Savor Crispy Chicken Skewers at “Kawayaki Yakitori Samba” in Yakuin, Fukuoka

When it comes to famous spots in Fukuoka for “guruguru” crispy chicken skin skewers, the two names that always come up are “Kawaya” and “Torikawa Suikyo.”

But I recently discovered a place that can rival both—an incredible spot called Kawayaki Yakitori Samba.

No surprise they serve crispy chicken skin here—the owner trained for 10 years at Kawaya before going independent. The restaurant has been open for just over a year, and I can’t believe I didn’t know about it sooner!

From the outstanding quality of the chicken skin and shigi-yaki to the warm atmosphere created by the staff, this place is bound to grow even more popular.

“Kawayaki Yakitori Samba” in Yakuin, Fukuoka: A Yakitori Spot That Doesn’t Look Like One

Kawayaki Yakitori Samba is located in Yakuin, an area packed with great eateries. It’s just off Jonan-dori and about a 5-minute walk from Yakuin-Odori Station.

The exterior and the name don’t scream “yakitori,” and I love that. It feels like a Japan–Brazil fusion!

The interior looks more like a café than a yakitori joint—unless you notice the menu. Even families with young children were dining there. (In Fukuoka, it’s not uncommon for locals to bring the whole family to a yakitori place.)

The vibe is lively but not overly noisy like at Kawaya or Suikyo.

And there it is—a glorious stack of slowly prepped chicken skin. A familiar sight at crispy chicken skin specialists.

The menu is simple and cheap! As expected, the highlight is the chicken skin, followed by their other specialty: sasami (chicken tenderloin) shigi-yaki.

Drink options are limited, but very affordable. You can’t go wrong with places like this.

Fresh Cabbage, Crispy Chicken Skin, and Savory Shigi-yaki!

In Fukuoka yakitori culture, endless fresh cabbage is the norm. What’s unique here is that each person gets their own plate.
*Unlimited refills included!

Let’s start with a toast!

Normally you’d go for 10 skewers per person, but we took it easy this time—just 6 for two. Perfectly grilled, crispy, flavorful, and juicy inside with just the right amount of salt—not too strong, not too weak. So good!!

Next up: the shigi-yaki. Tender, slightly rare chicken breast paired with wasabi soy sauce—an insanely good combo.

Between skewers, the chef suggested adding ground sesame to the cabbage—brilliant! The nutty aroma paired with the fresh crunch makes it irresistibly good.

Asked about the name of the shop, the owner said, “Samba just sounds fun!” Love that carefree vibe—it made me like the place even more.

From Classic Pork Belly to Unique Skewers and Rich Chicken Soup Finale—Delicious and Affordable!

The pork belly skewer, a Fukuoka yakitori classic—an absolute must.

Next, we tried some rare options!

Nodonan (firm cartilage from the throat). Crunchy and perfect with beer.

Fukuro (uterus). Less crunchy than expected with a liver-like, rich offal flavor. Very unique.

Darm (pork intestine). Chewy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside—really interesting texture.

Chicken soup rice—a soupy version of rice porridge with deep chicken broth flavor. Even after all the skewers, it goes down smooth. Would probably make a fantastic ramen too.

Ending with a bowl of chicken soup is a tradition from the Kawaya and Suikyo lineage. Even though we doubled up on soup, it’s so light yet rich, we could drink it forever. No regrets!

Three drinks each and all that yakitori—for under 5,000 yen total for two people? That’s rare these days. And this isn’t some cheap chain izakaya—this is a top-tier yakitori spot in Fukuoka.

Seriously, with this level of flavor, atmosphere, and value, it made me feel truly grateful to live in Fukuoka.

Closing Thoughts

With amazing yakitori, great vibes, and unbeatable value, it’s only a matter of time before Kawayaki Yakitori Samba becomes as hard to book as Kawaya.

If you’re in Fukuoka, now’s the time to check it out. Highly recommended!