Simple in theory, hard to master — skewered chicken is a cornerstone of izakayas across Japan, and, of course, a few spots in our city. Here are the best places to get your yakitori fix in Bangkok.
Yakitori is amazingly complex to get right. It’s essential to have some smokiness that can only be accomplished using charcoal grills. Many masters of the craft also only use high-quality binchōtan charcoal, because you need high heat and strong flames with the least amount of water vapour as possible. Then there’s the sheer amount of cuts and preparation methods, as well as the seasoning to make it your own.
These places, from izakayas to more fine dining venues, have the craft down pat. If you’re thinking of having some yakitori in Bangkok, here are the best spots to check out.
[Hero and featured image credit: Nantei Yakitori]
The best places in Bangkok to satisfy your yakitori craving
Kuma No Yakitori
Yakitori takes on many forms due to the diversity in cuts of the chicken, and this restaurant aims to showcase that to the fullest extent. Translated literally to “Bear’s Chicken Skewers,” referring to Chef Yoshinari Takagi’s charm that makes the place as cosy as it is, the restaurant offers what they calls the “ultimate chicken experience.” This allows the people of Bangkok to experience 16 courses highlighting everything you can do with chicken. The seasonal menu has chicken thighs, hearts, and meatballs, even down to the premium eggs.
More info: Kuma No Yakitori
Opening times: Open daily, 5-10.30pm
Location: Rain Hill, 1F, 777 Sukhumvit 47 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phrom Phong, BTS
Google review rating: 4.9/5
Nantei Yakitori
A staple yakitori joint in Silom, Bangkok — Nantei aims to give guests an intimate yet relaxing atmosphere, complete with carefully-selected cuts of chicken and perhaps sake or beer to pair. They have everything you might need after a long day of work: chicken wings grilled until crispy, different cuts grilled over charcoal, yakisoba, and other Japanese classics for those looking for something more filling, and even an umeshu flight. They’re also open during lunch, with heartwarming set lunches.
More info: Nantei Yakitori
Opening times: Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm; 5pm-midnight
Location: 50 Montien Mall room G3, 1st floor Si Phraya, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Nearest station: Sala Daeng, BTS
Google review rating: 4.5/5
Shirokane Tori-Tama
Ekkamai’s Shirokane Tori-Tama celebrates authentic yakitori with experienced chefs from Tokyo. Expect countless ways to prepare chicken meat, from Japanese cuisine and many other parts of the world, cooked beak-to-tail. The open kitchen bang in the middle also lets guests watch chefs working their magic, listening to the music that is the sizzling meat over the grill. Our recommendations are the chicken windpipe, top of heart, and gizzard.
More info: Shirokane Tori-Tama
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 5-11pm
Location: 18 Park Lane Soi Sukhumvit 63 Road Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Ekkamai, BTS
Google review rating: 4.5/5
JUA
If you’re looking for something more out of your comfort zone, yet feels rooted in classics, JUA is the place. Describing themselves as a “modern izakaya,” they’re not afraid to get experimental with their grilled delicacies. Highlights include their chicken meatball served with teriyaki sauce and cured egg yolk, chicken wings with salt and red kampot pepper, and jumbo tiger prawn with durian butter. If you feel spoiled for choice, you can also opt for the omakase experience, where they showcase all that you need for the evening.
More info: JUA
Opening times: Open daily, 6pm-midnight
Location: 672 49 Charoen Krung road, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Nearest station: Hua Lamphong, MRT
Google review rating: 4.4/5
TOUKA
With a big open kitchen in the middle and ample natural light, TOUKA is a great place to unwind from late afternoon till night. The izakaya experience at this spot features include a lot of Japanese classics with their own twist, and of course, a variety of yakitori and other grilled delicacies to choose from. Definite highlights are the kushiyaki set that presents different cuts of grilled chicken, as well as their signature tsukune (chicken meatball) with cheese and truffle.
More info: TOUKA
Opening times: Open daily, 11am-2pm; 5-11pm
Location: 75/1 Sala Daeng 1/1, Si Lom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Nearest station: Silom, MRT
Google review rating: 4.7/5
Jidori Cuisine Ken
Jidori is serious about their yakitori, using Thai chicken meat grilled over binchōtan charcoal, and they’re very selective of which chicken gets to be on their grill. As such, their stock comes in limited quantity each day. Their skewered chicken menu will have you spoiled for choice, with highlights include medium-rare chicken breast with salt and wasabi, chicken liver served with teriyaki sauce, as well as the sori (chicken oyster) that is so soft and chewy. You can also enjoy them in courses, where the team presents you with the best of their yakitori selection.
More info: Jidori Cuisine Ken
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 5pm-midnight
Location: 10 12 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phrom Phong, BTS
Google review rating: 4.3/5
Kelly’s Another
Kelly could give us another skewer, and another, and another, and we will never complain. This underrated Japanese food joint loves to experiment with different ingredients, and their yakitori menu is second to none. Choose your preferred cut, select if you want it grilled with salt or teriyaki sauce (over charcoal, of course), or opt for the omakase experience and let them do the picking for you. Looking to expand your horizons? See if anything from their special menu catches your eye — there’s everything from horse meat, to chicken sashimi, to beef diaphragm.
More info: Kelly’s Another
Opening times: Open daily, 5.30pm-midnight (from 5-11pm on Sun)
Location: 2 35, Sukhumvit 41, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phrom Phong, BTS
Google review rating: 4.4/5
Yebisu Dining
As an izakaya, Yebisu Dining serves up a wide array of Japanese classics izakayas are known for, but they surely don’t skimp out on their yakitori. In fact, their grilled selection is massive with a lot of ingredients to choose from, from pork stomach, to Japanese sticky yams. Yebisu’s yakitori menu has a lot of different cuts, including gizzards and thighs, but their yakitori set has five random cuts for a discounted price.
More info: Yebisu Dining
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 11.30am-11pm
Location: 361/1 Silom 7 Alley, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
Nearest station: Sala Daeng, BTS
Google review rating: 4.8/5
Aburi Ishida
Sukhumvit 51’s Aburi Ishida is a yakitori spot in Bangkok that may be small in size, but definitely packs a punch when it comes to flavours. From neck, to heart, different cuts of chicken can be selected to your preference — select them in five or ten skewers and enjoy a discount. Be sure to get some sides for the full experience, including chicken liver sashimi and their pasta of the day.
More info: Aburi Ishida
Opening times: Open daily, 5.30-11pm
Location: 99, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Thonglor, BTS
Google review rating: 4.3/5
Frequently Asked Questions
Yakitori is a staple at izakayas. They offer a quick and easy experience, perfect to pair with beers or spirits.
There are so many yakitori spots in Bangkok, including JUA, Kelly's Another, and Kuma No Yakitori. Browse our list to view them all.
Pick from your preferred cuts of chicken. Thighs and wings are the most popular, but gizzards, hearts, and intestines are very chewy, soft, and worth a try.
Beer and sake are among the most popular choices, with drier ones better complimenting the saltiness of the yakitori.
Tags
Written by
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day, skinny legend by night, "Kook" Vichayuth works closely with Bangkok's F&B industry. His hobbies include bar-hopping, catching up with friends, and silently judging you from across the room.
Most Popular
