Cheongju yakitori bar with charcoal skewers and sherbet: Sutori

Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch: location and exterior

Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch, a yakitori spot in Bongmyeong-dong, Cheongju, is in the row of shops in front of Building 105 of the Bongmyeong-dong I-Park Apartments.

I arrived at Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch in Bongmyeong-dong, Cheongju. Its yellow sign really stands out, so it was easy to find even on a first visit. There is also a terrace, which looked handy for stepping outside to take a call and such.

The many menu items are listed out front, so it was nice to look them over before going in.

An open kitchen and bar seating inside

Inside was a cozy space with the feel of a Japanese izakaya. With tables for two and four, there was seating for everything from drinking alone to a date or drinks with friends. What especially impressed me was watching skewers being grilled in the open kitchen—on the left in the photo. I could not photograph it because there were guests there, but the staff were really busy at work. Seeing the skewers turn golden over charcoal up close built anticipation even before the food arrived. The sight of charcoal aroma gently soaking into the grilled skewers was part of the fun too, and felt like Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeomg Branch's own charm.

Bar stools were also set up toward the front, creating a space where you could relax by yourself while looking outside.

The yakitori order and table setting

Here is the menu at Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch in Bongmyeong-dong, Cheongju. They offer such a wide variety of dishes. It was a great selection for ordering several things to share. This time, I ordered takoyaki (octopus balls), a chicken thigh skewer, tenderloin skewer, signature chicken tail skewer, chicken shoulder skewer, and matcha yogurt sherbet.

Every table was nicely set.

The cabbage was really tasty.

I polished off the complimentary snacks in no time too.

After a short wait, they brought the dishes out one at a time and explained how to eat them too.

Takoyaki and tenderloin skewer

First, takoyaki is a must-have at a Japanese-style izakaya, right? The round little bites, sauce, and katsuobushi (bonito flakes) looked appetizing just sitting there together. They were great alongside the skewers.

This is the tenderloin skewer. The portion was quite substantial. Its mild flavor and tender texture made it a nice, clean-tasting choice among the richer skewers.

The direct-fire aroma was so good.

The texture of chicken shoulder and thigh skewers

The chicken shoulder skewer was introduced as a cut with a lovely balance of springy meat and juices, and it gave me another texture to enjoy.

I tried the chicken thigh skewer looking forward to the tender thigh meat and charcoal aroma. True to this yakitori classic, its mild yet moist flavor was appealing.

The thigh meat portion was quite large too, so it really was generous.

And this was the signature chicken tail skewer I had been looking forward to most. Its chewy texture and nutty richness made it a menu item that charcoal-skewer fans would want to try.

Finishing with matcha yogurt sherbet

I finished with matcha yogurt sherbet. Having this cool, refreshing dessert after the skewers made my mouth feel nicely cleansed. Its sweetness paired with matcha's subtle signature flavor, making it a great after-meal dessert. I loved that Sutori Cheongju Bongmyeong Branch lets you watch skewers grilling in the open kitchen while enjoying a wide range of yakitori and dishes to go with drinks. If you are looking for great grilled skewers or an izakaya in Bongmyeong-dong, Cheongju, this is the kind of place that naturally earns a thumbs-up.