We’ve uncovered more mouth-watering yakitori in Brisbane and beyond than you can poke a stick at. Kanpai!
BIRD’S NEST | WEST END & FORTITUDE VALLEY
Super cute and intimate, Bird’s Nest is the best place to be if you’re after great food to complement good conversation. Specialising in yakitori, Bird’s Nest is the perfect location for a quick sticks business lunch, catching up with friends or a romantic meal for two. Grilled to perfection over white hot charcoal, pick from favourites including chicken tenderloin, pork belly and quail egg – or get adventurous with chicken hearts. Useless at decision making? Us too. Leave it up to the chefs with the ‘omakase’ course, 8 skewers for $38. Warm up your heart (and the chicken hearts) with some of their signature sake.
CHOP CHOP CHANG’S | WEST END
West End’s favourite Asian fusion melting pot isn’t just known for its bomb bao and cult-worthy curries – it’s also famous for stacks of sticks. Choose from garlic ginger tare, king brown mushroom and chicken and shallot or keep it saucy and mix it up with d) all of the above. Knock back a couple of Bintangs and tuck in – chop chop!
IKU YAKITORI | BURLEIGH HEADS
Chasing a sea change? Head to the Gold Coast and straight into Iku Yakitori. Start off with a selection of bites including house pickles and organic silken tofu before you dive into the hot coals of the main event, piles of Yakitori. Cooked over Binchotan coals, these are not your average backyard BBQ kebab. Snack on chicken thigh, tenderloin and wings with schimi and lemon, or for all the vegetarians in the house (holaaaa), zucchini and mushroom with ponzu and sesame.
YAMAGEN | SURFERS PARADISE
Domo arigato Mr Robata grill! Not just skewered towards meat lovers, the selection at Yamagen ranges from classic yakitori and pork belly to halloumi with smoked honey and bonito, and king brown mushroom with truffled hanna. Really want to treat yo’self? Order a Kyoto Old Fashioned (Kakubin whisky, yuzu bitters, gyokoto tea and foam) and ask for the ‘Showa Omakase’ to experience the full menu.
HEYA | FORTITUDE VALLEY
Travel down the staircase into Heya and leave the buzz of the Valley behind for the hidden bars of the Golden Gai. Grab yourself a craft beer or a Kissi Suzuki cocktail (sake, lemon, viet mint and yuzu, yassssss!) and get stuck into chicken yakitori with pickled daikon! Feeling extra peckish? Add a cheeky serve of cheeseburgers spring rolls and you’re in business.
You’ll be yaki-torn on where to start!
