chaory's
On my way back after some errands in Ueno, I decided to check out a restaurant known for its delicious yakitori, located about a 5-minute walk from Okachimachi Station or just 2 minutes from Ueno Hirokoji. Cheers to that!
I started with the specialty drink, a lemon sour for ¥550, which was refreshing with its fizzy carbonation. The appetizer was chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), served hot with a piece of chicken and some corn inside. It had a rich flavor and really warmed me up!
Now, onto the main attraction—yakitori!
- **Yakitori (Chicken Neck) (Ibaraki or Chiba Chicken)** ¥253
- **Yakitori (Chicken Neck) (Nagoya Cochin)** ¥385
I tried both versions of the chicken neck, and while the Nagoya Cochin was slightly more expensive, its texture stood out—it was more elastic and had a nice "bite." The regular chicken neck was juicy and equally delicious. It’s hard to choose between the two!
- **Ikada Kushi (Chicken Wing Skewers)** ¥572
These were incredibly juicy, tender, and satisfying. Absolutely tasty!
- **Liver** ¥253
I expected it to be overcooked and tough, but to my surprise, it was incredibly tender and free of any foul smell. Very enjoyable!
- **Heart** ¥253
This was also a delight with a wonderful texture.
- **Sashimi of Chicken (Limited to 5 servings)** ¥1,540
The best dish of the day! It featured a trio of chicken—sasa-mi (breast), mune (thigh), and momo (dark meat)—served with ginger, wasabi, sea salt, and Kyushu soy sauce. The sasami was soft and fluffy, pairing wonderfully with the wasabi and salt. Both mune and momo were firm with a nice chew. Wrapping it in a slice of onion-salad with a touch of Kyushu soy and ginger made it superb!
- **Chicken Paitaki Nabe for Two** ¥3,036
Since it was cold, I opted for a hot pot. This was a milky, rich chicken broth that was flavorful and permeated the vegetables well. It was filled with shiitake, enoki mushrooms, bunashimeji, green onions, cabbage, watercress, carrots, and tofu. The chicken and tsukune (chicken meatballs) added to the deliciousness!
- **Plate of Shumai** ¥748
This unique dish was surprisingly gourmet! Served with a knife and fork, it felt like eating a galette; it was juicy and delicious.
- **Chilled Tomato** ¥462
What I thought was a simple tomato turned out to be a peeled tomato with a sweet-savory orange sauce. It was refreshing and perfect for palate cleansing!
- **Chicken Kamameshi (Rice Cooked in a Casserole)** ¥1,045
For my final dish, I went with kamameshi instead of the tempting oyakodon or ramen. At first glance, there seemed to be little chicken on top, but to my delight, there was plenty hidden below. The seasoning was just right—not too salty and very easy to eat!
- **Desserts:**
- **Seasonal Sorbet (Lemon)** ¥660
- **Vanilla Bean Ice Cream** ¥715
I loved the refreshing lemon sorbet. Even in winter, having sorbet after hot pot is delightful!
The restaurant had semi-private seating, which made for a cozy atmosphere. It was comfortable enough that I didn’t have to worry about others watching, allowing for relaxed conversation. Thank you for a wonderful meal!