As I’m composing this blog post, I’ve come to realize that I’ve never visited a restaurant dedicated to just grilled skewers in Toronto. Sure I’ve ordered skewers here and there when its offered but never had the opportunity to visit a restaurant specializing in just yakitori. Nonetheless, I’m delighted to share my “first official” yakitori experience with you.
Established in the winter of 2014 above KINTON RAMEN 2, KINTORI YAKITORI (Twitter: @KintoriYakitori / Instagram: KintoriYakitori) is a cozy tapa-style eatery specializing in delectable drinks and authentic Japanese grilled skewers, or “yakitori”. KINTORI YAKITORI serve bite-size pieces of the finest meat and veggies held together by bamboo skewers imported from Japan and cooked over a charcoal fire. Staying true to the tradition of Japanese grilled cuisine, KINTORI YAKITORI uses Binchotan charcoal imported from Japan. Made from oak, Binchotan charcoal creates the perfect grilling conditions for yakitori, emitting no smoke or unpleasant odours.
Chicken Original Soup
Oshinko Moriawase
- assorted housemade Japanese pickles
Negima
- chicken thigh & tokyo scallion
Zuri
- Chicken gizzard
Nikumiso Kyabetsu
- cabbage salad with housemade chicken miso dip
Tebasaki
- chicken wing
Uzura Kushi Age
- panko breaded deep fried quail egg
Premium Gyu-Tongue
- premium beef tongue
Tsukune
- chicken meatball
Hatsu
- Chicken Heart
Reba
- Chicken Liver
Asparagus
- panko breaded deep-fried asparagus wrapped with bacon
Negi Shio Gyu
- beef with scallion sauce
Dashi Maki
- Japanese omelette
Yaki Onigiri
- char-grilled rice ball with plum filling and sweet terriyaki sauce
Houji Cha Brulee
- roasted green tea crème brulee
My first official yakitori was quite the experience. It definitely pushed me out of my boundaries and gave me a new perspective on items I was previously reluctant to try – and by that I mean organs. Nonetheless, Chicken Gizzard and Chicken Heart turned out to be one of my favourites that evening. The texture is quite the something else (gizzard being a bit chewy) but it tasted amazing. I also really enjoyed the beef tongue and beef with scallion sauce (incredibly juicy)! The sauces used here were subtle and never overpowering which enabled the natural taste of the meats to shine through.
It’s always satisfying to indulge in an entire meal of pure meat. All skewers were prepared really well – everything during this tasting was pleasant on the palette (no smoke or unpleasant odours) I can’t wait to come back – Thank you for making this such a great experience!
This meal was complimentary but Foodinthecitytoronto.com remains unbiased in our content.
