Isehiro — Restaurant in Tokyo

We couldn’t get reservations at the famous sushi restaurant but came upon Isehiro after a random walk. It’s in a quaint bldg and at night it stands out next to the high-rise hotels and establishments in a square within a couple blocks of the Tokyo Station (Yuesa South exit). lt was a busy night but we were lucky to get a vacant seat for two in the upstairs tatami room. We were surrounded by locals finishing their corporate day at work (the black suits gave it away.) They must know a thing or two about this restaurant. It is quite possibly the best yakitori place on Earth. We had the full course which is a sampling of different yakitori dishes on skewers, as well as yakitori-style tomatoes and cucumbers. The duck, chicken wings over leeks, and liver were just marvelous. The sancho pepper is a rare herb which serves as a dipping rub. Use it lightly, it’s an exotic pepper that can numb your tongue for a brief instant. The yakitori pieces are complemented with a bone broth soup and salad. So happy that the sushi place didn’t take reservations....

Super good lunch! If you love grilled chicken this is where you would want to go for lunch. The place is little hidden in Ginza but not hard to find. For the lunch special there were 2 choices: 4 pc or 5 pc, that is chicken skewers. The 4 pc comes with 4 different cuts: breast, leg, skin and the rest-chicken meatballs. Personally I love the skin, it's grilled to perfection with great flavor and not fatty as you might imagine. The meal completes with homemade chicken broth, that is excellent, filled with chicken flavor.

If you get a chance to sit upstairs, do it. It's the traditional tatami seating with low tables. Order a beer with your meal if you like. It is what summer calls for.

On your way out, peek across the alley where the processing shop is. You will catch a glimpse of 5-6 workers from cutting up the whole chicken to making the skewers to bringing in full and taking out empty sake...

I saw this place from my hotel window at the Marriott Courtyard. I was watching the employees working pretty early and curious so I looked them up in Google. I saw the reviews and figure I would try this place. Well, i was a little disappointed. I wasn't too sure what the big deal especially the high price point. This place specializes in chicken Yakitori. But when I ate the various Yakitori (skin, meat, gizzard, etc), chicken soup, rice, I was scratching my head asking why is this place so special? Yeah, it's a small, cozy, staff is nice, and there is an English menu, but so... I have been to many Yakitori places and this place ranked low in terms of flavor profile and value. Total bill came out to 3200 Yen for two set lunches. Depending on where you can go, you can get 2 skewers for 300 Yen and much tastier. I will have to say the meat here was tender and juicy, just not...