Japan-Famous Torikizoku Opens At VivoCity With $3.90++ Yakitori—Is It Worth A Try?

If you have walked through the streets of Japan at night, I’m sure you would have spotted the above image’s vibrant yellow signboards illuminating the roads. Now, you need not fly 5,350km to the land of the rising sun to get the yakitori experience, as Japan’s famous Torikizoku has opened its first outlet at VivoCity.

Founded in 1985, Torikizoku began as a humble, standalone eatery before expanding across Japan to become one of the country’s most popular yakitori chains. It also has more than 700 locations globally. In Japan, it is renowned for its uniform pricing policy, with every menu item costing 390 yen, making it especially popular among students and salarymen alike.

This pricing model is also reflected at the Singapore outlet, where all skewers, sides, and rice bowls are priced at a flat $3.90++, except alcoholic beverages. However, the Singapore outlet differs slightly in terms of experience, offering a more spacious layout compared to the typically cramped, cosy settings in Japan.

It features ample seating, including both indoor and outdoor tables with a picturesque view of the Harbourfront boardwalk. We went straight for the Signature Kizokuyaki skewers, available in both breast and thigh cuts, along with chunks of leek.

Diners can choose from three signature seasonings—Rock Salt, Sauce, and Spice. We opted for the Kizokuyaki Thigh (Sauce), which was particularly visually appealing, glazed in Torikizoku’s signature Japanese tare.

The sweet-savoury glaze imparted rich umami, while the generously-sized thigh meat was quite tender. However, the skewers were served lukewarm, and we would have preferred them to be hotter. The Kizokuyaki Breast (Salt) did not quite hit the mark.

The breast meat leaned on the dry side and was slightly tough. The salt seasoning also did little to elevate the chicken’s natural flavours, resulting in a skewer that felt rather one-dimensional and underwhelming.

If you’re after something lighter, the regular-sized skewers are a better choice. They offered a pleasant mouthfeel and were slightly juicier than the signature Kizokuyaki skewers, with the sauce variation once again emerging as our preferred pick.

One dish that we did not expect to enjoy as much as we did was the Chicken Rice Porridge. Comforting and homely, the porridge was well-infused with chicken flavour and had a pleasing consistency that was neither too thick nor overly watery. It could have benefited from a few more bits of chicken, but at its price point, it was a decent option to pair with your skewers.

Our favourite dish actually came from one of the side dishes—the Chicken Nanban, which features fried chicken served with tartar sauce. The chunks of fried chicken were thick, juicy, and lightly battered, while the rich and creamy tartar sauce complemented them beautifully. Together, they delivered plenty of crunch and tanginess in every bite.

We were also treated to their famous Kamameshi, also known as “kettle rice” — a one-pot rice dish with ingredients such as chicken and various vegetables. The pot is brought to your table and left to cook for about 20 minutes with the lid on before being mixed to bring out its flavours. The rice carried subtle hints of chicken broth, though the overall dish was on the lighter side, likely designed to let the skewers take centre stage.

Besides meat skewers, you can also opt for other varieties such as Stuffed Bell Pepper with Ponzu, Grilled Liver with Sesame Oil, and Pork Belly. They also offer sides including Chuka Wakame, Edamame, and the popular Potato Salad.

Overall, Torikizoku offered a mix of hits and misses across different elements. If you want a more substantial meal here, you will likely need to spend a little more to order seconds and thirds.

Taste-wise, however, everything was fairly decent, and it’s worth considering if you are looking for highballs with a view or a lighter dining option that will not fill you up too much. If you’re looking for other Japanese food options, check out our Hikiniku To Come review, located conveniently beside Torikizoku, or browse our best Japanese restaurants guide for a wider range of choices.

Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk #01-104/105, VivoCity, Singapore 098585 Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm

Website

Torikizoku is not halal-certified.

Photos taken by Heather Ng. This was a media tasting at Torikizoku.

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