Mention “meat”, and most Malaysians will hardly turn you down. Meat is no doubt just one of many food items that we love to feast on, and one version happens to be yakitori, which is basically a Japanese version of grilled chicken skewers. These bite-sized pieces are typically available in different parts such as thigh, breast, neck and skin. Best enjoyed with a bottle of sake or beer, here are the recommended Top 10 Yakitori Restaurants in KL & Selangor to satisfy your meat cravings.
1) Yakitori HAKI
Located at Cheras Business Centre, Yakitori Haki specialises in both yakitori (grilled chicken) and kushiyaki (grilled skewers). For the former, patrons can choose from different parts of the chicken such as drumstick, skin, wing and gizzard. Sets are also available, which comes with four yakitori and colourful side dishes including the likes of watermelon slices, salad and chawanmushi (steamed egg custard). Keep in mind that if you are strictly here for yakitori, they only start grilling using charcoal fire from 6 pm onwards.
FB: Yakitorihakicheras | IG: @yakitorihaki_cheras
2) Sourakuya Yakitori
This Klang-based Japanese restaurant offers a wide variety of yakitori and other grilled meat & vegetable skewers to choose from. The place itself is both cosy and spacious, with minimalist industrial-like decor adorning both indoor and outdoor seating. Open daily from 12 pm to 12 am, you can locate Sourakuya Yakitori at No 2-0, Jalan Remia 5 in Bandar Botanik Klang.
3) Toridoki
Hailing all the way from Tokyo, Toridoki is best known for its signature Japanese yakitori dishes. They particularly pride themselves in offering yakitori as authentically as possible, just like how Japanese chefs prepare and serve them back in their homeland. The chicken is all charcoal-grilled, with a total of 11 different parts ranging from seseri (neck) to bonjiri (tail) and yagen nankotsu (soft bone). If you are a first-timer, do try their recommended toridoki — a savoury combination of skewered chicken thigh and breast wrapped in skin.
toridoki.net | FB: toridokikl
4) Yakitori Dining Fukuda
Yakitori Dining Fukuda has been a mainstay in Desa Sri Hartamas for the past four years and is still going strong even until today. Their secret? Good food, cosy ambience and friendly services. True to its name, they specialise in yakitori dishes such as Negima (chicken thigh with leek), Sasami Wasabi/Ume (chicken fillet) and Kawa (chicken skin). If that’s not enough, they also serve seafood, Iberico pork and even cream cheese skewers.
FB: yakitorifukuda | IG: @yakitoridining
5) MOKU Grill & BBQ
With over 35 different yakitori and kushiyaki to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choices at Moku Grill & BBQ in Bandar Botanic Klang. For yakitori alone, there are different cuts of chicken available ranging from thigh to gizzard and wings. And if you choose to order them, you can have your yakitori cooked with salt or tare sauce (a dipping sauce consisting of mirin, sake, soy sauce and sugar). Not into poultry? Meat lovers can look forward to the likes of pork belly, streaky bacon and sliced lamb shoulder. Best of all, their prices are reasonable.
FB: MokuKlang | IG: @mokuklang
6) Toritama Malaysia
The Tokyo-based Toritama is notable for its authentic yakitori dishes, with different parts of chicken available. This includes chicken breast, neck, tail and liver — all carefully seasoned and grilled to juicy perfection. Not sure what to order? You can always opt for their O-susume course, which is basically an omakase-style that allows the chef to choose what’s best for you. Depending on the prices, the aforementioned course comes in either 7, 10 or 12 skewers.
FB: toritamamalaysia | IG: @toritamamy
7) Maruhi Sakaba
Don’t be fooled by its plain-looking decor since Maruhi Sakaba certainly knows a thing or two about serving authentic Japanese BBQ, particularly their smoky yakitori varieties. Their fuss-free menu is simple enough, with basically 4 types of grilled skewers to choose from: chicken, pork, seafood and vegetables. You can locate this joint at No 6A in Faber Plaza, Taman Desa.
FB: Maruhi Sakaba
8) SUMIKA
There are few shophouses in the popular vicinity of SS15 that come and go but Sumika remains standing tall even after all these years. Frankly, it’s easy to see why as they serve only the best and quality yakitori dishes, which are all well-seasoned and flavourful. Here, yakitori lovers can pick different chicken parts such as thigh, skin, heart, hip and wing. And not to forget chicken breast, where it comes with different add-ons ranging from wasabi to mentai and yuzu. Optional menu items include various cuts of beef, pork as well as seafood and vegetables like lady’s fingers and shiitake mushroom.
FB: 炭家 SUMIKA
9) Torikin
Originally from Fukuoka, Japan, Torikin made its international premise back in early 2018 at Lot 10’s J’s Gate Dining. Among their signature dishes include chargrilled chicken yakitori, where you can opt for a la carte or a set of three. And don’t forget to leave some room for a sweet ending to try their recommended Matcha Tiramisu — a creamy tiramisu with matcha powder served in an Instagram-worthy bamboo box.
FB: torikin.lot10 | IG: @torikin.lot10
10) Palillos ‘Spanish Yakitori Bar’
It’s East meets West at Palillos ‘Spanish Yakitori Bar’, a Spanish-Japanese fusion restaurant located at Jalan Mesui offering the best of both worlds. Those who are here for yakitori can look forward to Palillos’ various range of chicken skewers such as skin, thigh, wing, breast and meatball. Their menu is also extended to various grilled pork and vegetable skewer selections. Pair them with one of their house pours, namely the cold Kizakura Karakuchi sake or a glass of Asahi draught beer.
That’s not all! More Top 10s in Malaysia are waiting to be discovered!
The compilation of this list was made from accumulation of Public Votes at TallyPress.com.
