tomikaai
270 yen for all drinks! Delicious charcoal-grilled chicken skewers at a bar near the station! "Amiya" in Osaka, Hikaruike. After enjoying sake and non-revolving sushi at a standing bar on the same day, we decided to end the night with some yakitori! We chose "Amiya," a yakitori bar with branches in Kawanishi and Takarazuka. I knew they had a location in Itami, but this was my first visit. The restaurant is conveniently located just a 1-minute walk from Hikaruike Station. The interior has a counter overlooking the kitchen and table seats along the walls (I forgot to take a picture of them). It has a lively yet cozy Japanese atmosphere. I sat at the counter near the entrance. The menu is available in a booklet. All drinks are 270 yen! The food menu includes mainly grilled skewers, one appetizer, salad, fried dishes, closing dishes, and even desserts. (Details can be found at the bottom of the article). I started with a draft beer (Malt's) for 270 yen and a side dish for 200 yen. The first small dish was okra with sesame dressing. The cabbage was also served, and you can ask for refills! I ordered the smashed cucumber for 290 yen, a classic dish. The chicken skin tempura for 350 yen was crispy and light, with just the right amount of salt. I couldn't resist ordering more. The menu allows you to order one skewer at a time, even though it is listed as two skewers per plate. This flexibility was much appreciated! The skewers are served in the order they are grilled, giving you the pleasure of enjoying them fresh. The chicken wrapped in shiso for 300 yen for 2 skewers, chicken tenderloin for 260 yen for 2 skewers, a mix of different parts for 280 yen for 2 skewers, chicken thigh with leek for 280 yen for 2 skewers were all delicious. The chicken thigh with leek was particularly tasty. The skewers were cooked meticulously over charcoal, giving them a nice charred flavor. I also tried the highball for 270 yen and kawa (chicken skin) skewers for 260 yen for 2 skewers. The crispy texture and the perfect saltiness of the kawa skewers were delightful. I also enjoyed the pork belly for 260 yen for 2 skewers and beef skirt for 320 yen for 2 skewers. The pork and beef skewers were also delicious. I tried the bitter orange cocktail for 270 yen, which was a refreshing mix of beer and orange juice. I also had the chicken soup for 150 yen, which was rich and flavorful. The bacon-wrapped mochi with cheese for 300 yen for 2 skewers was a fun and tasty dish. I also tried the chicken breast with plum and shiso for 300 yen for 2 skewers and chicken breast with wasabi for 300 yen for 2 skewers as light options for the end of the meal. I ended the night with a vodka soda for 270 yen and the chicken noodle soup for 400 yen. I was initially planning to try the kama-meshi (rice cooked in an iron pot), but it takes time to prepare, so it's best to order it early. The noodles were also delicious, with chicken soup, chicken pieces, and thin curly noodles. The rich flavor of the soup was satisfying but not overwhelming. It was delicious! I finished it all, despite my dining companion claiming to be full. I ended the night with a glass of red wine for 270 yen. It was a delightful dining experience! The location near the station, the welcoming atmosphere for both men and women, the attentive service, and the quality of the food all make "Amiya" a great place to enjoy delicious yakitori in a casual setting.