Tabelog ratingYakitori Mako (焼鳥 まこ) serves a single omakase yakitori course built on Kagoshima kuro-satsuma chicken grilled over binchōtan charcoal. Small seasonal dishes come between the skewers, such as a chawanmushi made with chicken broth and liver pâté in a crisp monaka wafer. Rarer cuts like chōchin, the developing egg yolk with its tube, are part of the standard sequence. The restaurant was selected for Tabelog's yakitori WEST Tabelog 100 in 2024 and 2025.
Almost every review comes back to the precise grilling. The dishes named most often are the half-runny quail egg, the juicy tsukune, the crisp-skinned tebasaki wing and Kumamoto red aubergine. The most-praised item of all is an add-on: yaki onigiri topped with raw egg yolk. The chūka soba, noodles in a chicken-soy broth, has its own following. Guests describe a relaxed counter and warm staff, some of whom explained the dishes in English.
Criticism centres on seasoning. Several diners found the skewers too salty, and two or three found some chicken pink or undercooked. Isolated reviews mention a dismissive grill cook and staff eating during service. One regular felt the cooking had slipped since the chef changed.
Between 2024 and 2026, reviewers paid ¥7,700 for the course, rising to ¥8,800 by mid-2026, plus a 10% service charge. Add-ons cost around ¥450 for the yaki onigiri, ¥600 for soboro-don (minced-chicken rice bowl), ¥770 for chūka soba and ¥440 per extra skewer.
- Dinner with drinks typically runs ¥10,000–15,000 a head.
- One pair paid ¥26,070 in total with beer and three sake.
- There is no lunch service.
Japanese and foreign reviewers alike call it unusually good value for the quality. About fifteen courses leave most diners full, though drinks raise the bill.
- Getting there: 3-minute walk (about 280 m) from Yakuin-Odori Station. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the YAKUIN KZ LIFE BLD.
- Booking: needed. Walk-ins are not realistic, so book online weeks ahead or call 050-5593-3812. A card deposit is taken at booking and refunded a few days after you pay in full. Expect a temporary double charge and check your statement.
- Fixed seatings: all guests start together at 18:00, 19:30 or 21:00. If you are running late, tell the restaurant; late arrivals may be served fewer dishes.
- Children: admitted only when the whole restaurant is booked for private use.
- Payment: VISA, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX and Diners are accepted. Electronic money and QR payments are not accepted.
- Seats: 15 in total, with 11 at the counter and a private room for four. The whole restaurant can be reserved.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Parking: none.
- Language: popular with foreign visitors. Some staff explain dishes in English, and a translation app helps with extra orders.
