Eating Japanese Yakitori on Tokyo's Memory Lane (Piss Alley)

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Rating: 4.0; Vote: 1

Memory Lane (or Piss Alley as it's commonly known, is one of the most famous old skool places in Tokyo to eat yakitori. Get all the details here: Along with sushi and sashimi, yakitori is one of the most famous foods to eat in Japan. Now although this normally refers to skewers of chicken chicken, these days it can pretty much refer to any kind of meat that's served on a skewer and grilled. Skewers of yakitori are very common to eat at Japanese izakayas, or local pubs. They go particularly well with a beer or sake. When I was in Tokyo, I actually didn't even have plans to visit Memory Lane (Piss Alley) - but I just happened to be walking around the Shinjuku area of Tokyo during the evening, and actually just bumped into the small alley. It wasn't until later when I researched, that I realized where I had gone. So this small street is really famous, and you can probably guess by its former name or nickname, that it used to be a place where many people would drink a few too many beverages, and have to relieve themselves right in the middle of the lane. That is however not so much the case anymore, at least I didn't see anyone But anyway, there are a bunch of different bars to choose from when you go to Tokyo's Memory Lane. There are some really famous places, that serve unique delicacies, but I just chose one that looked pretty friendly, and the restaurant had two open seats for us - if you go in the evening it can actually be tough to even find a place to sit down - so you might just want to grab seats if you see them. The place I chose was located pretty close to the main Shinjuku side of the entrance of the street, but I'm not sure what the name was as it was only in Japanese. You can either order your yakitori skewers one by one, or they also had a tasting menu where you got a mix of five different skewers of yakitori, and then you can choose either the sauce version or the dry version. We could not decide so we decided to get one of each. Our five skewers of yakitori, included a couple of different types of chicken and a couple skewers of pork as well. The skewers on my plate included: tsukune ) - chicken meatballs, tebasaki ) - chicken wing, toriniku - all white meat on skewer, leek wrapped in slices of bacon, and pork belly with leek. All of these skewers were grilled over a hot fire, with a little bit of a flame, so the meat had a slight charred outside giving it a nice smokey flavor. The best part about eating yakitori in Japan, is that they never overcook the meat. These skewers were cooked just so they were done, but so they were still extremely juicy on the inside and delicious. Sauce version, included the sticks of yakitori smothered in light sweet teriyaki like sauce. The dry version was just lightly seasoned with salt and little else. I have to say that the sauce version was definitely my choice, hit the spot. In Japanese it's also known as Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) Tokyo. How to get there: This yakitori lane is right next to Shinjuku station in Tokyo, which happens to be the largest in the city, so you can't miss it, but it can be a bit confusing. Take Shinjuku West Exit and then look for the lane which is marked by a green sign
Date: 2019-08-19

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Comments and reviews: 10

Candice Cai
Mark, I love your videos, they are very informative and I trust your tastebuds (I think, but pleeaaase can you stop with the overly dramatic closed eyes + exhale + moan/grunt of approval. It gets old and I'm sorry to say this, annoying. I know you love your food and so do we, but just describing the food and telling us whether you like it or not is enough, thanks. Right now the exaggerated expressions just makes the review a tad bit unbelievable.
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Tracey Taramai
Just happened too stumble across your youtube page because I was craving kina also known as uni or sea urchin and torturing myself watching others eat it lol Im not allowed any raw seafood because im pregnant =. All your food blogs from japan make me soooo hungry lol the enjoyment you have from every bite is awesome lol. I hope to remake some of the dishes in NZ so I can have that same feeling lol
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jayisoldem56
I disagree I think your expressions and your head tilting and your taste buds really make the food pop out I like the way you show expression on how the food taste that was what attracted me to your videos they look honest they look like the food is delicious and it seems helpful to know what's good and what's not good cuz you seem to be honest about what you like and what you don't like
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Raul Barcenas
Got a question for you mark, im going to japan in 3 weeks but im kinda scared about getting lost in tokyo. What is the best way to travel around tokyo and would you say its easy to get lost? Any advice? I dont speak any japanese so I dont know if ill be able to ask for directions. Thanks in advance Mark
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Braulio Martinez
Hi Mark. Great video. How are you. Did you have to wait to eat all this food, because I have seen other videos where you have to wait 2. 5 hours, I'm planning to visit Japan (2 adults, 2 children, do you recommend a local where we can eat all this? Thanks a lot and greetings from Chile.
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binibining matatag
I don't see the fact why they are annoyed to your expression But I respect their opinion. I still believe that what's make the video amazing to watch aside from food, for me it's kinda a twist to make something much worth to watch. In short without his expression it's boring XD
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G Jay
Went to this place several nights ago, it didn't give me the foodgasm face that Mark gets (lol) but it was tasty and filling. Went up the ladder to the right that you can see at 0: 48 - it was cramped but fun, something we had to experience. The 'meat sauna' description is perfect.
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bigcitykitty
ah yes. this took me back. had forgotten the big chunks of negi, leek. actually, I never had this same experience in a small shop with the meatballs and so forth. I mostly had 6 sticks for Y200 or whatever it was, at street vendors. thanks, another great vid.
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mark Lihayan
Hey Mark, I will fly next Year to Japan. I think i dont go to the normal Restaurants and try some ''Street Foods'' in Japan. If u got some Adresses for me plz sent it if possible. I hope 2 Weeks Japan is enough to try some good foods there: D
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RogueViator
Mark I sat transfixed at the sight of those Yakitori sticks. Man do those ever look good But I have to ask, what's the name of the song playing in the background of the video? Both the music and the food. perfect combo
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