Yakitori K-1

*** K-1 has been replaced by Wa Dining Okan. You can find posts here and here.

I approached Yakitori K-1 with a bit of apprehension, because I really can't remember the last time I had good Yakitori. Still, seeing the sign for Yakitori K-1, every time I shopped at Nijiya finally wore me down.

We arrived at 6pm, and found the tiny, spartanly decorated shop, empty.

The menu was simple, and short, but all the usual suspects were present.

So we placed our orders...and off we went.  It is normal to order several different items, and eat slowly, usually with "liquid refreshment", but Yakitori K-1 is still in the process of obtaining a liqour license. I started with one skewer of Momo (Thigh - Momoniku - $1.29), and Negima, Chicken pieces(In this case chicken breast) and Green Onions($1.79).

The Momo is a good test of the Tare(basting sauce), and cooking technique. The Missus thought the Tare was really salty, I thought it was pretty one dimensional, with shoyu overpowering everything else. The chicken pieces were fairly moist, but I'd have enjoyed my chicken a bit more caramelized. In a case like this, I'd rather just have "Shio", or salt on the chicken. The chicken breast was kind of dry, it would have been really nice if the some of the skin was left on the chicken. And just two pieces of Negi(green onions) meant that you were not going to get the flavor of the green onions in every bite, unless you did the sword swallowing thing.....

The ShisoMaki (Shiso wrapped thigh - $1.49), and 2 orders of Teba (Tebasaki - Grilled Chicken Wings  - $1.99):

The Shiso Maki, was simple lightly basted thigh, though I really thought it was breast. In this case the minty-basil flavored shiso went well with the lightly basted chicken, which was very moist. It had me wishing for Momo no-Ume Shiso, where minced ume (Japanese Pickled Plum) is mixed with shoyu, mirin, and sake, and slathered onto one side of the chicken. Thinly julienned Shiso is sprinkled on the ume concoction. This is really good stuff! The Teba was by far the best item we had all night. Simply seasoned and grilled, skin crisp, with a small squeeze of lemon, these almost had the addictive "crack like" quality like really good Tebasaki.

Because I needed a bit of starch in the midst of this protein-fest, I also ordered the K-1 Stick(skewered rice balls with tare - $1.49).

These are like mini Yaki Onigiri(grilled rice balls). Excellent texture, crunchy on the exterior, moist and starchy interior. The Tare fell seriously short here as well, just a strong shoyu flavor.

The Missus ordered the Tsukune Bowl($4.99).

Tsukune refer to the Chicken Meatballs. The Missus thought they were very rubbery, and lacked flavor. In fact She traded 3 meatballs for 1 Teba. The tamago(egg), was well, tamago. The ground chicken was sauced with the tare, though here it tasted a bit sweeter. One thing for sure, there sure was enough rice.

To be perfectly fair, Yakitori K-1 was out of two of our favorites; the Sunagimo(gizzards), and Kawa (skin....mmm...skin...). So we weren't able to sample those. As we left, several customers walked in the door.

The prices at Yakitori K-1 are very reasonable, though I'd steer away from the combinations, which have mostly Momoniku and Mune(Sasami - skinless breast). I'm far from an expert on Yakitori, you may enjoy the Tare at Yakitori K-1, it's just not to our taste.

Yakitori K-1
3860 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Comments

[Chubbypanda]

Hey Kirk,

Sounds like a fairly sub-par experience. For all my bitching about what we don't have up in OC, we are blessed with some excellent yakitori places, including Shinsengumi, Kappo Honda, and Honda-ya. Mmmm... Shisou wrapped in pork belly...

Better luck with the next yakitori spot.

- CP

[Rachel]

Theres more than one type of yakitori?? Wow Japanese cuisine has so many layers ... its like an onion ... or an ogre :)

[santos.]

i am strangely attracted to how uniform the shapes are. ooh, square chicken. round rice. too bad it wasn't so tasty.

[dave]

hey kirk,
i know nothing about yakitori, having only eaten it at one place, but that one place seemed pretty good. it's Yakitori Yakudori in hillcrest, on 6th avenue. they have a good happy hour special, too. can't remember what the food deal is, but the beer is half-price!

[nhbilly]

nothing like meat on a stick ;-)

If you're ever around this side of the neck of the wood
Tustin - Honda Ya yummy yakatori
556 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
7148320081

Fountain Valley - Shinsegumi yakatori
18315 Brookhurst St
Fountain Valley, CA
7149628971

[Lynnea]

Oh my goodness, once again you read my mind, Kirk!

Just last weekend I was at Nijiya and I thought "I wonder if Yakitori K-1 is any good, I wish Kirk would review it" and you did! Sorry to hear that it wasn't that great. I'm still trying to get my husband to go with me to try out the little yakitori place on 6th st. in Hillcrest. Their initial high prices(they've since lowered them) really scared us off.

[RonSan]

Kirk:

Try Yakitori Yakyudori on 6th avenue in Hillcrest, very good, very authentic

[Jack]

I was wondering when you were going to get to this place. It doesn't sound too promising though...too bad.

[amanda]

Hi Kirk!
I have a question and you're just the man with the perfect answer. Tyler and I are looking for some really good chinese food. What is your favorite chinese restaurant in San Diego, and you're favorite dishes they serve? Thanks!

[Kirk]

Hi CP - Compared to the Yakitori in LA, this stuff really wasn't that great.

Hi Rachel - Well I think of Yakitori as it's own little category.....but, yeah, there's more than one way to grill a bird.

Hi Dave - I think you're on to something....I've gotten at least a dozen rec's for that restaurant...too bad they aren't open for lunch!

Hi nhbilly - Thanks for the rec's, I've got to make it up that way soon. What was the name of the sushi bar you recommended before?

Hi Lynnea - Well you might want to try K-1, but stay away from all of the mundane stuff....

Hi RonSan - Thanks.....we'll make it up there soon.

Hi Jack - At least it wasn't very expensive.

Hi Amanda - That's a rather complex question - so I sent you an email.

[Kirk]

Hi santos - LOL! Always looking for harmony in the world.

[Joseph E]

Kirk,
Are you still on the SDCHow yahoo group? Folks have been trying to get something together for Ba Ren. Are you coming?

Joseph

[Kirk]

Hi JosephE - I thought you all had dinner this past Thurs? Guess I'm missing something. I'm really booked for the next month, but let's see what's going on.....

[Joseph E]

It didn't work out; we are talking about this Thurs or next Wed. Hope to see you there.

[Curtis]

I was one of Yakatori K1's first customers...so I admit...I am biased, but I am also a huge food snob. I think that Yakitori K-1 is a pretty good place to eat, especially for the price and selection. All the servings are made fresh--Yakitori K-1 only uses FREE RANGE CHICKEN. They don't cut corners by using cheap ingredients. I would recommend that anyone give it a try for themselves. Let's remember folks...this isn't Japan.

[Kirk]

Hi Curtis - Unfortunately, I'm not a food snob...I just like well flavored food. I think the real short coming at K-1 is the tare and cooking technique. I don't think anyone is expecting a Yakitori-Ya.