Daegu yakitori counter seats and grilled onigiri course: Toriaejeu

Hi, this is Hodu.

Lately the gap between day and night temperatures has really widened, and I can feel fall getting a step closer.

Whenever I run into a crisp, high autumn sky like this, I suddenly miss those small trips that carry Japan's particular mood and atmosphere, you know?

So I went straight to a yakitori spot in Sangin-dong, Daegu called 'Toriaejeu'! The place was filled with the smell of carefully grilled skewers, and I want to walk you through this special day in detail.

Hours 18:00–02:00 / last order 01:00

Finding Toriaejeu in a Sangin-dong alley in Daegu

Instead of a flashy, eye-catching sign, Toriaejeu's exterior quietly lights up a corner of a dim alley. With its calm dark-wood tone and a small, soft-glowing sign, the light alone kind of pulls you in.

It feels like a warm, cozy neighborhood hideout for regulars.

How to check the wait at Toriaejeu with the Tabling app

Toriaejeu is already such a well-known spot that waits often happen during peak hours. Luckily you can check waiting through the Tabling app, so I'd recommend checking before you head over!

On one side there was a short, plain note the owner had written — the sincerity toward guests in those lines quietly warmed my heart and made the space feel even more special. I really liked that.

What the counter seats facing the open kitchen are like

Once you open the door and step in, a warm yellow glow and cozy mood greet you first.

The open kitchen especially lets you watch the skewers being grilled with care right in front of you, so you get both the delicious charcoal smell and the fun of watching the whole process.

The overall mood is so cozy and nice that it's a perfect spot to sit side by side with someone you love on a date, or to quietly share a drink with a good friend.

With the dachi seats and regular tables arranged snugly together, the space is a bit on the small side overall — but honestly, that compactness only deepens the intimate, close-knit feel of a real local Japanese izakaya.

Ordering by QR code and the drinks lineup at Toriaejeu

At Toriaejeu, scanning the QR code on each table pulls up large menu photos, so even first-timers can order without any guesswork.

The drink lineup that pairs with yakitori was also impressively varied — cold draft beer of course, plus all kinds of highballs and sake depending on your taste, making it hard to imagine anything better to sip alongside savory grilled skewers.

Maybe it's just decor, but that egg basket was way too cute

We ordered Jinro, the soul of every Korean drinker, along with the complimentary cabbage and house sauce — and that sauce is seriously a secret weapon.

The first sip hits with that distinct grapefruit sweetness, finishing slightly bitter — not too sweet, more like a pleasant, refreshing feeling.

It was also really convenient that each table had its own self-serve seasoning station. From shichimi to pepper, all sorts of seasonings were neatly arranged so you could season to taste or switch up the flavor however you liked.

The inner table seats looked tempting too, but honestly, the dachi seats definitely win on atmosphere...

Japanese-style doganitang and the first charcoal skewers

The first dish to land on the table was a Japanese-style doganitang (beef knee bone soup) — the moment I took a sip, the rich, deep broth flavor that wrapped around my mouth was genuinely the best. With that warm, thick broth going in even while drinking, it felt like an instant hangover cure.

Next came the main event — all kinds of skewers with that strong charcoal aroma! Grilled directly over open flame on the grate until golden brown, the second the plate hit the table that deep smoky scent grabbed my nose immediately. This is the textbook definition of crispy outside, juicy inside.

Grilled mentaiko at Toriaejeu: nutty rather than salty

Following the skewers, the grilled mentaiko (pollock roe) showed up as another legendary dish of the day. I was surprised by how good the quality of the mentaiko itself was — unlike the usual salty grilled mentaiko you find elsewhere, this one was full of savory flavor with no saltiness at all.

The way the roe popped as I bit into it, along with its distinct texture and flavor, was truly exceptional. Dipped lightly in mayo, there was nothing better as an upscale drinking snack.

Tsukune dipped in raw egg yolk

Next up was tsukune (chicken meatball skewer), and its looks alone were top tier.

The egg yolk that came with it was so fresh — I gently broke it open and dipped the savory, salty tsukune all the way in, and the rich, savory flavor spread through my whole mouth. Pure bliss.

The set-menu course: skewers that keep coming

After that, an endless stream of colorful skewers kept coming as part of the full set course — I really loved how many varieties there were.

From chicken with the texture still alive by cut to every single piece, each one carried deep charcoal aroma, and my mouth stayed happy the whole time.

And of course, a soju shot to go with it. Honestly it was such a delicious, happy time — I think this is going to become my favorite yakitori spot.

Grilled onigiri to finish the Toriaejeu course

And then, the true final act! Since it wouldn't feel complete without some carbs, we wrapped things up cleanly with grilled onigiri (grilled rice ball).

Brushed with soy sauce on the outside and grilled golden on the grate, the outside was crispy like scorched rice while the inside stayed moist and firm — a fully satisfying finish down to the very last bite.

Writing this made me want to eat it all over again — practically tearing up haha.