The best solution when you are running out of money.

In the final article of this Tokyo trip, it would be apt to share more about Torikizoku, a budget yakitori chain with more than 600 outlets in Japan.

After eating and travelling through Tokyo, I had ¥2,250 left for my final meal before my flight in the early morning the next day, and wasn’t up for spending more than what I had left. This is where Torikizoku comes to the rescue.

Upon entering Torikizoku at Ueno, it was pretty full and the waiters were busy, but within 5 minutes they managed to find a 1-seater table next to me right in front of the grill. Guess it was front row seats for dinner.

Review: With the remaining cash, was only limited 6 dishes unless the credit card comes out. As a person who really likes chicken innards, ordered the thigh with leek (Negima, ねぎま), heart (hatsu, ハツ), liver (reba, レバー) and gizzard (sunagimo, 砂肝). Being a yakitori chain, the quality was pretty average and felt a bit on the burnt side. However, the perk of this place is the value for money offering.

Damage: Some older blog posts stated that each serving was ¥298 (¥327 with tax included) but even Japan is not immune to global inflation. The prices have increased by about 10%, with each order now ¥350 with tax included.

Menu and Ordering: Done with the tablet in front of you, and the menu is translated into English (to the best of their ability). All the usual items you expect including chicken breasts, chicken thighs, meatballs, gizzard, liver, heart are all on the menu. If you require the detailed menu, it is found on their website (Japanese language only), and the google translated version is found here.

So only 4 dishes were ordered instead of 6. Where did the other 2 dishes go to? It was too good to pass up on the beer on offer for also ¥350 and it was a big glass for sure (felt like a pint equivalent) and it came ice cold as well.

Now I understand the enticement for university students and salarymen to frequent this place, because it is relatively friendly on your wallet for a whole night of fun.

In total, achieved a good meal, with two beers, all within the expected cost of my budget and with change leftover.