Yakitori

Yakitori is a staple in Tokyo, and you can find it at countless food stalls and izakayas throughout the city. Yakitori is a Japanese-style grilled chicken dish in which pieces of chicken are skewered using a special skewer called kushi (which can be made from steel or bamboo) and then traditionally grilled over a charcoal fire.

Depending on the cut of the chicken and the method of preparation, there are many types of this dish. An important step in the making of Yakitori is the seasoning, either salty or salty-sweet, which can be done during or after grilling. Salty seasoning is just salt that can sometimes be combined with pepper, while salty-sweet seasoning is tare sauce made from mirin, soy sauce, sake, and sugar.

You can enjoy this delicious dish with your hands, straight from the skewer, and serve it with grilled vegetables on the side, while each bite should be washed down with ice-cold beer. For the best Yakitori, you have to go to Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, also called Memory Lane or Piss Alley. It's a cozy alley with small bars and restaurants that serve delicious yakitori. The sizzle, the smell, and the cozy atmosphere make it feel like a special place.

Main ingredients: chicken, salt, sauce, sake, and sugar

Recommend places: Hatanodai in Tokyo, Japan

Price range: around 100-200 JPY per stick (from approximately $0.7 to $1.3)