Yakitori Yurippi Restaurant Crows Nest
By Lisa Nguyen | Published 29 October 2022
Does this spot match the hype?
TL; DR | Summary
The Lower North Shore is buzzing with Japanese Yakitori restaurants, but there's one that always stands out. Meet Yakitori Yurippi! One of Sydney's most famous Yakitori restaurants and the OG. With a simple yet effective menu, you'll be eating skewers until your pants burst. Nevertheless, you'll be back for more.
Yakitori Yurippi Review
Crows Nest is known for the Yakitori restaurants lining the main streets, but how can you know which one is the best? Let me recommend Yakitori Yurippi! Bringing you the heart of Japanese cuisine in the form of tasty grilled skewers.
In Japanese, Yakitori means "grilled chicken" and is an abbreviated term for chicken skewers. They are typically served in most Japanese Izakaya (or "little cafe") and restaurants, along with other dishes. Learn all about Yakitori in our blog post: What Is Yakitori? A Beginner's Guide To Japanese Skewers.
At Yurippi, most items on the menu are small, so it's designed for you to order many dishes to share amongst your table. Also note that there is generally a minimum order of 2 skewers per serving.
The skewers at Yurippi are grilled over charcoal, giving it a unique smoky flavour. The marinade is sweet and savoury, further enhanced by the charring of the grill.
Dining and eating these skewers is undoubtedly an enjoyable experience.
Is Yakitori Yurippi expensive?
Let's be honest. Yakitori is not a cheap experience. Yurippi charges approximately $3.20 to $4.50 per skewer, with a minimum of 2 skewers per item.
However, the quality of the skewers definitely makes up for it, and I believe it's worth every dollar.
Friendly Service & Delicious Japanese Food
The service here is what you would expect from a Japanese-owned eatery; humble and friendly. The staff greet you with excitement as you enter the restaurant and are attentive throughout your meal.
The Yakitori Yurippi menu is simple, with all the usual items you expect from a Japanese Izakaya such as chicken skin, breast, thigh, gizzards and hearts.
If you can't quite stomach innards, there's also pork, beef, and vegetable options. Other traditional Japanese dishes on the menu include karaage (fried chicken), gyoza, and desserts such as pudding and matcha tart for dessert.
If I had to describe the meat in two words it would be: pure perfection. It's what I imagine you would be served in Japan.
The skewered meat is grilled with a nice char around the edges. The exterior is slightly crisp and pairs well with it's sauce. There are also pure cuts of meat that are simply succulent and juicy. The tenderness is of the highest calibre.
I doubt there is a bad dish on the menu so don't be shy about trying as much as you can fit in your belly and your wallet. Whether you fancy chicken, pork, beef, fish, or mushroom, there's an option for every diner.
Can't wait to try more? Order takeaway!
Wagyu Beef
What more can you want from a beef skewer? The wagyu is beautifully marinated and grilled until it's nice and tender. The marinade is slightly sweet and pairs well with the smokiness from the grill.
These bite-size pieces are heaven but prepare to pay the price for this quality dish.
Ox Tongue
Ox Tongue can often be tough and chewy, but the Yakitori skewer version is anything but. Marinated in a soy-based sauce, this savoury piece of ox is tender, smoky, and tasty.
Pork Belly & Pork Jowl
The pork belly and jowl were marinated in Yurippi's secret sauce, giving it a hit of umami flavour. The pork belly was slightly sweeter in taste due to the marinade used, whilst the pork jowl was more savoury.
Both were highly tender and nicely cooked, with a slight crispiness on the exterior. It's hard to pick the winner of the two, but the pork jowl would get the crown.
Chicken Thigh and Shallot
The chicken thigh is one of the more popular menu items, and for a good reason. For starters, the meat is incredibly juicy and flavourful. The Yakitori sauce isn't too heavy, allowing the chicken's natural flavour to shine. The shallot used as a garnish gives it a slight sweetness and crunch. It's a great all-rounder dish.
Chicken Meatball with 63-degree egg
The chicken meatballs are extraordinarily juicy and packed full of flavour. They're slightly sweet due to the Yakitori sauce, and the addition of the 63-degree egg elevates it to the next level. The yolk is oozy and creamy, which pairs perfectly with the chicken meatballs. You must order this dish when you visit!
Gyoza
The gyoza here are your standard pan-fried pork dumplings. They're nothing out of the ordinary but they are still delicious. There's a good chunk of beautiful crispy skin which adds a nice bit of texture.
Unagi Eel
If you're a fan of unagi (or eel), the Yakitori skewer version does not disappoint. The eel is exceptionally tender, full of flavour, and heavily marinated in a soy-based sauce.
It's slightly sweet with a hint of savouriness and as always, flavourful with smoke.
Octopus Karaage
Chicken karaage is a staple at most Japanese restaurants, so to see it using octopus is a nice twist to a classic.
The batter is light and crispy, and the mayonnaise-based dipping sauce provides some creaminess.
The octopus is cooked well and is slightly bouncy without being overly chewy. These are definitely worth a try if you're a fan of karaage.
Rice Balls
These aren't just any regular grilled rice balls. They're brushed with Yurippi's secret sauce. It's a great dish if you're looking for something lighter.
The rice is cooked well with a slight crunch and the furikake gives a nice umami and spice. However, it didn't stand out, so I would give this a miss the next time I visit.
And that's pretty much almost the whole menu! As you can see, everything was worth trying. Whether you're looking for something light or want to indulge in a delicious Japanese feast.
On a related note, I gave chicken heart, skin and gizzard a shot, but since I can't wrap my head around the texture of organs and other body parts, it isn't for me. However, give it an attempt if you're feeling adventurous!
Final Words
A common theme in my food description is the tenderness, the hint of the marinade, and the grill's smokiness. I love how Yurippi doubles down on what they do best, as evident across all their dishes.
Yakitori Yurippi is an excellent place for casual Japanese dining with friends. It's also perfect for after-work drinks or even a simple feed. The skewers are marinated well and super tasty, making it hard to stop at just a few. This is the place to visit to enjoy some Yakitori action on demand!
RECOMMENDED
- Wagyu Skewers
- Pork Belly
- Pork Jowl
- Chicken Thigh & Shallot
- Chicken Meatball with 63 degree egg
- Unagi Eel
- Gyoza
Where To Find Yakitori Yurippi Crows Nest
Address
Hours
- Monday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
- Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
- Thursday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
- Friday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM
- Saturday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM
- Sunday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Website
http://www.yurippi.com.au/
Visit their website to make a Yakitori Yurippi booking!
Phone
+61 402 092 680
https://www.instagram.com/yakitori.yurippi/
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