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Dec 07 2021 18 Comments

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The other week I walked past where the little shack in the last photo was and found a modern, much less shack-like structure going up in its place. The new shop isn’t going to be serving grilled chicken like the old one either, but it will at least be staying in the family, so it’s an evolution of sorts rather than an ending. A sight that led my mind to other, somewhat similar places, which in turn resulted in the series below. A celebration in a way of the simple pleasure of simple food that’s been very simply grilled and seasoned. An always available treat that’s absolutely impossible to tire of, especially when coupled with one’s alcoholic beverage of choice.

For what it’s worth, most of them are Tokyo establishments, except numbers seven and eight, which, if memory serves, were located in Nagano and Hokkaido respectively. Also, aside from the previously mentioned demolition, the only other place I know that almost certainly isn’t a going concern anymore is the stall in photo number four. The rest of them I’m happy to report are (more than likely) still in operation.

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

The simple joy of very simply grilled Japanese food

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Frank says

    12/7/2021 at 8:59 am

    Flashbacks to Shinjuku in the late 90s. Chicken skin is best.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/7/2021 at 4:42 pm

      Thankfully some things don’t change. Probably tsukune for me.

      Reply
  2. Sean says

    12/7/2021 at 10:22 am

    Awesome series! I like the atmosphere of the first shot so much.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/7/2021 at 4:43 pm

      Thanks a lot. Very pleased with how that one came out. It all came together nicely.

      Reply
  3. Günter says

    12/7/2021 at 12:01 pm

    I’m sure all would be good but I would most like to drink in the first one. I have never been in anywhere like that!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/7/2021 at 4:44 pm

      There’s probably nowhere else quite like that. A very special place for sure.

      Reply
  4. YTSL says

    12/7/2021 at 3:42 pm

    Great pics. Happy to know that Kabuto’s still around (or, at least, that you think so)! Have only been there three times but each time has been memorable for the wonderful atmosphere and very tasty eel!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/7/2021 at 4:46 pm

      Cheers. I can happily say for certain that it is still going. Did worry a little during the state of emergencies, but went past the other day and there was actually a queue. Not seen that for a long time.

      Reply
  5. Ken C says

    12/7/2021 at 7:17 pm

    Yakitori plus beer or Nihon-shu is my favourite way to relax with Japanese friends after work. I am honorary Director of Yakitori for a pharmaceutical company and we once found an amazing place near Kofu in Yamagushi pref. but the fun is trying so many different places.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/8/2021 at 11:38 am

      Yeah, it’s very tough to beat. It really is. And director of Yakitori sounds like the best job in the world. I do go back to the same places sometimes, but I couldn’t agree more. Always a lot of fun looking for and then experiencing a new place.

      Reply
  6. Richard says

    12/7/2021 at 9:20 pm

    A very longstanding tradition that will continue, for sure! I don’t drink alcohol but I still love the food.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/8/2021 at 11:39 am

      It most certainly will. Just so much to enjoy. And yeah, alcohol or not, the food is almost always great.

      Reply
  7. Michael says

    12/8/2021 at 6:32 am

    I do miss those places!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/8/2021 at 11:41 am

      I can well imagine. Missed them a lot during the state of emergencies. Been really nice to slowly get back into visiting them again.

      Reply
  8. cdilla says

    12/9/2021 at 7:12 pm

    The care and attention given to the food by the owners/staff you have captured tie these photographs together.
    My favourite – because of it’s brightness, is number 3. It would be nice to see his daily setup routine as the shop unfolds from its slim indoor space.
    Number 9 also appeals because of the angle it was taken. It reminded me of a pub I frequented in my teens and tweens where the bar was at eye height. Sadly the bar has gone – though the pub is still there. The wonder of the internet shows it here https://tinyurl.com/yyk5w4fp

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/10/2021 at 4:14 pm

      I’ve been past when he was just getting started on the grilling, but of course by then everything had been set up as it always is.

      Haha, that’s brilliant. An odd idea, but also oddly appealing.

      Reply
      • cdilla says

        12/10/2021 at 5:20 pm

        Back in the day a lot of pubs round our way were just big houses with odd rooms scattered about the main area, like snugs but without the price premium. This was one. The pub is on a slope and you can see a small flight of stairs on the right up to the main bar. On the left was a fireplace and a dartboard. Early doors was our time to play darts. Later the flat capped, whippet owning old codger brigade took over, huddled around the fire on those tiny stools, whilst we would move on, doing the rounds of the pubs with bar billiards, table football, pool or darts facilities. Dare say I’d eschew the dart board for a seat by the fire myself these days (sans flat cap and whippet) and would be appreciative of the tray service the staff afforded their more elderly patrons.

        Reply
  9. thomas says

    12/13/2021 at 4:38 am

    Great series of Pictures ! Bravo, I can almost smell the chicken from my computer !

    Reply

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