Torihan Azabujuban

Back in the summer of 2023 I stumbled upon a cute little yakitori place while on an extended stay in the Azabujuban Tokyo area. Of course Google reviews in Japan are just so difficult to judge as everything is sub 3.5 stars usually even though it is amazing.

I had walked past Torihan several times and the logo of the chicken just gave me good vibes so I gave it a try. What an amazing yakitori experience.

This year we made it back to Torihan so I could conduct a proper review.

Good vibes

Located off one of the backstreets in Azabu, the restaurant sits roughly 15 people and has a mixture of counter and 'booth' seating, all with a view of the kitchen. We called in advance and secured our favorite seat in the house which is a tiny little corner perfect for a couple.

Most yakitori in Japan are more of a casual affair. Screaming chefs, spilling of beers and drunk salary men vibes. Torihan strays from this, providing an omakase (or a la carte) service in a much more chill setting. It's a date night restaurant if I've ever seen one.

Torihan is helmed by a husband and wife team alone - no other staff. You know when you meet someone for the first time and you instantly get a good feeling about them? It's hard to put into words but you can almost see their aura? Exactly this. Over the course of the meal you can see the love and care that they put into each and every dish.

Myself and the wife opted for an omakase which included several appetizers followed by a mix of yakitori. Almost everything in the course is chicken based.

The Yakitori Omakase

• Assorted chicken pate on crackers
• Chicken breast
• Chicken tail
• Breast with wasabi
• Rare thigh meat
• Achilles
• Yaki onigiri (ordered separately)
• Chicken soup
• Tsukune
• Zucchini
• Gingnan
• Tebasaki
• Negima chicken thigh
• Duck with mushroom
• Harami
• Radish with soy

The chicken quality was mind blowing with every bite bursting with flavor. Not a single stick was dry or overcooked, in fact, most were on the undercooked side - a method you would really only want to trust in Japan.

The meat is regionally sourced within Japan from a self sustaining farm. The chickens are organic, free range and feed on worms and wildlife.

Aside from the various sticks, the yaki onigiri was exceptional. How something so simple can be perfected like this is beyond me. Best I've ever had.

As for drinks we kept it dry that evening, but that didn't stop us from several orders of their homemade fruit vinegar. They had various flavors (lemon, kiwi, calpis and strawberry) all concocted as aged sodas with various health benefits. Incredible taste and so easy to drink.

Pro tip: If you are feeling boozy you can have them spike it with shochu for a buzz (sour).

Gaijin's review

• Food quality: Exceptional/Fresh juicy chicken
• Ambience: Quiet counter seating for small groups or date nights
• Value: Pricey for yakitori but well worth it
• Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
• Price: $$

Torihan has that home-cooked authentic farm-to-table vibe about it. If you are looking for an up-tempo and lively restaurant, keep looking elsewhere. But if you are in the mood for something more relaxing, perhaps for a romantic dinner or chill night with friends, this is the go-to place.

Pricewise it's more expensive than most other yakitori's but it is beyond worth it. Just make sure you really love chicken, given that every dish (bar the duck and beef sticks) is chicken based.

Torihan is one of our top 3 yakitori's in Japan. An absolute must if you are chicken fiends like us.

Torihan Azabujuban

A: 2 Chome-8-7 Azabujuban, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0045, Japan