Yakitori

Name: Yakitori
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 2 to 4 servings
Cuisine: Japanese Menu
Ingredients: Soy Sauce — 120ml; Sugar — 50g; Sake — 60ml; Mirin — 60ml; Chicken Thighs — 450g; Spring Onions — 2; Vegetable Oil — To taste; Sea Salt — To taste

This authentic Japanese yakitori features tender, succulent chicken thigh cubes and sweet spring onions skewered and pan-seared to juicy perfection. Glazed in a rich, glossy tare sauce made from soy sauce, sake, and mirin, these smoky skewers deliver an irresistible balance of sweet and savoury flavours that brings the lively atmosphere of a traditional Tokyo izakaya straight to your kitchen table.

Cuisines

Cooking Instructions

Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes

Servings: 2 to 4

Notes:

Bamboo skewers should be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking to prevent them from scorching or catching fire during the frying process.

Using chicken thighs is highly recommended over breast meat because the higher fat content keeps the skewers succulent, juicy, and flavourful.

Simmer the tare glaze until it reduces and thickens to a light syrup, ensuring it clings evenly to the cooked skewers without running off.

If you prefer the classic shio style, skip the tare sauce entirely and simply season the raw chicken skewers generously with good-quality sea salt before cooking.

Although traditionally grilled over charcoal for an authentic smoky finish, pan-frying in a lightly oiled pan on medium-high heat achieves a wonderfully golden, appetising sear at home.

Soak Skewers
Submerge the bamboo skewers in cold water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during cooking.

Make Tare Sauce
Combine the soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly thickened and syrupy.

Assemble Skewers
Cut the chicken thighs and the white parts of the spring onions into 25mm pieces, then thread them alternately onto the soaked bamboo skewers.

Pan Fry
Heat a thin layer of oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the skewers, and cook for 5 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through.

Glaze and Serve
Immediately dip the hot cooked skewers into the tare sauce or brush generously all over, and serve hot with a cold beverage.