Best Yakitori in Penang

Unlike other eateries where yakitori only shares a slim part of the limelight, at Vino Vino Bistro it's the masterstroke. Amidst the posh setting, one can easily spot a grill master churning out an array of meats and vegetables threaded onto skewers after picking up desired chars over the smouldering charcoal pit. Among the must-have are their asparagus wrapped with beef, chicken wings and chicken meatball with cheese. A slew of Japanese whiskies and curated wines are another scoring point here, you can never deny luscious meats and libation always go hand to hand. 

Nestled in the basement of Gurney Plaza, this famous yakitori hub can be easily identified with a never-ending beeline of patrons and myriad of mouth-watering skewers lined up on charcoal grills. Besides the sheer deliciousness of the addictive morsels, looking at your meat shrivel and pick up charred speckles just amps up the growling in your stomach. The real deal here is opting for the set meal, where skewers sit on a bed of white rice and lashed with homemade sauces and comes with a drink of your choice – for RM9.90, it’s a complete steal. From chicken thigh to crispy chicken skin, Australian lamb chunks to fresh salmon, there is surely something for everyone to drool helplessly.  

In comparison to other Japanese restaurants on the island, Isaribi Tei stands out in a more nature oriented ambience. The entrance walkway is shrouded with lush greenery and the dining space has authenticity written all over. Look beyond sushis and assorted noodles, and delve down their yakitoris. Not a chicken person? Opt for their squid and mackerel rendition that never disappoints any yakitori audience out there.  

Housed in one of the most reputable hotels in Penang, Kirishima Japanese restaurant embraces an upscale dining experience with staggering choices of authentic meals. What to fall in love apart from their fresh and flavourful sushi is their yakitori. Varieties are certainly the name of the game here, from fresh scallops to quail egg, wagyu to ox tongue, eel to King mushroom, one would end their meal with a bastion of skewers. Meticulously done on the grill, the meat or seafood just slides off the stick with ease and a dipping sauce enhances the whole chomping experience.

At the crack of dusk, this renowned restaurant starts to prepare their charcoal grill which is about to be basted with a bevy of skewers strung with meats and vegetables. The lip-smacking stick above is grilled chicken breast with obah leaf and plum, one of the many choices here. Yes, apart from variety, creativity is also a big uptick here. Despite a common conundrum, nothing on the menu falls below the rating of delicious. And beware; they are known to cause severe addictions. 

Sushi Zento has been an anchor of attraction at Precinct 10, offering scrumptious spread of Japanese delights in chic surrounds. An impressive array of sushi and sashimi are the top sellers yet meat-guzzlers couldn’t be any happier with their yakitori. Smoky, succulent and satisfyingly fresh – expect tempting selections like tuna belly wrapped with pork bacon, marinated chicken with homemade teriyaki sauce, pork belly (butabara) and chicken skin, to name a few.