TORIKI BURGER, Kyoto: Chicken sandwich shop by Japan’s top yakitori chain

Japan’s top yakitori chain ‘Torikizoku (鳥貴族)’ opened the first Kyoto location of its chicken sandwich chain ‘TORIKI BURGER (鳥貴バーガー)’ near Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (伏見稲荷大社). Here’s what it looks like.

Torikizoku (鳥貴族), a.k.a. Toriki, is everywhere. It’s almost a part of Japan’s urban landscape. There’s no need for an explanation of what they serve: chicken. It seems like it was a matter of time until they met a chicken sandwich, not that they declared war on America. It’s the opposite: Torikizoku’s chicken sandwich specialty chain ‘TORIKI BURGER (鳥貴バーガー)’ is ever so familiar to chicken sandwich-eating citizens of the world. It’s like KFC, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A altogether have figured out the ultimate formula of how to entertain Asian taste buds. I see TORIKI BURGER’s future in Hawaii. But as of 2023, in the Kinki region, this Kyoto location ‘TORIKI BURGER – Fushimi Inari Oicy Village’ is the only availability.

TORIKI BURGER – Fushimi Inari Oicy Village.

TORIKI BURGER’s lantern with a Shake Shack-ish logo.

Inside Fushimi Inari Oicy Village.

500 meters away from Kyoto’s top tourist site ‘Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (伏見稲荷大社)’ is where a three storied shopping mall ‘Fushimi Inari Oicy Village (伏見稲荷OICYビレッジ)’ is at. The ground floor/food court of the mall is where TORIKI BURGER is located. The food court’s vibe is literally festive: Japanese festival BGM and lanterns successfully create a matsuri (祭: Japanese festival) vibe.

Toriki Burger (トリキバーガー). 600 yen / $4.60.

Toriki Burger is TORIKI BURGER’s specialty. Its Ginger-flavored Japanese karaage-ish drop-dead crispy fried chicken breast was phenomenal. Lemony mayonnaise brought the sandwich to perfection.

Tsukune Cheese Burger (つくねチーズバーガー). 500 yen / $3.80.

Tsukune Cheese Burger was also great. Tsukune (つくね) is a Japanese chicken meatball that is a quintessential item at yakitori restaurants. Tsukune Cheese Burger can be interpreted as ‘Teriyaki chicken burger’.

French fries (国産ポテト). 200 yen / $1.50.

French fries were unexpectedly homespun and good.

The food at TORIKI BURGER was amazing for their prices. Waiters/cashiers demonstrated hotel-level hospitality (without tips of course). It was such a Torikizoku (鳥貴族: the chicken nobles) move. All in all, it was beyond a regular chicken sandwich shop. I’ll be loyal.