Late-night izakaya alert: sample a variety of chicken skewers and enjoy a satisfying drink

Text & photos bySan Gao Chi Han

I passed by Chuanzang Yakitori on Shichijo-dori the other day—oh, it had been ages since I last had yakitori chicken skewers. All I wanted was to have a few skewers along with a little drink. Before heading out, I called ahead to reserve a spot, and that day I went solo.

The shop had just opened and there weren’t many customers yet. The server handed me a wet towel and the menu first. For skewers, you usually need to order at least two per type, but they told me that if I came alone, I could order just one. That made ordering much less stressful.

If you’re in a group of two or three, the Mixed Skewer Set (NT$420), which lets you choose any ten chicken skewers, is also a great option.

● 《ET News Cloud》 reminds you: don’t drink and drive, and never drive after drinking.

The beef was tender and had a pleasant sweetness. Aside from full bottles of shochu, the drink menu didn’t clearly list single-serving options. I got an easy-drinking taro shochu, though I found the flavor a bit mild.

The chicken liver was brushed with a savory, not-too-thick sauce and had a soft texture with good doneness. The raw liver taste was minimal—unless you’re particularly sensitive, it should be fine. The edges of the chicken cartilage were crispy and easy to chew.

Except for the chicken liver and beef, which were grilled with sauce, the rest were salt-grilled. The slightly larger pieces of thigh meat were grilled with the skin on, forming a thin crispy layer that sealed in the juices. With one bite, the juices burst out in your mouth. Paired with the grilled spring onions or soft, tender garlic, they were delicious.

Like the chicken, this was grilled until thin and crispy. It looked great and was rich in fat, but since no sauce was brushed on, it had no off-putting flavors. However, I thought it could’ve used a bit more salt.

The asparagus inside was crisp and sweet, but the beef didn’t have as much presence as I’d hoped. This one was a bit disappointing among the skewers.

This used the leaner part of wagyu beef tongue, which is typically tender and juicy. It was grilled to a slight pinkness, though the edges were a bit overdone. Still, the texture was okay, and the rich flavor made me crave a bowl of plain rice.

The Korean-style kimchi served on the side was also tasty. My preference is for a kimchi that has a touch of sweetness, with a bit of spice but not too sour—and theirs really matched my taste.

This meal was all about flavor and a little drink (there’s a 10% service charge). When paying, I noticed the rack behind the counter displaying skewers of various chicken parts. Hmm? I didn’t see all of them on the menu. If there were even more varieties of chicken skewers, it would definitely be more appealing.

Related Info
Restaurant Name:Chuanzang Yakitori Izakaya
Address: No. 23, Lane 119, Linsen North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Business Hours: 6:00 PM–12:00 AM (Closed on Sundays)
Phone: 02-25319919

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