have received that honour, to be exact. Chicken is the signature protein here, with uncommon parts such as neck, gizzard, cartilage, cockscomb, and oesophagus grilled to perfection.

Shirokane Tori-Tama is at 11 Unity St, #01-02 Robertson Walk, Singapore 237995. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Fukuda Yakitori Dining Singapore

Fancy having a yakitori omakase experience? Fukuda Yakitori Dining Singapore is a petite restaurant with only seven seats and was started by chef-owner Eric Kawasaki, who has over 30 years of grilling yakitori. The Fukuda Yakitori Omakase set ($88+) comes with five kinds of appetisers, 10 types of cooked food, including skewers, a small rice bowl with soup, and ice cream. Those still hungry can add more grilled food from its ala carte menu, such as Lamb Chop ($18.80) and Unagi ($18.80/$28.80).

Fukuda Yakitori Dining Singapore is at 150 Orchard Rd, #01-39 Orchard Plaza, Singapore 238841. Visit its Facebook for more information. 

Kemuri

Kemuri is another option for enjoying a yakitori omakase experience. With only 18 seats available, Kemuri is the sister to the Michelin Plate-awardee Kappo Shunsui. It is helmed by Michio Murakami, who uses fresh ingredients sourced from Japan. Priced at $99++ per pax, the omakase menu features three types of appetisers, 12 kinds of yakitori, Chicken Fillet and Fruits Tomato with Vinegar Jelly, Grated Radish with Salmon Roe, Chawanmushi, and Tori Chicken Soup. There is also an ala carte menu of chicken, wagyu beef, Japanese pork and seafood skewers.

Kemuri is at 5 Koek Road, #04-02 Cuppage Plaza, Singapore 228796. Visit its website for more information.

This article was originally published in Women’s Weekly.