{"id":1761,"date":"2025-03-04T18:07:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T09:07:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/higojournal.com\/en\/?p=1761"},"modified":"2025-03-04T18:07:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T09:07:29","slug":"kumamoto-is-getting-a-torikizoku","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/higojournal.com\/en\/archives\/kumamoto-is-getting-a-torikizoku.html","title":{"rendered":"Kumamoto Is Getting a \u201dTorikizoku\u201d!"},"content":{"rendered":"

While many residents of Kumamoto prefecture have heard of Torikizoku, few have actually visited one. That’s about to change as Kumamoto City\u2019s Chuo Ward on Ginza-dori is set to welcome its very first Torikizoku outlet. The grand opening is scheduled for November 6!<\/span><\/p>\n

All Ingredients Are 100% Domestically Sourced, Yet Every Item Is Just 370 Yen!<\/b><\/h2>\n

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The address is 1 Chome-10-1 Shimotori, Chuo Ward, located in the KK Shimotori Ginza Cross Building (\u718a\u672c\u5e02\u4e2d\u592e\u533a\u4e0b\u901a1\u4e01\u76ee10\uff0d1 KK\u4e0b\u901a\u9280\u5ea7\u30af\u30ed\u30b9\u30d3\u30eb).<\/span><\/p>\n

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You enter from the the Ginza-door side.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Just look for this sign and take the elevator to the third floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The restaurant has both table seating and counter seating. It\u2019s perfect for groups, but also great for solo diners who can feel at ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s even a smoking room, a rare find in city centers these days.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This is the menu.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s surprising is that everything is just 370 yen.<\/span><\/p>\n

You <\/span>know the price up front, and it being so affordable, means you can honestly say,<\/span> “Don\u2019t hold back, order whatever you like!”<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, all the items are domestically sourced, and the store\u2019s policy is to skewer everything from scratch inside the restaurant every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Orders are placed through a tablet.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s Incredibly Delicious<\/b><\/h2>\n

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Left: Grilled Salted Chicken Breast “Kizoku-Yaki” Right: Grilled Chicken Breast with Spicy Cod Roe Mayonnaise<\/b><\/p>\n

Start with Torikizoku’s most popular item, the signature “Kizoku-yaki.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Just take a bite, and you\u2019ll be amazed at how tender and juicy the chicken is\u2014hard to believe it\u2019s breast meat!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Chicken Thigh “Kizoku-Yaki” (With Sauce)<\/b><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can choose between salt <\/span>shio<\/span><\/i>, “spice” which is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, or soy-glazed <\/span>tare<\/span><\/i>. I got it with <\/span>tare<\/span><\/i>, with a robust soy-based flavor that\u2019s perfect with a cold beer or highball\u2014a match made in heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/b>Chicken Meatballs with Grilled Cheese<\/b><\/p>\n

Next we have the chicken meatballs with grilled cheese.<\/span><\/p>\n

Normally, one skewer of tsukune would disappear in a second, but Torikizoku\u2019s<\/b> are huge!.<\/b><\/p>\n

They were substantial enough to satisfy even a small appetite on their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Of course, since this is an an <\/span>izakaya<\/span><\/i>, the seasoning is tailored to complement drinks, which means the giant beer mugs just keep on coming.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Now, here it is, the “Soft Grilled Yam on a Hot Plate” that I\u2019ve always seen on TV and wanted to try.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many celebrities have been saying how delicious it is, so I\u2019ve been really curious about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0You pop the yolk\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2026mix it as you like, and it\u2019s ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

The taste is truly <\/span>exquisite<\/span>, so I highly recommend you try it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dashi broth is rich and flavorful, making you feel like you\u2019re eating a <\/span>zosui<\/span><\/i> rice porridge for a moment. However, the distinct aroma of yam lingers, and before you know it, you\u2019ll find yourself eating it all in one go.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Finally, it\u2019s the <\/span>Torikamameshi<\/span><\/i>\u2014<\/span>Chicken and Rice cooked together in a pot and served tableside.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n