BEST. YAKITORI. IN. NYC. We were able to snag last minute reservations for Torien on a Saturday and we are still talking about all the perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken a week later. From the minute you enter to them walking you out the door after service is over (just like in Japan), it felt like a perfect 10/10 experience. It is no wonder they have received multiple michelin stars. Reservations are for counter/bar seating and you get to watch 2 masters do what they do best: cook chicken over charcoal and fan the heat so that the chicken is cooked perfectly. They make small conversation with you and you can tell how much they love what they do. The tasting menu is a set menu but towards the end, you can order a la carte from the options they have. I was full but my partner ended up adding a gizzard and inner thigh and he said it was some of the best chicken gizzard he's had. They don't cut the hearts or gizzard in half here so the meat stays quite (and I hate this word but) moist while keeping the outside crispy and smokey. We had gone to Kono a few weeks ago and this restaurant blows that out of the water. Price wise, it is expensive for what it is, but it is the best yakitori I have had in the USA. Would definitely go back and recommend it for a cute date night if you're looking to splurge a little. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Fabulous yakitori experience here at Torien. I was treated with so much hospitality from the staff and it truly made the experience so wonderful. The most tender and juicy chicken I've ever eaten for sure. I ate parts of a chicken that I didn't even know existed, so that was cool. I can definitely see myself coming back here. read more

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TLDR: If you're looking to try a yakitori tasting, Torien should be on your list. They're a sister restaurant to Torishiki in Tokyo. Definitely a good spot for a special occasion. I've been wanting to try Torien for a very long time but the stars never aligned. Finally had the chance and I was very pleased overall. Torien is a local branch from the original spot in Tokyo. It's a long counter that wraps around the kitchen so everyone has good seats. They use binchotan or white charcoal which has this incredibly strong and flavorful smokiness. The skewers are on the larger size compared to Torishin if you're looking for comparison. The cuts are don't get too deep down the rabbit hole but felt they did try to introduce more purist skewers. We really enjoyed the chicken thigh, hearts, oyster and I surprisingly loved the cartilage. It's a skewer with the crunchy cartilage but tender meat in the crevices. I also found the finale dish of ramen made with the chicken bones but finished with a binchotan-infused oil. The intense smell was insane and the noodles were perfect and paired with simple white shredded negi. I felt everything between the space, the service and the food of course - was perfect. Will definitely be stopping by again. It's no surprise that many of the Japanese chefs swear by this place. read more

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Torien feels as close to being back in Japan as I could find in NYC while eating amazing yakitori. The chefs welcome each diner and work individually, ensuring considerate attention for each guest throughout the meal. They utilize binchotan charcoal sourced from Japan. Staff were so attentive with drinks and service, kind and knowledgeable in explaining different courses and parts of chicken. The environment is intimate but close knit and lively without being loud at all. The chickens are incredibly juicy and tender with hint of char. Highlights were chicken tail, oyster, heart and broccoli. I had oyakodon before that was just blasts of flavor. The seasonings paired well. Sake and wine options are considerable with some very nice pairings and staff are very helpful in selecting. Overall my favorite yakitori in NYC! read more

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Where do I even start with this place! I have never had chicken prepared at this level of elevation in my whole entire life. The shaft and his team are true artists of the kitchen. We had a variety of chicken skewers and amazing and entertainment and service. I would say my favorite was the knee and inner and outer thigh. This is an amazing traditional experience everyone should at least try once in their life. Highly recommend this place! There is only 18 seats I believe, so you definitely should make a reservation in advance! read more

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Good service and enthusiasm with warm environment. Food was great, particularly the tail, oysters, and the ramen. Dessert was also quite nice. However, compared to the yakitori in Tokyo, falls short and at several fold higher price point. Also, felt quite sick afterwards. Will not be returning. read more

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Authentic - Real but rare Japanese Room for only 18 per sitting Don't be late for the exquisite hand made in front of you 14 unique tasting dishes / like you've never had before - cooked over charcoal Definitely earned its Michelin Star read more

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My favorite yakitori place I've been to outside of Japan! I went here last summer with a friend and it was mind-blowingly delicious. I do have to say, summer is not the best time to go since it's so hot outside and they serve you the chicken fresh off the grill, which only made us sweat more My favorite was probably the chicken heart -- it was my first time having it but it was so delicious! Now I order it everywhere I go that has it. Every dish was honestly absolutely amazing, and I left completely stuffed. Would definitely go back! read more

The food was very good and reminded us of our honeymoon in Japan. I especially liked the chicken tails. Watching the chefs work was also very interesting and enjoyable. That is what kept this from being a one star review. The service, unfortunately, was poor. I expect more from a place with a Michelin star, but it was poor even by normal standards. Our server asked us if we wanted "still or sparkling water" at the beginning of dinner. We said "just regular water." Apparently he interpreted this to mean two bottles Saratoga Springs for $12 a pop. When I noticed and pointed out the issue, he basically implied we were dumb hicks who didn't know what we had asked for. My water glass was left empty for about half of dinner, when I asked for more, and I was informed there were a few drops of the bottled water in the glass still and he "didn't want to mix the water." Which just tilted it from being regular bad service to the kind of bad service we're going to make jokes about for the rest of our lives. A better server at a better restaurant would have apologized and just taken the water off the tab. It's not like $24 is going to make or break our bank accounts or make the restaurant go broke -- It's mostly just the principle of the thing. It felt scammy and scummy. Not things one normally associates with fine dining. In another incident, my spouse wanted to have some extra skewers and was told only gizzards, knee and mushrooms were available. We then watched a chef cut up liver and offer it to another patron. I understand some people are regulars and will get special treatment, but why just straight up lie about what's available to the rest of us, right to our faces? We can all see the kitchen! Bizarre. We will not be coming back. read more

Torien is easily the best high-end yakitori in the city. I've never really bought into the whole "fine dining experience" thing -- it always felt a bit overhyped to me -- but Torien changed that. It's the only place that's ever made me feel like I was truly experiencing something special. The food is always fresh, juicy, and full of flavor. The service is consistently great, and the vibe is just right -- refined but not stuffy. You can see the flames as they grill the skewers, but it's never smoky or greasy. I've been here many times, and it's never once let me down. I'll be leaving the city soon, so this was probably my last visit for a while -- and I'm really going to miss this spot. read more

Torien - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Food 8/10 Great skewers, but nothing absolutely blew my mind away, and that's okay! The food was stellarly cooked, tender, and flavorful, over a grill. The smokiness in each piece was terrific, charred just the right amount. A great variety of chicken parts to try, my favorites were the heart, thigh, and skin. Overall, it was a fun experience, although I don't know if I would return. Atmosphere 8/10 Beautifully decorated interior, dark and wooden atmosphere. Service 10/10 Friendly service, great recommendations for drinks. read more

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Lovely splurge of a yakitori spot. From start to finish, the entire staff was friendly. The host came and chatted at the end, and sent me home with a piece of binchotan charcoal for purifying drinking water, which was a lovely touch. The menu varies depending on when you go. I was hoping our meal was going to end with the premium Japanese melon but the menu was running lemon sorbet instead. Plenty of stand out items such as the cartilage, the bursting egg, heart and meatball. Didn't add on any extras at the end, as I was feeling extremely full. The staff offers the final oyakodon packed as a takeaway, which I gladly accepted. If I remember correctly, the bidet in the front bathroom was not functional. Other than that, loved the entire premises. Highly recommend for a special occasion meal if you ever get the chance to go. read more

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The most tender chicken I have ever had. This experience was unforgettable. At first was curious about an all chicken menu, but each skewer was prepared to perfection. Also this Japanese sweet potato was the best thing I've eaten in a while. Service was excellent with the servers greeting you and walking you out at the end of the meal. 10/10 recommend! read more

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Wonderful experience. I stopped in recently as a single diner and had a blast watching them cook, there weren't any weak bites on the night. The majority of the restaurant sits at the counter where two chefs prepare yakitori through a tasting menu. You have the option to add additional, less available skewers near the end which I would highly recommend. My favorites - the tail skewer, thigh, wing, cartilage, hearts and neck. Everything was so flavorful and textures were awesome. The non yakitori dishes were also great - the chicken pate was a great starter, the rice/omelet dish was a great and more substantial course, and the dessert was nice and light. I didn't try any wines or sake (other than a delicious plum sake dessert wine), but the few teas I tried were delicious. Service is warm, the chefs interact with the diners and it's a great time. read more

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Yakitori Omakase. Every stick was so good. Chicken heart, chicken oysters, and sweet potatoes were the highlights for me, but it was just banger after banger. Beautiful restaurant. It felt like I was in Japan, and it all just gave off a great vibe. It was just one counter seating in front of a sunken kitchen, where they make all the yakitori. I was stuffed to the brim by the end. read more

About a 1-1.5: Torien is a yakitori omakase, and we were curious enough to check them out for dinner. The omakase included: +a Welcome Appetizer - a chicken stock soup with chicken wonton +Thigh +Hearts +Chicken Oyster - with fresh wasabi from shizuoka +Broccoli +Quail Eggs +Skewer Break - yukon potato with brown butter was served +Chicken Meatball +Cartliage +Brussels Sprouts +Wings +Tori Ramen +and, a Lemon Brulee for dessert Unfortunately, we didn't think this omakase reflected the price, as unless you're a vegetarian, having some of the courses being broccoli and brussels sprouts was super disappointing. In addition, some of the yakitori wasn't that great, such as the quail eggs, the chicken meatball, and the wings, as they had a strong 'chicken/poultry' odor to them. Service was great, and the decor of the place was simple and straightforward. We're glad to try this place out, but couldn't recommend. +omakase does not reflect offerings read more

Truly unique experience. This was my first time trying yakitori in this way. Each piece of the chicken is coursed out and served hot and fresh. It's interesting to experience the unique taste and texture of each part of the chicken. Service is friendly and the atmosphere is festive. Insider's Tip: Come hungry. I was skeptical skewers would fill be up but it ends up being a lot of food! read more

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delicious yaki tori with extensive drink menu!! we had a great time at torien, each piece was cooked perfectly -- the chef is so talented! I wish there was slightly more variety, since a number of the pieces tasted identical, but I would definitely recommend giving this place a try!! :)) read more

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Simply blew me away! We have tried various Michelin star restaurants in NYC and this one stood out! I have never tasted better chicken. Every dish was so good and unique. Chef was so nice and service was great too. 100% recommend! read more

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We reserved a VIP room for a group of six, and the experience was excellent. We loved all the food served by the restaurant, especially the chicken oyster and chicken knee. The servers did an outstanding job explaining each dish in detail. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 We'll definitely return with friends and family who want to try out this fantastic Japanese restaurant! read more

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Big fan of Torien. If my body and wallet could handle it I would eat chicken here all the time! You have to add the chicken "tail", sooooo good! Don't think too hard. It's every Japanese person's favorite. Another favorite was the dashi potato! I've been trying to recreate it at home as well. Surprisingly I was very full at the end. I had to give my noodles to my partner who was also very stuffed (and we eat a lot). The sake pairing was extremely delicious and the somm was super knowledgable and fun to chat with! Come here for a special occasion and have an amazing night! read more

Yes! Yes! Yes! Ambience 10/10, service and professionalism of staff 10/10, food 20/10. Unpretentious little Cozy spot, which serves authentic Yakitori. Though it is a little hard to find. The staff all well dressed in suits that fit properly, the restaurant is basically a bar that sits 15 people, and quite hard to get a reservation here, and that's perfectly understandable. This is an amazing spot because the waiters and chefs raise the bar. The menu consists of a 14 course meal, now don't be alarmed, the portions are designed to keep you wanting.. more. Each guest is assigned a chef, and your meal is cooked right in front of you, by chefs who look like they absolutely love their jobs and love to feed you. Atsushi was our chef and he was a delight. I could be exaggerating, but believe me, when I say, each dish is served with love, perfection and wholesomeness, and you could taste that , in the meals because everything we had was tasty, fresh and out of this world. Aki was our server, and he was very friendly but professional. The night started off with a welcome appetizer, then we were served daikon radish which is a palette cleanser to prepare our taste buds for the next dish which were the thighs, 10/10. Although I loved each dish that was served, my Favorite plates were the cartilage because of the uniqueness, the skewer break- aka truffle soup, hearts, wings, thighs- very well seasoned, neck skin, and the chicken over rice with truffles. What I loved the most, was that when we made the resy, We indicated a Food allergy, and my chef -Asushi remembered and immediately swapped my plate with something more accommodating, (talk about hospitality) Bathrooms were extremely clean, with automatic toilet seats (fancy) waiters were extremely attentive, and we were able to bring our own bottle of wine. Torien is definitely an adventure I would like to experience again. read more

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Went back in July but posting my review in November. I had the pleasure of dining at torien, and it was truly one of the best yakitori experience I've had in NYC. From the moment we entered until the moment I left, the staff were incredibly attentive and professional. The service was top-notch. Now, let's talk about the highlight: the yakitori prepared by Chef Rodrigo. They were simply exceptional. Despite being piping hot, I couldn't resist taking a bite of those tender, moist, and flavor-packed skewers. Each one was grilled to perfection, bursting with rich flavors. I must commend the chef for his engagement with customers throughout the course. I made sure to arrive hungry, and I'm glad I did because the meal was not only delicious but also satisfyingly filling. read more

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If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. An absolutely phenomenal experience. The service was amazing, and the food was out of this world. I never would have thought that eating grilled chicken parts would blow my mind, but I was pleasantly surprised. It should be noted that I was very skeptical going in. I mean, what would be so great about eating parts of the chicken that we typically wouldn't eat? Boy, was I wrong. Torien definitely was deserving of its Michelin star. Everyone, from the servers to the grill masters, was incredibly nice and professional. Every single skewer carried its own unique umami flavor and was grilled to perfection over charcoal. I'm not the biggest fan of broccoli, but they somehow made me a fan of their grilled broccoli. Now, I know that for some people, the thought of grilled arteries may not sound the most appetizing. However, the chewy and fatty texture combined with the grilled flavors created magic. Not to be outshined by the skewers, the crown melon was delightfully sweet and juicy, worthy of its crown. Until next time, Torien. I will be dreaming about this place and plan on making a reservation the next time I'm back in New York! read more

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This was a unique experience as yakitori omakase is not common. The set course was good. It's difficult create a wide range to please a palate with just grilled chicken skewers. They tried to do that with the different parts of chicken. Every bite was delicious but it is a lot of chicken and the tastes start to blend. There is a break from the chicken with a potato dish, and it was delicious. The shiso sorbet has the perfect blend of shiso and sweetness - this course stood out the most to me. The service is great and attentive. Everything was clean and thought through. I want to give a shout out as the bathroom is a bidet and clean. read more

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Hands down the best chicken yakitori place I've ever been and I've eating all over Asia! Service was incredible! Can't wait to come back! read more

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Very high quality chicken and binchotan. The nice open kitchen and great service! I know this place in Japan is one of the most popular yakitori restaurants but the price for chicken is pretty expensive. read more

Torien - Aged sweet potato - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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This is an unique experience and I 1000% recommend. Food was so good, there's no words to describe. Matsu is the guy.... I can't wait to go back. read more

Torien is the sister restaurant to what many consider the best yakitori restaurant in Japan Torishiki which is led by chef Yoshiteru Ikegawa. Following Ikegawa's style of cooking over Kishu-binchotan charcoal Torien is an amazing yakitori spot well deserving of its Michelin star. The 2+ hour 13 course Omakase starts with an appetizer, followed by various chicken and vegetable skewers, finishing up with Oyakodon, and then dessert. There is also the option for additional skewers (the 13 course menu is a lot of food). Our favorite dishes were; Chicken Thigh Chicken Oyster - this was absolutely phenomenal. Chicken Meatball - another phenomenal skewer. Cartliage Oykodon Knee Cartliage (this was an additional piece) Service was top notch across the board. Reservations are not hard to get and for a special experience sit at the counter to watch the chefs work their magic. read more

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One of the best yakitori experiences I've ever had. You first walk up to a blacked out establishment with no sign on the door. Very secretive I would say. Upon entering we were greeted and sat almost immediately. The chefs all greeted us loudly and proudly. The service throughout the whole dinner was spectacular with great attention to detail. I left extremely full which I am glad because the meal was not cheap. I will say it was worth it and I would recommend it as one of your splurge meals when visiting or as a local. We celebrated our anniversary this weekend and this meal satisfied us. After the meal the host and chef walked us out and waved to us until we reached the end of the block. read more

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I know what you're thinking: yakitori omakase? For how much?! In the back of my mind, I thought the same thing, but hear me out. Much like a sushi omakase, you are paying for the ambience, the people entertaining and preparing everything in front of you, and the food itself. For days when you really just want some meat, this is a great alternative to sushi omakase. Everything I ate was simple, yet fantastic, even the vegetable skewers! And kudos for using all the parts for the various skewers so nothing goes to waste. My favorite were the chicken oysters! The add-on dishes were good as well and definitely worth a try. Wish they had the ramen when I went, but they said it would be back. The staff were all very friendly and made sure we were enjoying everything. However my one small gripe was that it took about 2.5 hours to finish and for skewers, I'm not sure if that is a good time, maybe 1.5 hours is more like it. I would say it's worth a try at least once. Different from the usual places. My friend was stuffed. I was still a little hungry, but what else is new? read more

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Celebrated friend's 30th birthday. We had a private room for 4 guests. It was really dark inside. Felt like we were being served by fancy ninjas. The skewers were equally delicious and the meats were tender. The waiter explained which spice paired well with each dish. Green spice had an interesting numbing taste. The beers tasted great - Echigo Stout was dark but didn't taste heavy & the Kawaba was light. We ordered their specialty for that evening -- esophagus and tail. They sold out of chicken artery. Started to get full half way through the course. Surprising because the skewers were small. I personally didn't like the daikon radish (palate cleanser). The waiter gave us complimentary Yuzu sake -- thank you!! Restaurant was well worth the experience for the price tag. read more

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Came here for my birthday, we arrived early, but there is no bar, and you are not allowed entry until your scheduled time. Understandable because our reservation was at 8:00 pm and they didn't want to rush the 5:30 parties. Every piece was made with precision. The chef makes the yakitori over coal in front of you, and explains to you each piece, along with the best way to eat it. There is a pre-set menu, however you are able to order extra pieces. My favorite were the quail eggs along with the chicken cartilage. Definitely a place we would be visiting again. It's not a place I would frequent, but if anyone has a special occasion and wants to experience authentic Japanese yakitori this is the place to visit. Staff is attentive, and atmosphere puts you at ease. read more

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Service was amazing. Overall had a good experience. Interior is decorated very nicely, very intimate. The staff and chefs were very friendly. Food is good. Nothing really popped for me that I remember. I expected a little more wow factor in terms of flavor. It's nice to try and experience. read more

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We were fortunate enough to score a reservation during our trip to NYC - we have enjoyed other omakase in the past but were looking for something a bit different and Torien fit the bill perfectly! With only 17 seats all seated around the counter, it's an intimate yet cozy environment. The service is on point and extremely attentive to detail, and while the atmosphere is elevated, it's not stuffy or snooty in the least, despite Torien being a US offshoot of Michelin-starred restaurant Torishiki in Tokyo. They ensure there are no allergies or certain food preferences before you begin, and are accommodating if applicable. What makes Torien unique is their menu - the omakase focuses on yakitori instead of the typical sushi. We had 15 courses, and with the exception of a few appetizers, vegetable skewers, and dessert, everything was centered around chicken and utilized all of its various parts, including less common ones such as cartilage, gizzard, neck skin, etc. We even had the opportunity to add on some heart skewers, which was awesome! I won't go into too much detail since the menu likely varies over time, but everything was delicious and flavorful - my favorites were the thigh and neck skin, as well as the chicken paitan ramen I had at the end (we could choose the ramen or oyakodon). Unlimited daikon was also complimentary as a palate cleanser between courses. In addition to the food, the experience itself was amazing - our seats were at the end of the counter so we could see our chef cooking our side's skewers and it was quite interesting to watch. Pacing was executed well - we didn't feel rushed but never went too long without food and had plenty of time to chat and relax with drinks. We were reasonably full after but not painfully so. Our chef and server were friendly and made small talk with us as well. In total, we spent about ~2.5 hours there, which may seem like a long time, but it didn't feel like it was dragging at all. Overall, though it may be categorized as more of a special occasion restaurant due to the price and menu, would highly recommend Torien for anyone who enjoys yakitori and/or is looking for perhaps a unique omakase/dining experience! read more

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Choose the Ramen, the dish I will be dreaming about that closed our our food journey. Loved the flavor of the char and elevated essence of the simple pieces of meat. Favorites: neck and wing, with the crispy charred edges. Intimate dining experience and delicious meal with awesome sake pairings and attentive service. read more

Torien - Chicken ramen....perfection in a bowl. - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Fantastic from start to finish. Unique dining experience with a flair for the presentation and tastiness. Chef Rodrigo, chef Daniel and hostess Dee made it special with host Casey making sure everything was perfect. I'll be back and I'm bringing some friends! read more

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This review is long overdue. Just before the NYC lockdown, I was able to luckily dine at the new Torien. I really hope when all this ends, I can revisit! My bf and I had a wonderful experience; I think I may have liked this more than Torishin, but it's been awhile. Our yakitori meal consisted of the following: Amuse bouche Chicken thigh Shoulder Okra Chicken Heart Gazpacho Gingko nuts Neck skin Shiitake Knee Tofu Duck Chicken meatball Chicken wing Oyster Chicken rice bowl The chicken and non meat yakitori was all top notch, but ones that particulary stood out for me was the knee and neck skin. I loved the tofu and chicken thigh as well. The kitchen is right at the counter, and chefs skillfully prepare each takitori. While the bar was full, things moved rather smoothly. I felt engaged enough with the chef, and there wasn't any prolonged periods of sitting without food. The service here was extremely friendly as well. I highly recommend this place for a future visit. The experience felt intimate in a sophisticated yet somewhat cozy enviroment. I also enjoyed our final dishes which was the chicken rice bowl (for an additional cost). Though, I could opt for more yakitori instead. If you're going pretty late, they may run out of some meats if you order more post omakase. All in all, a worthy experience. I'll be back when things reopen! read more

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The new one Michelin star yakitori for 2022! 15-course $180 will surely make you happy The first raw beef with tomato and fried chicken skin crisp, tart and appetizing! The second chicken thighs were charred on the outside and tender on the inside. The third chicken breast wrapped in basil leaves was tender and juicy. My friends loved the second and third skewers. The fourth chicken thigh meat was wrapped in shallots and the meat was tender. The fifth shoulder meat was more tender than the thigh meat. The seventh grilled chicken wings came with lemon, so you could squeeze your own lemon juice. The eighth potato was super tender and buttery! There was a layer of caramel on top. The ninth two grilled chicken knee pieces with shredded raw onion. The tenth grilled mushrooms were delicious and juicy. The eleventh chicken skin locked in the juices so the chicken was tender.The twelfth zucchini was charred and juicy. The thirteenth meatball was the one I was most looking forward to and tasted like a Japanese meatball. The fourteenth has a choice of chicken broth runny egg ramen or chicken proscuitto with chicken broth. read more

amazing...！I recently had the pleasure of dining at Torien, and I must say it was an incredible experience. The chicken softbone was especially delicious - it was cooked to perfection! The chicken skin was also superb - it was definitely some of the best yakitori I've ever had in NYC. Highly recommend! read more