Yakitori 38 — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

Went for dinner with friends, we tried a lot of the cocktails and went with the very reasonably priced set menu which serves 11 items. The ambience was very nice and the whole place had a very elegant but cozy vibe at the same time. I loved the kiiroi garden which was a yuzu and roku gin based cocktail. My friend’s iced matcha latte however, was even more amazing and he had two of the same in a span of 20 minutes. The food was very impressive as the flavours stood out in every item that we were served. Renkon (lotus chips with Parmesan) had such a beautiful umami flavour and I just couldn’t stop eating it. All the chicken skewers had distinct flavour profiles and loved trying the chicken hearts (cooked to perfection). Pork jowl was beautifully prepared and drool worthy. Okura with the 62 degree egg was perfection. It all rounded up beautifully when we finished with the silky smooth matcha icecream. The staff was very friendly and great with recommendations. Their kitchen is open till 11 pm Tues-thur and 1 am Fri-Sat. We have been dying to have some good food options in Canberra where all kitchens shut by 9 pm usually. Can’t wait to be back and try the...

A Hidden Gem in Canberra – Yakitori 38 Delivers Big Flavour

I cannot recommend Yakitori 38 highly enough! Tucked away in Canberra, this place is an absolute treasure for anyone who appreciates authentic Japanese street food done right. The skewers are grilled to perfection — juicy, tender, and bursting with smoky flavour. Every bite feels like you're transported straight to a food stall in Tokyo.

The chicken thigh and pork belly skewers were standouts, and the tsukune (chicken meatballs) were insanely good — flavorful, juicy, and paired perfectly with the tare sauce. They also have some fantastic sides; the Japanese pickles and onigiri were fresh and perfectly seasoned.

The atmosphere is cozy, inviting, and full of character, with the aroma of charcoal grilling adding to the experience. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do.

Whether you're a yakitori enthusiast or just looking for something truly satisfying, Yakitori 38 is a must-visit. Book ahead — it’s small and popular, and for good reason. A five-star...

Yakitori 38 is an okay spot, notbing mind blowing but it's okay and decently priced. The disappointment was the lack of charcoal flavour imparted on the dishes as it was very minute or lacking overall.

Oyster was nice, good batter and fry whole still keeping the oyster fresh.

Pork jowl, nice tender but found no flavouring beside the pork.

Enoki with pork belly notbing special with it more Enoki then pork belly.

Chicken skin the sauce / flavouring was nice but it was still to soft. Was expecting a good crunch but it was a semi soggy dish.

Chicken heart was cooked nice but like I mentioned needed a more charcoal flavour to it.

Mochi was good, had that good crunch, and was cooked over the fire long enough to develop that smoky burnt taste that complimented the mochi nicely.

Unagi just tasted like any Unagi you get ay a bento store, notbing special.

The female server was friendly and nice, and seeing her keep up her friendly manner when she was buzzing around was...