Savoring Seasonal Yakitori in Omihachiman

Here in Omihachiman, we are passionate about providing our customers with the ultimate yakitori experience every day. In this place, which has long flourished as a merchant town and is surrounded by rich nature, we offer Omihachiman Yakitori that makes the most of local blessings. Our yakitori is not just delicious; we constantly strive to ensure you can experience the rich transition of Japan's four seasons with all your senses. We hope that all our guests will enjoy to their heart's content these special skewers that capture the very breath of the season, unique to Omihachiman.

Perhaps you've thought, 'I love yakitori, but I tend to stick to the same menu,' or 'Since I'm visiting Omihachiman, I want to find a special dish unique to this place and this season.' To meet the expectations of those wishing to escape the everyday and have a special time, our restaurant offers seasonal, special chicken dishes that you won't find at a typical yakitori place. It is our pleasure to deliver an unforgettable culinary experience that will resonate with you.

The Story of a Skewer: Omihachiman Yakitori Woven from Seasonal Ingredients

The combination of chicken raised in the rich nature of Omihachiman and ingredients that can only be tasted in their season creates a once-in-a-lifetime deliciousness. We aim to deliver the transition of the four seasons to our customers, encapsulated in each and every skewer of yakitori.

The Changing Flavors of 'Omi-dori' Chicken by Season

• The 'Omi-dori' chicken we carefully select changes its character with the seasons. In spring, enjoy a youthful and springy texture; in summer, a powerful and firm meatiness; in autumn, a deep richness with more fat; and in winter, a condensed flavor from the cold-tightened meat. Our chefs, who know everything about how changes in the rearing environment affect the chicken's flavor, select and carefully prepare the chicken when it is at its most delicious.
• For each skewer, we determine the perfect grilling level to maximize the unique character of that day's Omi-dori chicken. With a heat that is neither too strong nor too weak, the outside is fragrant while the inside remains juicy. The savory juices that overflow with every bite and the deep umami are a masterpiece that truly lets you feel the four seasons of Omihachiman. In addition to our classic cuts, we also offer seasonal rare cuts to provide our customers with new discoveries.

An Encounter with Seasonal Vegetable Skewers

• What further enhances the deliciousness of yakitori are our seasonal vegetable skewers. Fresh, vibrant vegetables that can only be tasted in their season arrive from our partner farms near Omihachiman, a true gift from the earth. In spring, we offer pleasantly bitter mountain vegetables and asparagus; in summer, sun-drenched Kamo eggplant and Manganji peppers; in autumn, sticky taro and fragrant mushrooms; and in winter, sweet daikon radish and green onions. We carefully skewer the best vegetables of each season and serve them with seasonings designed to perfectly complement the chicken.
• The moment the umami of the chicken and the sweetness and aroma of the vegetables melt together in your mouth is pure bliss. The natural sweetness, bitterness, and unique texture of the vegetables add depth to the flavor of the yakitori. From simple salt grilling to a finish with our special sauce, we use cooking methods that maximize the inherent qualities of each vegetable to captivate our customers.

Enjoying Seasonal Chicken Dishes as an 'Omihachiman Izakaya'

We are more than just a yakitori restaurant; as an izakaya in Omihachiman where you can feel the changing seasons, we offer a variety of chicken dishes. In addition to yakitori, our à la carte dishes featuring seasonal ingredients are another major attraction of our establishment.

Seasonal Specialty: Omi Kamo Duck

• A winter tradition in Omihachiman is the 'Omi Kamo' duck, known for its high-quality fat and deep umami. The duck is at its most delicious during the cold season. We offer this Omi Kamo duck with a different approach than our yakitori. For example, our 'Omi Kamo no Tataki' (seared Omi duck), featuring fragrant, thinly sliced seared duck, has an exquisite balance of rich umami and elegant fat, pairing exceptionally well with sake.
• We also offer seasonal dishes like 'Omi Kamo Nabe' (duck hot pot) and 'Steamed Omi Kamo Duck and Seasonal Vegetables.' The harmony created by the rich broth from the duck and the sweetness of seasonal vegetables is an exceptional flavor that warms both body and soul. If you visit Omihachiman, we highly recommend trying these seasonal Omi Kamo duck dishes.

Savor the Season with 'Omi-dori Mizutaki'

• During Omihachiman's cold season, we also recommend our heart-warming 'Omi-dori Mizutaki.' The cloudy white broth, made by carefully simmering Omi-dori chicken bones over a long period, is a rich and deeply flavorful concentration of chicken umami. By simmering fresh Omi-dori cuts and seasonal vegetables in this broth, the natural flavors of the ingredients are brought out to their fullest.
• We change the ingredients for our mizutaki with each season. For instance, in winter, we add plenty of warming root vegetables, and in spring, we include freshly sprouted mountain greens, always proposing the most delicious combinations for the time of year. You can enjoy variations in flavor not just with ponzu sauce, but also with our homemade condiments and seasonal citrus. To finish, you can savor the blessings of the Omi-dori chicken to the very end with a zosui (rice porridge) made in the umami-rich soup.

Pairings with Drinks that Evoke the Changing Seasons

Delicious yakitori and chicken dishes are incomplete without the right drink. Along with the rich food culture cultivated in Omihachiman, we are particular about our drink lineup so that you can more deeply experience the changing seasons.

Local Sake: A Perfect Match for Yakitori

• Shiga Prefecture is blessed with abundant water and rice, making it a treasure trove of unique local sake. At our restaurant, we offer a wide selection of Japanese sake brewed by breweries in Omihachiman and throughout Shiga, including limited seasonal arrivals. For example, in spring, the fresh aroma of new sake enhances the delicate flavor of yakitori, while in summer, a crisp, dry sake perfectly matches the smokiness of charcoal grilling. In autumn, aged hiyaoroshi deepens the umami of rich chicken dishes, and in winter, you can leisurely enjoy a cup of warm sake.
• In addition to sake, we also offer seasonal recommendations for shochu, wine, and craft beer. Our staff can suggest pairings, such as a white wine with light chicken breast or a red wine with rich chicken thigh or Omi Kamo duck, so please feel free to ask. For those who do not drink alcohol, we also have seasonal non-alcoholic beverages available.

A Luxurious Finish with Seasonal Desserts

• To conclude your meal, how about a homemade dessert made with plenty of seasonal fruit? From strawberry tarts in spring and peach compote in summer to chestnut mont blanc in autumn and yuzu sorbet in winter, we carefully select the most delicious seasonal ingredients and make each dessert by hand.
• Ending a satisfying meal of yakitori and chicken dishes with a refreshing sweetness is a truly blissful moment. Why not enjoy it with a post-meal coffee or seasonal tea and let the conversation bloom?

The Essence of 'Omihachiman Chicken Cuisine': Attentive to Our Customers

What we value is not just serving delicious food. It's about being attentive to each and every customer and helping to create special memories in Omihachiman.

The Artisan's Commitment to 'Shun' (Seasonality)

• To ensure you can experience the changing seasons with all your senses, we make no compromises when selecting our ingredients. Every morning, our chefs personally inspect the fresh ingredients arriving from the market and our partner farms, judging their best condition for the day. During preparation, they assess the direction of the chicken's muscle fibers and the distribution of fat, pouring their soul into every skewer, from preparation to grilling.
• Listening to the temperature and humidity of the charcoal fire, the scent of the smoke, and even the faint sounds the ingredients make—delivering each skewer to the customer at the peak of perfection. This is the essence of the artisan's craft, honed over many years, and the heart of our beloved 'Omihachiman Yakitori.' We will accommodate requests for your preferred level of cooking and seasoning as much as possible, so please don't hesitate to let us know.

The Heart of Warm Hospitality

• So that our customers can thoroughly enjoy their time with us, we put our hearts not only into the food but also into our hospitality. When you arrive, we will carefully explain the 'Today's Specials' and provide detailed information about the seasonal ingredients and cooking methods.
• Of course, we are happy to consult on drink pairings, but we are also delighted to share local information, such as Omihachiman's tourist spots and nearby attractions. Our entire staff strives to provide attentive service so that you might discover new flavors and ways to enjoy your meal through conversation with us. We will also do our best to accommodate customers with children or those with allergies, so please consult with us in advance.

Practical Steps to More Deeply Savor 'Omihachiman Yakitori'

Here are our suggestions for enjoying Omihachiman yakitori even more while experiencing the changing seasons firsthand. Please use them as a reference.

1. Ask for the 'Seasonal Recommendations' when you book
   A simple 'What's most delicious right now?' before your visit allows us to tell you about special ingredients and dishes of the season in advance.
2. Check 'Today's Specials' on the menu
   Once seated, please first look at the 'Today's Specials' menu. It features exceptional dishes made with the best ingredients our chef sourced that day, which can only be enjoyed right now.
3. Ask the staff about 'Seasonal Drinks'
   If you're unsure which drink pairs best with your yakitori or chicken dishes, don't hesitate to ask our staff. We will suggest the perfect drink based on your preferences and its compatibility with the food.
4. Experience the changing seasons with regular visits
   The four seasons of Omihachiman are strongly reflected in our menu. Please come and experience the different faces of 'Omihachiman Yakitori' throughout the year. You're sure to find something new with every visit.

Through these steps, we hope your 'Omihachiman Yakitori' experience will be an unforgettable one.

Here in Omihachiman, we are constantly pursuing new flavors while preserving the traditional taste of 'Omihachiman Yakitori.' In particular, by incorporating seasonal ingredients brought by Japan's rich four seasons, we strive to make our customers feel that our food is 'always new, always delicious.'

Omi-dori chicken that changes with the seasons, Omi Kamo duck and seasonal vegetables that can only be enjoyed at certain times of the year. It is our pleasure to serve these to our customers in the best possible way. We cherish the artisan's skill in every skewer, our warm hospitality, and the encounters we have with our customers. We sincerely look forward to your visit. Please fully enjoy our exquisite chicken dishes, woven by the seasons, along with the atmosphere of Omihachiman.