oide

Alongside classic yakitori, oide gives its skewers an inventive twist. Bacon-wrapped asparagus, singled out as a favourite in reviews, appears on the charcoal-grilled yakitori menu and makes a good place to start. The pork belly roll with shiso and cheese is listed under both yakitori and kushikatsu. It costs ¥250 as yakitori and ¥250 as a fried skewer, so you can try the same combination prepared in two different ways. Some reviewers also recommend the fried shiso-and-cheese skewer—a good example of the appeal of having grilled and fried skewers on the same menu.

For a selection of chicken cuts, try familiar choices such as chicken tail, skin and tsukune (a chicken meatball), or add oide’s signature skewer or chicken tenderloin with spicy cod roe. Reviewers have recommended both the “oide skewer” and chicken tail. One diner found the skewers on the small side, so ordering a few and varying the flavours may be a good approach. If choosing feels difficult, there are assorted sets, available as yakitori or kushikatsu, with 5, 10 or 15 skewers. The options make it easier to choose an amount, whether you want a little to eat or are sharing with a group.

Drinks include beer, sake and highballs. The menu also lists extra-large draft beer and chuhai (shochu mixed with a soft drink), with flavours such as lemon and grape. Settle in with a drink while the skewers cook: some visitors have commented that the food took a while, so this is better suited to an unhurried evening than a quick meal. The restaurant is in Nakatsukasa-cho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, and opens daily from 17:00 until 3:00 the following day. Along with yakitori, you can order kushikatsu and other dishes, making it an option for a late dinner or a relaxed evening over skewers.