Japan's Famous Grilled Chicken on Stick: Yakitori

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Yuri S.

Last updated : Sep 09, 20221 min read

Yakitori, which literally means "grilled chicken", is another popular festival food in Japan. It is popular in festivals because it is easy to cook in portable food carts, and can easily be eaten while strolling the streets of a typical Japanese festival. The term yakitori may also refer to any grilled food on stick in general.

 

Yakitori is usually made up of small chicken slices alternately combined with vegetables on a bamboo stick. Aside from Japanese festivals, yakitori is also commonly served in izakayas (Japanese restaurant bars), and specialty Japanese grill houses. These restaurants usually offer a wide variety to yakitori by grilling individual chicken parts such as thigh, breast, skin, heart, tail, liver, etc. One of the more popular types of yakitori is called the "negima" which is grilled chicken thigh and scallions. 

 

Other types of meat and veggies can also be used for yakitori. It is usually seasoned with soy sauce. 

 

Photo from justonecookbook.com

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