Torisako

Torisako is not a place where you wait for skewered yakitori to arrive; it serves tori-yakiniku, with diners grilling chicken themselves on a tabletop grill. Choose salt or sauce, then explore how the different cuts compare. Kyoto jidori thigh is described as having a satisfying bite and rich chicken flavour, while chicken neck is firm and well marbled. Gizzard, heart and flat liver are also on the menu, making it a chance to try cuts you might not usually order. If choosing feels tricky, start with the ‘Choose Your Three’ platter, where you pick three kinds of chicken (1,200 yen), or a daily assortment of seven cuts (3,500 yen). Some diners have said they came expecting yakitori and enjoyed the tabletop grilling style and range of cuts.

Add a small dish between rounds of grilling. Plum, shiso and garlic (380 yen) brings together the tartness of plum and shiso’s fragrance, while zuri-pon (550 yen) is another chicken-based small plate. Fried chicken wings with a sweet-and-spicy sauce cost 1 for 290 pieces or 3 for 780 pieces. One visitor mentioned ordering them as an extra; they are an option when you fancy a chicken dish beyond the grilled meat. Drinks include draft beer (580 yen), lemon sour with lemon juice (500 yen), and Kinmiya Vice made with shiso and plum extract (490 yen). The selection suits a relaxed evening of drinks and small plates as well as a meal focused on grilling chicken.

For a final course, there is Torisako ramen in a soy-based flavour (880 yen) and salt ramen (880 yen). The menu describes Torisako ramen as a soy-based bowl that makes good use of dashi. One diner who chose it to finish their meal found it rich yet clean-tasting. Impressions vary, so choose soy or salt to suit your mood.

There are counter and table seats, and dinner reservations are available.