Bird bird yakitori

I really should apologise for not posting in the last few weeks. But I'm not going to. The Chinese government should be the one saying sorry. Those dicksters bloody hell banned Blogspot recently, making it damn troublesome for me to access my blog, not to mention post on it. So my legions of fans here in Beijing, I'm afraid you won't be able to check out The Forbidden Stomach for some time. Let's hope those dicksters lift the ban soon.

Enough complaining. Let's talk about something happy - Tori Tei, a Japanese yakitori restaurant. Its Chinese name is 鸟亭, which literally means Bird Pavilion. I know it may be childish, but somehow, I find it a really funny name. No self-respecting restaurant in Singapore would be caught dead with "bird" as its name. I think it has something to do with the fact that the Hokkien phrase for "penis" sounds just like the Hokkien word for "bird". So back home, it is quite common for parents, especially those from my parents' generation, to refer to a young boy's missile as "bird bird" (yes, in English!).


Not that I would ever try to tell the Tori Tei boss to change the name. Given how good the business is, I doubt he would really care if his restaurant reminds a cock Singaporean of penis. Check out the packed house.


I have been to Tori Tei three times and this tiny hut was always packed - usually with lots of Japanese men. That, as always, is the surest sign that this joint meets the high standards of the Japanese. You don't see a lot of Japanese at Yoshinoya, do you?

With the BBQ-ing done just next to the tables, smoke truly does get in your eyes if you are seated rather near the pit. But the smoke, the cosiness of the eatery, the loud chattering by the Japanese execs make the restaurant special. In the company of fellow white-collared workers knocking back whiskey and beer, it is the perfect place to unwind after a long day in the office.


The best way to enjoy Tori Tei, in my opinion, is to order a whole variety of yakitori in one go, some bottles of Asahi or Kirin (only 15 yuan per bottle!) and just sit back and enjoy the evening. I would highly recommend the chicken wings (my favouritest), sliced pork belly, chicken balls (tsukune), chicken liver and also the mackerel - superbly well done with a crispy skin and tender meat. But to be honest, everything is good. If you are adventurous, go for the chicken cartilage (nankotsu) too.


I have never ordered any of the noodles or rice, but if you are an old grandmother who must have your carbo, the gyoza is lovely. And rest assured that the ramen is good stuff too. Tori Tei belongs to the same boss as Original Come House (remember??), and you can have your choice of Miso Ramen etc. Isn't this place wonderful?


Budget about 70 yuan per person, including alcohol. For top-notch yakitori, it is a steal. It is not easy to find the place so here's the number 10-6461-4513 to call for directions. Be sure to make a reservation too. But if you really can't get a seat, go to the adjacent Original Come House and order the yakitori from there. The name is just as funny, but it won't be half as fun.