Premium Yakitori in Tachikawa – “Yakitori Ara Bettei En”
Experience expertly grilled rare cuts of yakitori crafted over charcoal by skilled chefs and paired with wine, up close and personal at “Yakitori Ara Bettei En” in Tachikawa.
In the fiercely competitive food scene of Tachikawa, there’s a yakitori restaurant that has earned the favor of discerning food lovers—Yakitori Ara Bettei En. You won’t find typical skewers like negima or momo here. Instead, the menu features rare cuts that can only be sourced in limited quantities from a single chicken, such as premium liver, white liver, tsunagi (connecting muscle), harami (skirt), and filet, along with creative, specialty skewers. The omakase course starts at 1,540 yen (tax included) for 5 skewers. Guests can also select their favorite items à la carte to enjoy at their own pace—a style that defines the experience at this restaurant.
Upon entering, you are welcomed into a calm, mature space with warm wood accents and modern concrete finishes, creating a sophisticated and urban ambiance. The recommended seats are at the U-shaped counter that surrounds the open kitchen which is designed around a charcoal grill. From here, you can take in the sights and sounds of the flames, rising smoke, and the irresistible aroma of skewers being grilled over charcoal—an immersive experience from the perfect distance.
At the heart of the open kitchen, owner-chef Ryota Ara expertly grills each skewer over charcoal, swiftly handling a stream of orders while keeping an eye on guests and giving precise directions to his staff. With experience in both the kitchen and front-of-house, his attentive leadership is reminiscent of a maestro conducting an orchestra. The high-counter seats surrounding the grill offer a front-row view of this live performance—truly the best seats in the house.
Among the must-try items on the menu are the White Liver (385 yen, tax included)—remarkably creamy with no trace of gaminess—and the Sot-l’y-laisse (385 yen, tax included), featuring crispy skin and the juicy, flavorful meat of Daisen chicken. The Sot-l’y-laisse is an exceptionally rare cut, with only one piece available from each thigh, meaning a full chicken is needed for just one skewer. This luxurious delicacy is one of the restaurant’s signature items and appears on the “Limited Skewers” menu.
At this restaurant, each chicken skewer is crafted with a deep understanding of how different cuts offer distinct textures, flavors, and fat content. Depending on the part, they use premium Japanese breeds such as Daisen-dori, Kyo-akadori, or Tanba-akadori, carefully selecting the best match for each skewer. The grilling technique is equally refined, with every skewer prepared to bring out the best in each cut. Even the charcoal is carefully chosen—only Tosa Binchotan, known for its high heat and long burn time, is used. Despite this high-end approach, the skewers are offered at a surprisingly reasonable price—around 300 yen each on average—making the experience both luxurious and accessible.
In addition to yakitori, the menu features unique skewers like Kyoto Kujo green onion sukiyaki skewers and zucchini mozzarella served with a basil-genovese paste, along with several healthy vegetable dishes. They use fresh, local produce from Koyama Farm, a well-known Tachikawa farm famous for its colorful vegetables. Popular items include homemade pickles of colorful vegetables and the Koyama Farm Ara salad, served with a house-made onion dressing.
The owner personally tastes and carefully selects from a collection of 200 wines. The wine list includes 10 varieties of red and white wines, as well as three types of Champagne. In addition, the drink menu features a meticulously crafted Umeboshi Sour made from carefully selected pickled plums, along with local craft beers from Tachikawa Tachihi Brewery. These include the Tachihi Pilsner and Tachihi Pale Ale, drinks that perfectly complement the high-quality yakitori, adding to the restaurant’s appeal.
The exceptional quality of the yakitori at Yakitori Ara Bettei En—meticulously perfected—draws many renowned chefs and celebrities to visit. Welcomed by the passionate and friendly owner-chef and a warm, smiling staff, why not come and enjoy a blissful time at this special restaurant?
| Facility Name | Yakitori Ara Bettei En |
|---|---|
| Address | 1F Terrace Tachikawa, 3-6-19 Shibasaki-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo, Japan |
| Phone | +81-50-5493-4011 |
| Business Hours | Mon–Thu: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Last order 9:30 PM) Fri–Sat: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Last order 10:30 PM) |
| Closed | Sundays |
| Languages Supported | Japanese & English |
| Menu Available In | Japanese & English |
| Official Website |
