Zakkushi on Carlton

Tsukune

Hand-shaped chicken meatball skewer with a dense, juicy interior that takes on smoke from the charcoal grill — served with tare glaze and a raw egg yolk for dipping

Negima

Chicken thigh and green onion skewer, the workhorse of the grill — thigh pieces stay juicy and the charred onion brings sweetness between every bite

Chicken Skin Skewers

Crispy-rendered skin that blisters and tightens over the coals, finished with tare that caramelizes into a lacquered shell

Karaage

Fried chicken thighs with a light, cragged crust and a gingery marinade — solid rendition, better than average for an izakaya side

Gyoza

Pan-fried dumplings with a well-crisped flat side and a pork-and-cabbage filling — a reliable table opener while you wait for the skewers

Pork Belly Skewer

Thick-cut kakuni-style pork belly on a skewer, rendered down enough to go silky but still holding its structure off the grill

Asparagus Bacon Skewer

Asparagus wrapped in thin-sliced pork, a simple combination that works well over charcoal — a good vegetable-forward option in a meat-heavy menu

Takoyaki

Octopus balls that are fine but unremarkable — not a grill item, and it shows; better spent on another round of skewers

Highball

Japanese whisky highball served tall and properly cold — the default drink order here and priced to encourage multiples