Review

When you think of yakitori, you might picture a dish enjoyed by Japanese salarymen at an izakaya near a train station, paired with a cold beer after a working day. This restaurant redefines that image. Kuma No Yakitori, opened March 2024, is the Bangkok branch of a premium yakitori restaurant from Japan. The entrance is unassuming, with no prominent signs. Within, the minimalist counter design is a testament to simplicity, where chicken wings are smoked for an hour before your eyes, a ritual elevating experience. The chef, a former J-League player, has a genuine passion for yakitori, honed through rigorous training across various kitchens. The culinary experience is a sixteen course omakase menu. Eight different yakitori skewers, including two types of thigh meat, the special of the day, heart, breast, skin, wings, and meatballs, are each grilled to perfection. Alongside the yakitori, dishes such as homemade tofu topped with uni, signature chawanmushi with uni cream, as well as “TKG”, tamago kake gohan - egg over rice and roasted duck, offer a feast for eyes and palate. Seasonings, sourced from Japan, enhance the yakitori, while yuzu radish and wasabi leaf with soy served alongside, offer a palate cleanse. Partner the dishes with a wine-pairing or premium Nagoya sake. The meal concludes with dessert of wagashi, Japanese sweets and hojicha, Japanese tea.