Here are three places in London where you can get proper, delicious yakitori.
1. Humble Chicken (Soho)
The special occasion spot.
Opened as a yakitori bar in 2021, pivoted to omakase-style in 2023. Earned one Michelin star in 2024, then two stars in 2025.
Chef Angelo Sato grew up in Tokyo and moved to the UK at 17. He trained at Gordon Ramsay, Eleven Madison Park, and Restaurant Story before going independent.
It’s a 13-seat counter, 16 courses, £235. Beyond yakitori, expect creative dishes like mussels (avocado + yuzu kosho ponzu), miso foie gras tart, and chicken liver parfait.
My top pick: the Sukiyaki. Short rib slow-cooked for 48 hours, finished with crispy fried egg yolk. Worth the visit for this dish alone.
Even the closing Purin (Japanese custard pudding) is flawless.
Reservations: Wednesday–Saturday at 6pm and 9pm, plus Saturday lunch at 1pm. It’s a battle to book — be ready to refresh the site the moment reservations open.
54 Frith St, W1D 4SL
humblechicken.co.uk
2. Jin Kichi / 甚吉 (Hampstead)
A Hampstead institution that’s been around for decades.
Counter seats surround the binchotan robata grill, so you can watch the chefs work the skewers. The vibe is smart-casual, and the menu is extensive.
The signatures are tsukune (chicken meatball) and shiso-maki (pork wrapped in shiso leaf). The chicken wings are crispy-skinned and juicy inside. Beyond yakitori, the agedashi tofu, grilled mackerel, and unagi roll are all reliable.
Expect to spend around £100 per person. Booking a month ahead can still be tough, and even Tuesday nights fill up. There’s a 90-minute limit; lunch is slightly easier to get into.
73 Heath St, NW3 6UG
jinkichi.com
3. Tosa / 土佐 (Hammersmith)
The everyday spot for West Londoners.
Five minutes from Stamford Brook station, this izakaya has been going for over 15 years. Nothing flashy, but solid yakitori starting from £2.70.
Shiso-maki, quail egg, chicken wing, chicken skin — all simple, all reliable. They also do grilled dishes like salted mackerel and salmon teriyaki, plus sushi, tempura, and udon.
Honestly, it’s a step down from the other two. But a place where you can casually eat yakitori for £30–50 is rare in London. This is probably the one I visit most.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
332 King Street, W6 0RR
tosa.co.uk
Quick Comparison
| Restaurant | Budget | Booking | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humble Chicken | £235 | Highly competitive | 2 Michelin stars | Special occasions, treating yourself |
| Jin Kichi | ~£100 | Book 1 month ahead | Smart-casual | Business dinners, dates |
| Tosa | £30–50 | Walk-in OK | Izakaya | Everyday, casual drinks |
Written by Ayaka Uchida, CEO of A-Digital Works Ltd.