Torisaki Jikou Kyoto

Nestled in a quiet alley of Karasuma Oike, the renowned restaurant "Tori Saki" stands gracefully. The beautiful machiya-style architecture retains the charm of the ancient capital, exuding a modest yet dignified presence. The low entrance, where one must bow to enter, feels like sneaking into an adult's hideaway. From the moment you step inside, the refined aroma of charcoal wafts through the air, quietly stimulating your appetite and anticipation.To start, a colorful assortment of pickles prepares the palate before the skewers arrive. A delightful addition is the grated daikon radish served as a palate cleanser. The sharpness and richness of the accompanying soy sauce stand out, making it hard to resist reaching for more while waiting for the skewers.Now, let’s begin with the skewers. The first skewer served is "momo" (chicken thigh). The moment you take a bite, a powerful sensation rushes through you. Juicy meat juices burst forth from the crispy, fragrant skin, delivering the rich umami of the chicken, complemented by the smoky aroma of the charcoal.Suddenly, I recall the roast from "Kyomatsuran" in Osaka's Kyobashi. That place also serves an outstanding roast as the first dish. A restaurant confident in its flavors boldly presents the main dish right from the start. Capturing your heart in one bite, the course structure maintains that excitement until the end. The ability to control the cooking process and presentation is a hallmark of top-tier establishments.Each subsequent skewer captivates with its unique expression and texture. The delightful crunch and clear umami of "zuri" (chicken gizzard). The sweet fat and chewy muscle flavors intertwine in "seseri" (chicken neck). The juicy "shiitake" mushrooms, kissed by the charcoal, release their savory essence, while "maruhatsu" (chicken heart) offers a burst of meat juices and deep richness. The robust umami of "kata" (shoulder) floods your mouth with each bite. The "gold rush" bursts with a rich sweetness, and the "tsukune" (chicken meatball) melts in your mouth, packed with flavor.The "chochin" (chicken lantern) pops in your mouth, with its rich yolk blending beautifully. The pre-cooking performance is a perfect photo opportunity, showcasing the chef's dedication to entertainment.The "atsuage" (thick fried tofu) highlights the roasted flavor and sweetness of soybeans, sourced from a renowned establishment. It’s so savory, it almost tastes like meat.Then, savor the "tebasaki" (chicken wings), where you can enjoy the rich flavors of fat and meat around the bones. Each skewer showcases exceptional cooking skills, achieving a level of perfection that leaves you in awe.And now, for the grand finale. Savor the concentrated flavors of the "soboro don" (minced meat rice bowl), followed by the golden "oyakodon" (parent-and-child rice bowl). Unable to resist the harmonious blend of broth and melting egg, I surprisingly ordered a second "oyakodon" and enjoyed it to my heart's content.Finally, I refresh my palate with the juicy "Shine Muscat" grapes. Before leaving, I take a photo with the chef who created such an exquisite experience, leaving the restaurant with a sense of fulfillment.The bill came to just under JPY 27,000. At first glance, it may seem a bit pricey, but considering the uncompromising selection of ingredients, the masterful cooking techniques, and the satisfaction of devouring two bowls of "oyakodon," it’s undoubtedly worth every penny.As I pass through the low exit, I step back into the night breeze of Kyoto, savoring the lingering aroma of charcoal on my palate as I quietly head home. Once home, I’ll enjoy the takeout bento I purchased. (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)I will make a reservation again. It was a great meal. Less

I made a reservation a few months ago and finally visited Tori Saki, which I had been looking forward to for a long time! We started at 6 PM on a weekday, and the place was fully booked! The menu featured only one appetizer, a pickled dish, but this restaurant truly excels in grilled skewers, and they were absolutely delicious! I particularly loved the chicken neck and tsukune (chicken meatball); they were juicy and incredibly tasty! For the finale, I enjoyed a bit of both oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) and soborodon (minced meat rice bowl). They were so delicious that I could have eaten more! Above all, the hospitality was outstanding! The staff was attentive and quick to offer drinks, providing a genuinely pleasant dining experience. It's a challenging place to get a reservation, but I definitely want to visit again! Less

This time, I was invited by a follower to the highly sought-after yakitori restaurant, Tori Saki, which I had long admired! Thank you so much for the invitation.As soon as I took my seat, I was captivated by the chef's incredibly graceful movements. It was hard to believe he was handling the glowing charcoal right in front of me; the grilling area felt like a stage, drawing me in completely.Here’s the menu we enjoyed:Skewers: Chicken thigh, gizzards, neck, heart, wing, liver, and chouchin (chicken tail).Side dishes: Shiitake mushrooms, corn (Hokkaido Gold Rush), and fried tofu (Kyoto's Namikawa Shoten).Rice and soup: Mini-sized oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) and soboro don (minced chicken rice bowl), along with chicken soup.Dessert: Shine Muscat grapes from Yamanashi Prefecture.What truly impressed me was the overwhelming quality of the ingredients and the exquisite grilling technique that maximized their flavors.The gizzards had a delightful crunch and fresh texture that was evident the moment I took a bite. The chicken wings were generously meaty, bursting with juicy flavors and a sweet richness with every bite!Moreover, the chouchin should be enjoyed in one bite. The creamy richness of the ginkgo and the juicy umami of the meat harmonized perfectly, making me involuntarily close my eyes in bliss.And here’s a personal revelation: I have always had a strong aversion to liver. However, the liver at Tori Saki had no unpleasant odor whatsoever, and I couldn’t believe how delicious it was—I finished it all! The chef's skill is truly remarkable, turning even my least favorite ingredient into something delightful.Not only the meat but also the sweet burst of Gold Rush corn and the crispy outside yet fluffy inside fried tofu were all star players in this meal. To finish, the mini-sized oyakodon and soboro don allowed me to enjoy both, making it a luxurious experience. The entire course, right down to the Shine Muscat grapes, was flawless.The happiness lingered even after returning home.I left the restaurant completely satisfied, but the fun wasn’t over yet!Finally, I took home a pre-ordered bento as takeout.I was eager to relive the excitement of that freshly grilled flavor, so as soon as I got home, I opened the lid! The deliciousness of the yakitori and the aroma of the charcoal had thoroughly infused the rice. It was delicious even when cold, but the flavors had perfectly melded together in this one box, truly making it a **"supreme bento."**From the elegant time at the restaurant to the blissful bento experience at home, it was truly the best day. I wholeheartedly recommend this exceptional restaurant and can’t wait to savor it again! Less

I visited the renowned yakitori restaurant "Tori Saki" for the second time this month. I enjoyed three bottles of beer with pickled vegetables, followed by a generous amount of Japanese sake. I started with the chicken thigh skewers! Then I had a course of 11 skewers including sand liver, chicken neck, shiitake mushrooms, maruhatsu, shoulder meat, tsukune, corn, chōchin, thick fried tofu, and chicken wings! For the rice bowl, I can choose between soboro don or oyakodon, but I always ask for a mini of both. Everything from the sweet vinegar vegetables to the skewers and rice bowls was delicious! Even the daikon radish served as a palate cleanser was surprisingly sweet and tasty; when paired with soy sauce and sansho pepper, it becomes the perfect accompaniment to drinks. Once again, I had a wonderful time enjoying delicious food and left completely satisfied. It was a great meal! Less

I visited Tori Saki in Kyoto for the first time in a while with my husband and daughter for a delightful meal.Since it was hot, we started with a refreshing beer—cheers with Sapporo Lager Aka boshi!We began with some pickled dishes, which always gets me excited!Watching the chef prepare yakitori live, the hot and juicy skewers kept coming to our table.Both my daughter and I are not fond of offal, but we can eat the heart and liver from Tori Saki! There must be something special about them.I could taste the liver on the skewer a bit more than usual, but it was still easy to eat.Of course, the yakitori was fantastic, but the "Soboro Don" and "Oyakodon" served at the end were exquisite!You can choose between regular size, smaller size, or even just one of each.I was already full by the time we got to the rice bowls, but I really wanted to try both!I decided to order the smaller sizes with less rice for both.So delicious! It was just as good as I remembered!I wish they would offer these two rice bowls for lunch!Even though I got the smaller size, I couldn't finish it in one bite and had to pass some to my husband.I also finished his dessert, as there's always room for sweets!No matter how many times I visit, the yakitori is always delicious—truly the best.The staff's service was excellent, and we had a wonderful time.I definitely want to come back again.It was a great meal! Less

I visited shortly after it opened, and back then, I remember the skewers were quite large, making it challenging to finish the course. However, when I went recently, everything was perfectly sized, allowing me to enjoy each dish thoroughly. It was a meal that can only be described as "delicious."The atmosphere of the restaurant and the attentive service from the staff were also commendable.I was very satisfied.The impression that the portions were large might just be my personal perception, so please take that with a grain of salt... Less

I visited during the Gion Festival, and the U-shaped counter was fully occupied. I was the only solo customer, but I felt well taken care of and comfortable. I was able to watch the grilling process closely, and I was impressed by the meticulous and careful way the food was prepared. I truly enjoyed the experience visually as well. I ended up drinking quite a bit, but this place truly lives up to its reputation as a renowned establishment. I would love to invite friends and visit again.(Serving Order)Chicken ThighGizzardNeck with LemonShiitake MushroomHeartShoulder with LemonNagano Prefecture Gold RushTsukune (Chicken Meatball)Liver with Egg YolkThick Fried Tofu from Nakagawa Shoten, KyotoChicken WingsMini Rice Bowl (Oyakodon & Soboro Don)Sato Nishiki Cherries from Hokkaido and Shizuoka Prefecture Mask Melon. Less

Today's order:▫️Omakase Course JPY 16,000▪︎ Pickled cucumber, daikon, and myoga▪︎ Grated daikon▪︎ Chicken thigh▪︎ Gizzard▪︎ Neck meat▪︎ Shiitake mushrooms▪︎ Maruhatsu (chicken tail)▪︎ Shoulder meat▪︎ Gold Rush (chicken)▪︎ Tsukune (chicken meatball)▪︎ Chouchin (chicken tail)▪︎ Thick fried tofu▪︎ Chicken wings▪︎ Bonjiri (additional skewer)▪︎ Oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) & Torisoboro-don (chicken minced meat rice bowl)▪︎ Chicken soup▪︎ Dessert: Yamakada Sato Nishiki cherries & Shizuoka musk melonThe U-shaped counter surrounds the chef, creating an inviting atmosphere. Watching the salt being sprinkled on each skewer makes my stomach growl. The meal is served as a single course, with the possibility of additional items depending on the day's ingredients. Dishes are served at a pace of one skewer or one dish every 10 minutes, taking about 3 hours in total.The default includes 8 chicken skewers, 2 vegetable skewers, thick fried tofu, finishing rice, chicken soup, and dessert. The chicken skewers are cooked to perfection—never overdone, juicy, and tender throughout.Personally, I particularly enjoyed the maruhatsu, tsukune, and chicken wings, all of which were more delicious than anything I've had before.Before the finishing rice, they check if I want to order anything additional or how I would like to proceed with the rice. There is no menu for additional items, and on this day, the only option was bonjiri, which I ordered. The seasoning and texture were delightful.Since I had some room left, I ordered both types of finishing rice in regular size. Smaller portions are also available. The pickled vegetables served at the beginning were just enough, but I could refill the grated daikon as much as I wanted. Drizzling the special sauce over the grated daikon was a perfect palate cleanser and very tasty.The service was attentive and pleasant, and I enjoyed chatting with the chef. The photos are in the order of the course.It was a great meal!• Tabelog rating over 4.0, Bronze store• First yakitori restaurant in Kyoto to receive a Michelin star－－Store Information－－－－－－－－－－－－－@torisaki_kyoto Tori Saki▪︎ 292-1 Takoyakushi-cho, Muromachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City▪︎ Nearest station: 2-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station▪︎ Business hours: 18:00-21:00, Reservation only▪︎ Closed: Sundays and New Year holidays▪︎ Phone: 075-252-6789▪︎ Reservations: Not accepted▪︎ Seating: 19 seats (15 at the counter + 4 in private room)▪︎ Service charge: 12%▪︎ Payment: Cash, Card▪︎ Opened: November 5, 2019Information as of June 17, 2026. Less

This is the most difficult-to-reserve high-end yakitori restaurant in Kyoto. Despite being in a well-frequented area, I had never noticed it until now. The chef and his apprentices, all sporting shaved heads and traditional headbands, create a refreshing atmosphere. Starting with the thigh meat, each yakitori skewer is freshly prepared right before serving, boasting a firm texture without any of the typical chicken odor. The especially remarkable items are the sunagimo (gizzard), heart, and chouchin (chicken tail), and the grated daikon radish is promptly replenished when it runs out. The service is attentive yet understated, providing a pleasant hospitality experience. The recommended Japanese sake was delicious, and I ended up drinking a bit too much. While the prices are on the higher side for yakitori, the quality justifies it. This is a completely different experience from any yakitori I've had before, and I definitely want to visit again. Less