Daegu yakitori bar for a holiday date: beef tendon soup, Toriaejeu

Toriaejeu Sangin Daegu Branch: a Daegu yakitori spot for a holiday date

Toriaejeu Sangin Daegu Branch (토리아에즈 상인동 대구점) is a yakitori izakaya in Sangin-dong, Daegu. Since it was a holiday, my husband and I went for some good food and a date, which we hadn't had in a while.

I like skewers in general, so I went looking for a proper yakitori place in Daegu and found this one. It has lots of yakitori options plus things that go well alongside, like beef tendon soup and mentaiko, so I came in with high hopes.

Atmosphere and service at Toriaejeu

The first thing I noticed was the cute Japanese-style decor, both outside and inside. The props, the lighting and the overall mood were so well done that it felt like a tiny izakaya in Japan.

It wasn't too dark or too loud, just cozy, so it was nice for chatting with my husband over dinner. If you're looking for a good yakitori place in Sangin-dong, I think it works as a date spot too.

The staff were kind as well. They were easygoing whenever we ordered or needed something, and it felt like they were looking after us so we could enjoy the meal. Each dish also came out one at a time, so we could eat it warm right away.

What we ordered at Toriaejeu

We ordered ginkgo, button mushroom, sujitang (beef tendon soup), mentaiko, negima (chicken and leek), pork neck and tsukune (chicken meatball). Being able to order a bit of many things is the charm of yakitori in Daegu, I think.

After ordering, I looked around, and what a cute little place.

Besides the inner seats, the bar seats are really nice too, and I liked the lively feel.

The cabbage they give you by default! Really tasty.

Lots of things to sprinkle on in different ways.

Ginkgo, mushroom, negima and pork neck skewers: prices and taste

Ginkgo ₩1,700

The ginkgo skewer was ₩1,700, easy to order without a second thought. It had that nutty, slightly bitter flavor of nicely grilled ginkgo. It was good to pick at between other skewers and refreshed my palate.

Button mushroom ₩2,400

The button mushroom skewer was ₩2,400, grilled moist with the aroma and flavor of the mushroom well preserved. Button mushrooms easily dry out if overcooked, but this was juicy and tender through to the middle, which I loved.

Negima ₩2,500

Negima was ₩2,500, and chicken with leek is a pairing that just works. The clean, moist chicken plus the sweetness of grilled leek kept my hand reaching for more. It seems basic, but at a yakitori place you always end up ordering it!

Juicy and tender, so good.

Pork neck ₩2,800

The pork neck skewer was ₩2,800, and you really get the texture and flavor of the meat. It was grilled just right, not dry, and got nuttier the more I chewed. A faint smoky char made it even more satisfying.

Mentaiko ₩4,900

Mentaiko was ₩4,900. Salty with a punch of umami, it was nice to have in small bites alongside. If you like the distinct taste of pollock roe, you'll be happy with it. Eating it between skewers had its own charm, and I really enjoyed yakitori in Daegu.

The tsukune was a standout at Toriaejeu

Personally, one of the things I enjoyed most at Toriaejeu Sangin Daegu Branch was the tsukune. The texture was soft yet moist, and each bite was rich in umami.

Its texture is different from the other skewers, so if you order several things, do try the tsukune too. Sharing one of each with my husband, I really felt the appeal of yakitori in Daegu.

Sujitang ₩7,000, a good soup to order between skewers

The sujitang (beef tendon soup) was ₩7,000 and the most filling thing we ordered that day. Chewy, tender tendon in a hot broth went really well with the skewers.

A spoonful of warm broth on a holiday evening settled my stomach. Rather than eating only yakitori, I'd recommend ordering the sujitang partway through.

Piping hot, warming you all the way through.

Finishing with a marshmallow skewer and nurungji onigiri

We tried the marshmallow skewer too. Lightly toasted, golden outside and melty-soft inside, it worked like a sweet dessert. After the salty yakitori, the sweet-and-salty combo was a perfect finish.

It's hot, so watch your mouth!

We also ordered the nurungji onigiri (scorched-rice rice ball), and I loved the nutty scorched-rice flavor and crispy bite. It filled in the heartiness that skewers alone might leave a bit lacking, so it felt like a good side choice. The portion was just right to share with my husband, and it goes well with yakitori in Daegu.

Would we go back to Toriaejeu Sangin Daegu Branch?

Overall, the menu is varied, so picking what suits you was fun, and I enjoyed tasting the warm grilled skewers one by one. The cute, Japanese-feeling interior and the kind staff kept me in a good mood the whole meal. I'd come back a thousand percent!