Torisho Ishii
Osaka, Japan
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
The purely Japanese interior, with its orderly row of lacquer trays, is a setting fit for a kappo. The chef’s kaiseki experience manifests everywhere in the restaurant’s offerings. The name-brand chicken he uses is tender and richly flavoursome. Salt is used with restraint; instead, a light dipping sauce brings out the native flavour of the chicken. Breast meat fried with crumbled rice crackers and rice cooked with seasoned chicken mince are ideas that spring from Japanese cuisine. The restaurant’s name means ‘chicken artisan’, and it’s not hard to see why.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Artistic Yakitori Experience with Hinoki Wood Counter and Binchotan Charcoal Grill
Torisho Ishii features a beautiful hinoki wood counter that wraps around an open kitchen, where the chef performs yakitori grilling as a live art form. The binchotan charcoal grill is set level with the counter, allowing guests an intimate view of the cooking process. Uniquely, the ventilation ducts are installed on the side of the grill rather than above, maintaining a minimalist decor and enhancing the sensory experience.Exclusive Omakase Menu with Seasonal and Rare Chicken Varieties
The restaurant offers only a chef’s omakase course that changes constantly based on seasonal ingredients. It uses high-grade local chicken breeds such as Kumano jidori, Ise Akadori, Nagoya Cochin, and sometimes Tokyo Shamo. This includes unusual cuts like chicken yolk sac (chochin) and chicken testes, elevating yakitori beyond casual dining to sophisticated haute cuisine.Signature Dishes Like the Chicken Burger Combining Juicy Meat with Refreshing Flavors
Among the standout dishes in the omakase course is a chicken burger that blends juicy, high-quality chicken meat with fresh tomato and basil, a creative fusion rarely seen in traditional yakitori restaurants. This dish exemplifies the restaurant’s approach to innovating within the yakitori tradition.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant Torisho Ishii in Osaka are:
High-grade Kumano jidori chicken from Mie Prefecture: This premium chicken is the core ingredient, carefully prepared daily from early morning to ensure freshness and quality.
Chicken hearts (hatsu): A standout yakitori skewer, grilled to a slightly firm texture to highlight the natural sweetness and umami of the meat.
Chicken meatballs (tsukune): Another signature skewer, showcasing the rich flavor and juiciness of the chicken in a refined yakitori style.
Chicken neck meat (seseri): Known for its flavor and texture, this cut is also grilled to emphasize its savory qualities.
Tomato and basil: Used in the notable chicken burger dish served during the omakase, adding refreshing and aromatic notes that complement the juicy chicken.
These ingredients are central to Torisho Ishii’s approach of elevating yakitori from casual fare to high-end cuisine, with precise grilling techniques that bring out the best in each element.
Menu & Pricing
Current Offerings & Prices
Torisho Ishii Menu Summary
- Omakase Course: ¥16,500 (tax included)
- Bento: ¥2,200 (tax included)
- Sashimi of Takasaka chicken: ¥3,500 (tax included) for reservation only