Yakitori is Japanese barbecue at its simplest and best — juicy skewers of chicken thigh and spring onion, grilled over high heat and glazed with tare, a sticky-sweet soy basting sauce that caramelises into something truly special.
The tare is what sets yakitori apart. Soy, mirin, sake and brown sugar are simmered down until glossy, then brushed on in layers as the skewers cook, building up a lacquered, smoky-sweet coating you'll want on everything.
You don't need a special grill — a barbecue or a chargrill pan on the stove does the job brilliantly. Serve the skewers with steamed rice and a cold drink, and you've got a backyard izakaya going.
