We’ve adopted a number of delicious trends from the Japanese, sushi, and ramen, to name a few. Yakitori grilling is another culinary concept worth trying. And it’s definitely going to make your backyard barbecue party a hit!
Follow this guide and get one of the best yakitori grills on the market so you will be all set up for a Japanese grilling experience.
Essentially, a yakitori grill is a unit specifically designed for cooking up small skewers of chicken all brushed with a delightfully flavored glaze. But you can use it for all kinds of skewers with meat and vegetables too.
Come on, who doesn’t like food on a stick?
Our recommendations for Best Yakitori Grill:
- Best Overall: Party Griller Charcoal Yakitori Grill
- Best Tabletop Charcoal Yakitori Grill: Noto Dia Shichirin Hida Konro
- Best Gas Option: Iwatani Aburiya Portable Grill
- Best Electric Option: Zojirushi Indoor Electric Grill
- Best Budget Option: Isumer Portable Charcoal Grill
The Best Yakitori Grills Reviewed
What kind of yakitori grill are you looking for?
Tabletop, stand-alone, or the most affordable option? Charcoal, gas, or electric grill?
Well, whichever is your preference, we got you covered. We have carefully selected the best product for each type.
Note: Below you can find a few more guides that we think you will find interesting:
Best Overall: Party Griller Charcoal Yakitori Grill
This charcoal grill from Party Griller is your basic all-around winner when it comes to Yakitori-style grilling. It’s made of stainless steel, so it looks sharp and sleek with its glistening silver exterior.
The cool thing is, it’s rust-proof, so this color will last even through season after season of exposure. It’s also warp-proof, so it won’t develop those bends and kinks you see in other grills.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Grilling Area: 352 (sq.in)
- Weight: 26 lbs
- Build Materials: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 32″ x 11″ x 34″ (L x W x H) – with stand
Features
Size: The Party Griller is long and lean, with enough room to really fill it up with skewers. With 352 square inches of grilling area, it’s the largest unit in this review.
Portable: This grill is portable, too, so you can bring it to the next tailgating party, and it will be a hit.
Vents: You’ve got vents on both ends so you can control the heat that way. There is also a split grate so you can easily maneuver the charcoal around to disperse heat more to your liking.
Summary
The Party Griller Yakitori Grill uses charcoal as fuel. It’s the original way of cooking these tasty skewers producing flavorful aromas wafting around your food. If you really want to prepare some authentic Japanese yakitori, be sure to stock up on the Binchotan variety of charcoal. It ensures a long and clean burn and great sear.
The only complaint we have about this product is that it really has some sharp edges that can cut you. So be careful when unpacking and handling it!
Have fun with this grill because overall, it’s the best Yakitori grill available. Make it a priority to have a gathering as soon as you can to show off your new specialty purchase.
Enjoy the delights that skewers can bring – alongside your friends and family. It will definitely be a lovely time!
What We Love
- Portable and versatile
- Made of sturdy and durable stainless steel
- Large grilling area
- Uses charcoal for an authentic taste
- Comes with two stainless steel mesh grates
- Includes seasoning shakers and BBQ tongs
What We Don’t
- The grill has some sharp edges
Best Tabletop Charcoal Yakitori Grill: Noto Dia Shichirin Hida Konro
This is an absolute treasure of a grill because it’s so authentic looking AND it’s a great performer.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Grilling Area: 70 (sq.in)
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Build Materials: Diatomaceous earth (grill), Paulownia wood (base), and Iron with zinc plating (mesh)
- Dimensions: 6.3″ x 11.4″ x 5.1″ (L x W x H)
Features
Size: If you’re cooking for a large group of people, you might want to have another bigger grill as well. Or you could have one of these for each table since the grilling area of this unit is only about 70 square inches.
Design: It has a beautiful pearl colored backdrop with lovely Japanese lettering and whimsical artistic touches.
Materials: It’s enameled so it is smooth to the touch and will not overheat during the cooking process. Another slick thing is, it’s got a wooden base so you don’t have to worry as much about the surface of the table you’re cooking on. The insulation is built in here.
Summary
The Noto Dia is a table-top charcoal grill that is sure to be the center of attention at your next family dinner or backyard party because of the decorative Japanese exterior.
It uses charcoal, so you’ll get a great sear and that subtle flavoring from the smoke.
This grill is not just eye-candy, it’s the real deal!
What We Love
- Easy to transport and store
- Authentic Japanese charcoal grill
- Looks beautiful
- Lightweight with sturdy wooden base
- Made in Japan
What We Don’t
- Small grilling area
- Not the most durable grill
Best Gas Option: Iwatani Aburiya Portable Grill
The Iwatani is a nice and convenient little Yakitori grill. It is meant for use on a table only, so you need to be aware of that if you’re planning on having a Yakitori zone in your yard. Make sure that you have a nice spot designated for it because it doesn’t have its own legs to stand on.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: LP Gas (Iwatani cassette gas)
- Grilling Area: about 100 (sq.in)
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Dimensions: 8.43″ x 16.1″ x 5.28″ (L x W x H)
Features
Size: This is a small grill, so you can only fit around 6 to 8 skewers on it.
Portable: The small size and light weight make this grill more portable. The grill only weighs about 5 pounds.
Easy and fast: Because you don’t need to wait for coals to heat up, you’re basically able to turn this guy on and have skewers ready in no time at all. With one cassette of gas, you can have 90 minutes of grill time, which is ample opportunity to cook up something delicious. It’s best to buy the Iwatani butane gas cassettes for this grill.
Summary
The Iwatani is a gas Yakitori grill, ideal for those who don’t like to mess with charcoal. Also, the control panel is super user-friendly so even a beginner chef will have an easy time with it.
Consider bringing an Iwatani along