We love sitting around an open kitchen nibbling on grilled skewers with an ice cold beer after work. If you’re a fan of Japanese robatayaki, the concierge experts at Quintessentially recommend 5 of the best places to get your grill on.
Busy Suzy
Shop 209, 2/F, 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2369 0077
Gilbert Yeung’s robatayaki grill is, of course, a glamorous and high-class affair. The circular space near 1881 Heritage sets the stage for skewering of the first league – expensive cuts and premium ingredients sourced from all over the world. Foie gras? King crab? Wagyu beef? Done. If you choose to sit at the bar, food is served fresh off the grill on wooden paddles and served straight up to guests. Consider this the dining equivalent of dragon-i.
The Mon
4/F, The Goldmark, 502 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, 2504 3313
A local robatayaki joint with no English menu, take your Japanese- and Chinese-reading friends here and enjoy a reasonably-priced meal in the heart of Causeway Bay.
Robata Zawazawa
LG/F, 41 Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2536 9898
Sassy have blogged before about Robata Zawazawa. A real hidden gem on Wyndham Street, Robata Zawazawa has room for just 10 guests so book ahead early. The focus is on prime ingredients – Wagyu beef, foie gras – grilled to perfection and accompanied by exotic cocktails. They handmake their udon (and it’s limited daily). Check it out!
Inakaya
Shop A, 101/F, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2972 2666
Robatayaki with a view. Inakaya is a Tokyo import located on the 101st floor of the Kowloon ICC. It’s definitely popular and it’s very traditional. Fresh produce is displayed in front of you and you pick and choose what you’d like. The experience is very entertaining – the chefs put on quite a show and there’s good banter throughout – but with the sky high views come sky high prices and this is a restaurant for impressing clients or a very special occasion.
Nantei
2/F, 122-126 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2736 2500
Nantei is a great place to stop by for a beer and a few skewers – unpretentious and lively, it can get very crowded and has the real feel of a bustling bar in Tokyo.
And an honourable mention to…
Magushi
74 Peel Street, Central, 2868 1428
Magushi has a fantastic location on Peel Street and serves delicious yakitori with a super wide range of sakes – a must for any sake connoisseur.
Bicho
26/F, Continental Diamond Building, 525 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, 2838 7022
Located in Causeway Bay, Bicho is very teeny restaurant hidden away in a commercial building stuffed with Japanese restaurants. It’s well worth seeking out for the juicy skewers and cheery environment.
Sakesan
G/F, 18 Shelley Street, Soho, Central, 2525 1660
The cocktails are brilliant! Try the passionfruit saketini. Happy hour = 30% off.
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Excellent list!