When comes to chicken on a stick, the Japanese have their own best version known as Yakitori (焼き鳥). The name translates directly to grilled chicken, but Yakitori also exemplifies good times and happy hours in Japan. These chicken skewers are a classic food served at izakaya, Japanese-tapas style pubs, where frosty beer, tasty bites, and jolly chatters are all part of the deal. They are also the kind of iconic food you can find at specialty restaurants that serve nothing else but Yakitori. The good news is that anyone can easily make some really great-tasting yakitori at home. Let me show you how!
Yakitori in Japan
Just like sushi and tempura, Yakitori in Japan is a serious business. At specialty restaurants, the chefs would go as far as sourcing special breeds of chicken from specific regions known for their unique texture and flavors. Various methods of butchering, skewering, and grilling are applied. And the patrons get to choose from an astonishing selection – from breasts, thighs, cartilage, wings, skins, tenderloin, livers to gizzards. Here are the examples you’d get on the menu:
Chicken Thigh (momo, もも)Chicken Breast (mune, むね)Chicken Thigh & Scallion (negima, ねぎま)Chicken Tender (sasami, ささみ)Chicken Skin (kawa, 皮)Chicken Wings (tebasaki, 手羽先)Chicken Tail (bonjiri, ぼんじり)Chicken Cartilage (nankotsu, 軟骨)Chicken Heart (hatsu, ハツ)Chicken Liver (rebā, レバー)Chicken Gizzard (sunagimo, 砂肝)
Here, I’m sharing one of the most popular yakitori dishes called Negima Yakitori – chicken thigh and scallion skewer. This is a super easy recipe you’ll love!
3 Quick Tips for Making Delicious Yakitori
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They stay juicy and more flavorful compared to breasts.Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading the ingredients.Alternate the chicken with big pieces of scallion on skewers, and make sure they are tightly snugged to each other.
The Seasonings (Shio or Tare)
Most yakitori joints will only offer two simple flavorings: salt (shio) or yakitori sauce (“tare” is pronounced [tareh]). Tare is made of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. I tested several sauces over the years and we like this version best. It has a good balance between sweet and salty. You can add ginger and other ingredients for the sauce, but in this case, a minimalist is a great approach. For the purest taste of grilled chicken, you can go without the sauce and simply sprinkle salt before grilling. It’s really amazing how the meat can transform into something so delicious with simple treatments.
Bamboo Skewers for Yakitori
For yakitori, the skewers are usually made from bamboo. The typical skewers are called “teppogushi” (literally means “gun skewer” from its shape). The tapered skewers have a flat tab on one end which makes them easier to turn or hold. They also won’t roll on the grill and allow the chef to grill one side at a time.
Easy Oven Broil Method
While you may not be able to create the atmosphere of yakitori joints, you won’t go wrong with this easy oven broil method that I share here. Start by making the tare sauce, then thread the chicken and scallions into skewers. When ready to grill, set the broiler on high at 500ºF, and let the oven does the job. Within 15 minutes, you’d be rewarded with some nicely char-grilled results for the chicken. The recipe works great for the outdoor grill too.
Itadakimasu!
I love that we can easily recreate this izakaya favorite without any fuss. They are great as a main dish or as an appetizer or as a snack for movie night. There is really nothing not to love about these delicious chicken on the sticks. Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram. Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Apr 13, 2014. The post has been updated and republished in July 2020.
