Introducing TORIDORI — Yakitori, Western Cuisine & Natural Wine

Hello travelers! I’m Aikero, a writer for SaruKuma.

Today we’re heading to Kamitori-machi in Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City to visit
TORIDORI — Yakitori, Western Cuisine & Natural Wine.Tucked on the ground floor of the Oaks Hotel along the slightly grown-up Oaks Street, this spot has a refined vibe that might make you wonder if children are welcome — but rest assured, families are warmly welcomed!
It’s the kind of restaurant that’s perfect for family celebrations or a special date night.

We approached from Kamitori shopping arcade.
The restaurant is easy to find, no maze-like wandering required.
Inside you’ll find counter seating and
comfortable table seats.
We brought a stroller, and if the restaurant is busy, the front-side tables tend to be more comfortable for parents.
We highly recommend booking online before you visit (^^)/
There isn’t a dedicated kids’ menu, but you’re welcome to bring baby food or your own children’s meals.

《 Starters 》
・Swordfish & Orange Carpaccio from 1,200 yen
・Fresh Fruit & Organic Vegetable Salad 900 yen
・Tomato Marinated in Plum Wine 600 yen
・Western-style Boiled Dumplings 700 yen
・Shrimp Spring Rolls with Blue Cheese Sauce 1,000 yen

《 Specials 》
・Duck Cutlet with Demi-glace Sauce 2,000 yen
・Horse Meat Tartare 1,800 yen
・Tomato Chicken Curry 1,000 yen
・TORIDORI Pudding 500 yen
《 Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers) 》
・Sesori (Chicken Neck) 300 yen
・Hatsu (Chicken Heart) 300 yen
・Negima (Chicken & Leek) 280 yen
・Sunagimo (Gizzard) 300 yen
・Pork Belly 300 yen

《 Charcoal-Grilled 》
・Zucchini with Shaved Parmigiano 500 yen
・Red Eggplant with Dengaku Miso & Cheese 500 yen
・Shiitake Mushroom 400 yen
・Manganji Pepper 400 yen
・Duck Tataki, Tartare-Style 1,100 yen
・Morning-Fresh Chicken Thigh with Charred Aromatics 1,100 yen《 Natural Wine 》
・Glass (white / red) 1,000 yen
・Bottle (white / red) please ask the staff

Wine selections rotate based on what’s in stock.
You can also share your taste preferences and the staff will recommend something perfect for you.

《 Other Alcohol 》
・Craft Gin from 700 yen
・Craft Shochu from 600 yen
・Draft Beer (Aromatic Ale) 600 yen
・Kaku Highball 480 yen
・CC Highball 450 yen

《 Soft Drinks 》
・Iyoshi Craft Cola 500 yen
・Ginger Ale 350 yen
・Oolong Tea 300 yen
★ Not on the menu, but orange juice is also available on request.The restaurant also draws a lot of girls’ night out gatherings.
It makes sense — the elegant atmosphere and beautifully crafted dishes are ideal for relaxed grown-up get-togethers!
If you order the Girls’ Night Course, glass wine and TORIDORI Pudding come at a discounted price ♪

《 Girls’ Night Course 》
Food 3,500 yen
● Plate
・Quiche
・Liver Pâté
・Spring Rolls
・Fried Asparagus
・Dried Daikon Arrabiata
● Fruit Salad
● 3 Yakitori Skewers
● Western-style Boiled Dumplings
● Charcoal-Grilled Chicken Thigh

★ Glass wine: usually 1,000 yen → 700 yen
★ TORIDORI Pudding: usually 500 yen → 300 yen

TORIDORI’s Must-Try Menu Items

First up is the otoshi (the small appetizer that comes with your seat in Japan): a quiche!
It was my first time having quiche as an otoshi.The pastry is incredibly flaky!
The creamy cheese pairs beautifully with the savory bacon — absolutely delicious.Every dish is prepared with meticulous care.
I personally love watching chefs work, so I’d happily sit at the counter and watch the entire process.
Horse meat tartare — a Kumamoto specialty!
Just looking at it tells you it’s going to taste amazing.The glossy egg yolk is gloriously runny.Lean horse meat mixed with the rich yolk creates an irresistibly deep flavor.
The seasoning practically begs for a glass of wine alongside it!
Chicken heart skewers (hatsu).
They look completely different from any chicken heart I’d ever seen — and tasting them was an even bigger surprise!
Each bite released a flood of juicy, melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
The touch of fresh ginger on top adds a beautiful aromatic accent.
Honestly, this is the most delicious chicken heart I’ve ever had…!
My daughter took a bite too.
It was her first time trying chicken heart, and she happily declared it “yummy!”All the yakitori and charcoal-grilled dishes are cooked exclusively over real charcoal — that’s the chef’s commitment.
The skewering technique is also unique to this restaurant, making each bite something you can only experience here.

Sesori (chicken neck) skewers — a favorite of mine and my husband’s.
Wrapped with shiso leaves, they have a refreshing herbal aroma.
Every chew releases more umami, and you’ll want to keep chewing forever…!Negima skewers (chicken & leek).
We ordered ours with sweet tare sauce.
The glaze caramelizes beautifully on the grill, complementing the natural sweetness of the chicken and leek.
My son was thrilled with the delicious chicken too.
Most of the negima ended up disappearing into the kids’ mouths (^○^)

After tasting all this, one thing was clear: every single dish at TORIDORI is on another level.
The yakitori may look pricey per skewer, but one bite explains exactly why.
The refined dishes match the elegant Oaks Street vibe perfectly — making it ideal for date nights or anniversaries.
It’s worth the journey to Kamitori just for this!
The menu lists “Shrimp Spring Rolls with Blue Cheese Sauce,” but it’s currently served with lemon instead.
Let’s give it a try with a fresh squeeze of lemon!
The wrapper is wonderfully crispy, with generous chunks of asparagus and shrimp inside.
The lemon adds a bright, zesty kick.
There’s a tartare-like sauce inside that brings out the freshness even more — utterly delicious!
Now for one of TORIDORI’s most popular dishes: the Duck Cutlet with Demi-glace Sauce.
You can tell at a glance — this one is guaranteed to be amazing.
Here my husband ordered a glass of wine.
We really should have taken the train tonight…(T_T) lol
By the way, what exactly is natural wine?
There’s no strict definition, but it’s generally described as wine made by harnessing nature’s power in both farming and brewing.
The grapes are organically grown, and during fermentation, natural yeasts are used with little to no added sulfites.
It’s wine that reflects the terroir and the producer’s philosophy — often described as having deep umami and beautiful complexity.

My husband isn’t a wine connoisseur, but he found it “easy to drink, with a fruity aroma and refreshing acidity.” (^^)/
Just look at this presentation!
Each piece is generously sized!
Under the crispy breading, the duck meat is tender, juicy, and silky.
The rich demi-glace sauce takes it to absolute perfection…!And here’s a surprise: tomato chicken curry.
I couldn’t help but say, “Curry at a yakitori place — how unique!” (^^;)
It’s a slightly spicy curry blended from individual spices.The chicken pieces are big and substantial.
The tomato-rich spice curry is so flavorful you’ll savor every single bite!
Our kids enjoyed the duck demi-glace sauce poured over white rice — a happy improvisation.
You absolutely must order the TORIDORI Pudding!
Some guests come specifically for it — and after one bite, you’ll completely understand why!
It looks like a firm-style Japanese pudding, but the second your spoon dips in, you’ll feel its silky texture.
It practically melts in your mouth like a creamy custard — I loved it!
The unsweetened cream on top keeps things from getting too sugary, letting the slightly bitter caramel shine through.
One taste and my child made this face… (●＾o＾●)
She declared, “This was the best one!”
Don’t let traveling with kids stop you from visiting!
Dress up a little nicer than usual and celebrate a family milestone or anniversary on Oaks Street at TORIDORI — Yakitori, Western Cuisine & Natural Wine.

It’s also perfect for an everyday dinner.
Many guests are women — and it’s easy to see why: the cuisine is consistently delicious and refined, and both the interior and Oaks Street itself have an atmosphere that women particularly love ♫

Be sure to visit and try the one-of-a-kind yakitori and the unforgettable TORIDORI Pudding (●＾o＾●)

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Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information is current as of the visit. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.