Torikizoku, the budget yakitori restaurant chain

A tempting formula and 30 years of success

Founded in 1986 in Osaka, the Torikizoku chain offers a simple, tried-and-tested formula: a wide selection of charcoal-grilled chicken skewers and side dishes, all at a very attractive price. No wonder the brand's 300-odd restaurants are packed to the rafters, with a clientele made up mainly of young employees and students. Be prepared to wait a while for a table, especially at weekends!

With 680 restaurants across Japan, Torikizoku continues to grow after more than 30 years in business. They can now be found in every major city in the archipelago, from Fukuoka to Sapporo, not forgetting Tokyo, which alone boasts over 150 establishments. The lively Shinjuku district is home to no fewer than 15!

A wide choice of delicious yakitori skewers and side dishes

At Torikizoku, you can enjoy all parts of the chicken prepared on grilled skewers: thighs, breasts, wings, skins, cartilage, liver, heart... There's something for every taste! Skewers are seasoned either with salt (shio), or with a sweet and sour sauce (tare) based on soy sauce. The menu also includes other meats (pork, beef) as well as vegetables and mushrooms (stuffed peppers, asparagus with bacon...).

As a side dish, you can order izakaya classics such as fried chicken (karaage), pickled vegetables, small rice or ramen dishes, etc. There's plenty of food on the table for you to choose from!

The Torikizoku restaurant at Shinjuku Kuyakusho-dori, an iconic establishment

Easy ordering despite the language barrier

At Torikizoku, you don't need to speak Japanese to order. Menus are illustrated with photos of the dishes, making it easy to choose what you fancy. In some restaurants, such as Shinjuku Kuyakusho-dori, you can even use a tablet with an English-language menu. And if in doubt, don't hesitate to ask the staff, who'll be happy to guide you.

Good to know: you'll have to press the bell on the table to place your order, as is customary in izakaya. Once you've been served, all you have to do is toast with the famous "kanpai" before enjoying your skewers!

The star kebabs to try

Among the dozens of skewers on offer, some are particularly popular and well worth the detour. Don't hesitate to try :

• Tsukune, delicious chicken dumplings seasoned with salt
• Tebasaki, crispy grilled chicken wings
• Piman Nikuzume, peppers stuffed with chicken
• Mune, melting pieces of chicken breast
• Gyukushi, thin slices of marinated beef

Beverages to accompany yakitori: beers, spirits and juices

To accompany your yakitori feast, Torikizoku offers a fine selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The star of the range is Japanese draught beer, light and thirst-quenching. You can also opt for wine, cocktails, sake, Japanese whisky,umeshu (plum alcohol) or soft drinks.

A little extra: some restaurants offer special limited-edition drinks that change with the seasons, such as a delicious tangerine wine served on the rocks. Add a touch of originality to your yakitori evenings!

Practical advice: arrive early, make reservations, smoking and non-smoking restaurants

To make the most of your experience at Torikizoku, here are a few tips:

• Arrive early in the evening (around 5-6 p.m.) to be sure of getting a seat quickly, especially on weekends. Otherwise, expect to wait at least 1 hour.
• If there are 4 or more of you, remember to reserve your table in advance. You can do this by phone or on the website, in Japanese.
• Most Torikizoku restaurants are smoke-free, but 25 establishments offer 100% non-smoking areas. Find out more before choosing your destination.

You're all set for a 100% Japanese experience of going out, seeing & drinking, in a friendly atmosphere and at a very low price. Itadakimasu and kanpai!