While many residents of Kumamoto prefecture have heard of Torikizoku, few have actually visited one. That’s about to change as Kumamoto City’s Chuo Ward on Ginza-dori is set to welcome its very first Torikizoku outlet. The grand opening is scheduled for November 6!

All Ingredients Are 100% Domestically Sourced, Yet Every Item Is Just 370 Yen!

The address is 1 Chome-10-1 Shimotori, Chuo Ward, located in the KK Shimotori Ginza Cross Building (熊本市中央区下通1丁目10－1 KK下通銀座クロスビル).

You enter from the the Ginza-door side.

Just look for this sign and take the elevator to the third floor.

The restaurant has both table seating and counter seating. It’s perfect for groups, but also great for solo diners who can feel at ease.

There’s even a smoking room, a rare find in city centers these days.

This is the menu.

What’s surprising is that everything is just 370 yen.

You know the price up front, and it being so affordable, means you can honestly say, “Don’t hold back, order whatever you like!”

What’s more, all the items are domestically sourced, and the store’s policy is to skewer everything from scratch inside the restaurant every day.

Orders are placed through a tablet.

It’s Incredibly Delicious

Left: Grilled Salted Chicken Breast “Kizoku-Yaki” Right: Grilled Chicken Breast with Spicy Cod Roe Mayonnaise

Start with Torikizoku’s most popular item, the signature “Kizoku-yaki.”

Just take a bite, and you’ll be amazed at how tender and juicy the chicken is—hard to believe it’s breast meat!

Chicken Thigh “Kizoku-Yaki” (With Sauce)

Given the chicken breast was so tender, I was half-worried that the thigh meat would just melt away, but the “Momo Kizoku-Yaki” (thigh meat) is as succulent as it gets.

You can choose between salt shio, “spice” which is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, or soy-glazed tare. I got it with tare, with a robust soy-based flavor that’s perfect with a cold beer or highball—a match made in heaven.

 Chicken Meatballs with Grilled Cheese

Next we have the chicken meatballs with grilled cheese.

Normally, one skewer of tsukune would disappear in a second, but Torikizoku’s are huge!.

They were substantial enough to satisfy even a small appetite on their own.

Of course, since this is an an izakaya, the seasoning is tailored to complement drinks, which means the giant beer mugs just keep on coming.

Now, here it is, the “Soft Grilled Yam on a Hot Plate” that I’ve always seen on TV and wanted to try.

Many celebrities have been saying how delicious it is, so I’ve been really curious about it.

 You pop the yolk…

…mix it as you like, and it’s ready.

The taste is truly exquisite, so I highly recommend you try it.

The dashi broth is rich and flavorful, making you feel like you’re eating a zosui rice porridge for a moment. However, the distinct aroma of yam lingers, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself eating it all in one go.

Finally, it’s the Torikamameshi—Chicken and Rice cooked together in a pot and served tableside.

It’s delightful to watch the rice steam away at the table while it cooks. Once the candle underneath goes out, you let it steam for five minutes before the grand reveal.

 

The dish is surprisingly loaded with ingredients—all for just 370 yen!

I mindlessly search through it for the crispy rice crust at the bottom.

Then…

And there it is—pure bliss!

Even the desserts are, of course, just 370 yen. The “Enchanting Chocolate Milk” served in a mug and the “Toriki Dome Ice Cream Mitarashi” seem set to become favorites too!

 A Word of Thanks

Director Nakano of Win Co., Ltd.

First, let us express our gratitude. Thank you so much for opening “Tori Kizoku” in Kumamoto! And welcome to Kumamoto!!!

Wow, thank you!

It’s wonderful, but we couldn’t help wondering… why Kumamoto?

Actually, I was born in Kumamoto. So, when the discussion about opening locations outside of major metropolitan areas like Kanto and Kansai came up three years ago, I pushed for Kumamoto, and finally, it led to this opening.

Turns out, that of all places, Nakano was born in Kumamoto

When asked, he explained that his mother is from Asakusa, which is why he was born in Kumamoto. Later, they moved to the Kansai region, but during his childhood, Nakano would often travel by car to his grandparent’s house.

By car? From Kansai??

“That’s right. Because you can’t make it in Amakusa without a car.”

He’s the real deal.

Casually mentioning that it’s tough without a car could only come from the mouth of someone who has a strong connection to Amakusa and has been there many times.

Lastly, could you tell us about the concept behind “Torikizoku”?

“Yes, the concept is “delicious food without hesitation”. Whether it’s the service, the atmosphere of the restaurant, or the uniform pricing, we aim to make sure our customers can enjoy delicious food without any friction. “Torikizoku” uses 100% domestically sourced ingredients, but that can sometimes make it difficult to maintain a stable supply due to climate fluctuations.  For instance, we had to suspend serving French fries when there was a poor potato crop in Hokkaido.”

 

“It was tough having to decline orders from customers, but now I understand President Okura’s conviction not to compromise on being 100% domestic.“

 

“This insistence is something that ties into our pride.“

 

“We don’t compromise all the more because of the low prices.”

We really felt the strong conviction behind his words.

We highly recommend you visit “Torikizoku” at least once.