Yakitori (Grilled Skewers · 야키토리): what it is and how to order it in Korea
Bite-sized pieces of chicken grilled over charcoal on thin bamboo skewers, usually brushed with sweet soy glaze or sprinkled with salt. Yakitori shops in Seoul serve it at casual izakaya-style counters, and the smoky char makes it an easy favorite.
Say it to order
야키토리 주세요
Yakitori juseyo
Quick facts
How to eat it
Pull the meat off the skewer with your teeth or chopsticks, and eat it while it is hot. Ask for it with sauce (tare) or with salt (shio), whichever you prefer.
Do
- Use your chopsticks or teeth to slide the meat off the skewer, and keep the empty sticks on your plate.
Don’t
- Don't wave skewers around while talking, and don't leave used sticks in a shared bowl.
Local tips
- Order a few skewers at a time, since they are cooked to order and arrive fresh.
- Ask for sauce or salt on each skewer, and try a mix of cuts such as thigh, skin, and gizzard.
Goes with
- Pickled radish
- Cabbage salad
- Shichimi chili pepper
- Cold beer
- Sake
- Yuzu highball
Where to try it in Seoul
Questions
- How do you order Yakitori (Grilled Skewers) in Korean?
- Say “야키토리 주세요” (Yakitori juseyo).
- Is Yakitori (Grilled Skewers) spicy?
- No. Yakitori (Grilled Skewers) isn’t spicy.
- How much does Yakitori (Grilled Skewers) cost in Korea?
- Usually ₩3,500–20,000.
- How do you eat Yakitori (Grilled Skewers)?
- Pull the meat off the skewer with your teeth or chopsticks, and eat it while it is hot. Ask for it with sauce (tare) or with salt (shio), whichever you prefer.
Find Yakitori (Grilled Skewers) near you
Jinjja shows real local places, what to order and how to say it — in your language.