Grilled pork skewers over charcoal for just 15 yuan each—honey-glazed or salt-and-pepper, both uniquely delicious.

Text & Photos /Ahmon

On my first day in Tainan, I went on a street food frenzy—it’s probably the umpteenth stall of the night. Yao Yakitori is a grilled skewer shop I found online. It’s not very famous, and not many people seem to know about it, but the best part? The prices are insanely cheap, all pocket-change level.

The shop is located on Minzu Road. The sign outside is a bit faded and blurry, and the dining area is pretty simple—just a few plastic chairs and metal tables scattered under a shelter, giving off a street vendor vibe. But yes, this place actually has a proper storefront.

We arrived too early—the charcoal wasn’t ready yet, so they wouldn’t take our order. The place doesn’t open until 7:30 PM and stays open until 2 AM, so we ended up wandering around nearby and grabbing drinks to kill time.

If you want beer with your grilled food, the fridge is fully stocked with options.

Hurry up with the fire—I’m starving here.

Help yourself to utensils.

Menu.
There aren’t many types of skewers—mostly pork and chicken. Flavors come in salt-and-pepper or honey-glazed, plus a few side dishes. That’s it. Prices have gone up for two items, but the most basic one starts at 15 yuan. The menu lists “yakitori,” which refers to grilled small birds—I think it’s served whole, but none of us dared to order it.

Grilled Pork, Honey-Glazed – 15 yuan
A pork skewer for just 15 yuan, and it’s grilled over real charcoal. That’s dirt cheap—probably only Tainan offers prices like this. Each skewer has three slices, quite tender. Probably not tenderloin, maybe collar meat? Southern Taiwanese flavors tend to be sweeter, so the honey glaze is generously slathered—almost the whole skewer is coated. The sweet taste is surprisingly delightful.

Grilled Pork, Salt-and-Pepper – 15 yuan
A bit crispier, and the salt-and-pepper topping adds even more flavor. Compared to the honey-glazed one, I personally prefer the salt-and-pepper pork.

Squid, Salt-and-Pepper – 20 yuan

Squid, Honey-Glazed – 20 yuan
Squid has gone up in price. One skewer has about three pieces, varying in size, but they’re pretty soft and chewy—delicious. For squid, I’d recommend the honey-glazed version.

Chicken Wings, Salt-and-Pepper – 30 yuan
The skin is nicely crispy, and the chicken inside is juicy and tender. A must-try dish, and I’d also recommend the salt-and-pepper flavor.

Pig’s Heart, Salt-and-Pepper – 15 yuan
Ordered by a friend—didn’t try it myself since I don’t eat offal.

Before leaving, we ordered more chicken wings and grilled pork to satisfy our cravings.

Overall
The skewers here are great value—affordable and tasty. The only downside is the limited variety; you can finish a round pretty quickly. I’d recommend this place to everyone. Just my personal opinion, take it as you will.

Shop Name: Yao Yakitori
Phone: 06-2266345
Address: No. 52, Section 3, Minzu Road, West Central District, Tainan City
Price: From 15 yuan
Dining date: January 2014