Humans have been having roasted meat on skewers for hundreds of years. The smoky flavour of the charcoal blends so well with the juiciness of raw meat, creating a universally loved delicacy that has taken the world by storm for hundreds of years. Almost every culture on the planet has its own version of skewers, each opting for different kinds of meat, vegetables, sauces, and even the skewers themselves. Of all the different varieties of meat skewers, Japanese yakitori is perhaps one of the most iconic and delicious choices, offering not just the delectable taste of the meat but also deep insights into the rich history of Japan and its culinary traditions, or Asian cuisine as a whole.

A Quick Overview of Yakitori

Yakitori refers to the Japanese skewers often shared and enjoyed communally between friends and family members during celebrations or parties. Due to how easily it can be prepared by almost everyone, from teenagers to office workers alike.

In Japan, most yakitori dishes are made using chicken meat, or all cuts of the chicken, to be exact. Yakitori chefs would waste no part of the chicken, from the coveted thighs to the unconventional gizzards or the hearts. During or after the grilling process, the chefs would also season the meat with tare sauce, a type of thickened soy sauce with a satisfying sweet taste. The sauce greatly enhances the texture of the meat itself.

When grilling yakitori, chefs would often acquire bincho-tan to create the most flavourful yakitori. Bincho-tan is a special type of charcoal that is often available exclusively in Japan. Unlike the usual charcoal, bincho-tan charcoal has to go through a much more complicated production process that involves pyrolyzing Japanese Ubame oak wood at very high temperature and then curing the carbonized material with a mixture of ash, earth, and sand. The use of this special charcoal will add a touch of smokiness to the flavour, elevating the skewers as a whole.

In Japan, yakitori is mostly sold at local yakitori-ya, small shops without sit-in areas. However, this delicacy is also found in some Japanese restaurants as well, mostly as starters or finger foods.

The History of Yakitori

Surprisingly, yakitori’s history dates back as far as 1300 years. As Buddhism was once the dominant religion in Japan, the country had an aversion to consuming the meat of cattle for a long time. However, sparrows and other wild fowls were fair game, as they were pests that harmed the people’s harvest. The first mention of yakitori as a dish in Japanese literature appeared in 1700, as mentions of farmers skewering fowl meat surfaced during the era. However, as meat was still prohibitively expensive at that time, this delicacy was not widely available to local farmers. It was not until the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century that meat became much more abundant in Japan, reducing the costs of yakitori and making it accessible to the average Japanese.

In the 20th century, yakitori has gradually become synonymous with the Japanese working class and white-collared workers, as it became a staple in every izakaya in the country. Chicken is no longer the only type of meat used in yakitori restaurants, as other types of meat like beef, pork, and even vegan yakitori, have emerged. The vast variety of yakitori flavors and meat types means that almost every restaurant has its own secret recipe, along with the secret sauce that makes or breaks the entire dish.

Enjoying Authentic Yakitori Away from Japan

To make the best yakitori skewers, chefs will need access to bincho-tan charcoal as well as the appropriate tare sauce, both of which are not readily available in many locations in Europe. However, with the advent of industrial quick freeze technologies, yakitori skewers can take on a journey of a thousand miles from Asia to destinations around the world without ever losing their characteristic flavour. Frozen yakitori offers not just delicious tastes but also the best convenience to help you elevate your menu.

If you are looking for the best yakitori to upgrade your menu or prepare a themed selection, OrienBites is the brand for you! Our selection of delicious frozen yakitori features a wide variety of flavours and tastes, from Thai-style yakitori to authentic Japanese yakitori. We use the best charcoal grill during the cooking process to impart the characteristic smoky flavour to the finished products. Contact our sales team now for more information on our selection!

With over a thousand years of history, yakitori is a culturally rich skewer dish that perfectly represents the harmonious taste of the East. For Horeca professionals, yakitori is a great communal dish that does not take a lot of time to prepare, making it the perfect choice if you wish to expand your collection and elevate your menu. The unique taste of the meat mixed with the tare sauce will be an unforgettable experience for your customers.