Sandaime Torimero Ginza: Best Value Yakitori in Tokyo 2026

A Must-Try Restaurant in Tokyo's Ginza

Sandai-me Torimero: Your Go-To for Budget-Friendly Yakitori

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Words & Photos ©Haibubu

A trip to Japan just isn't complete without experiencing yakitori, right?

But here's the thing: many yakitori spots in central Tokyo

can often come with a surprisingly hefty price tag per skewer.

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a fantastic **value-for-money yakitori** spot where you can indulge to your heart's content without a single worry about the bill!

It's called **Sandai-me Torimero**!

Your Ultimate Guide to Budget-Friendly Dining in Tokyo's Ginza

Sandai-me Torimero Shimbashi Ginza-guchi Guard-shita Branch

Mon-Thu Operating Hours: 3:00 PM ~ 3:00 AM (next day) Fri Operating Hours: 3:00 PM ~ 5:00 AM (next day) Weekend Operating Hours: 12:00 PM ~ 3:00 AM (next day) Closed: None Location: Across from Shimbashi Station Exit 5 Otooshi (Seating Charge): ~$2

**Sandai-me Torimero** is a well-known national

chain of affordable yakitori restaurants across Japan.

The specific branch I visited is conveniently located right **across from Shimbashi Station's Exit 5**, tucked away

**within the Guard-shita area**.

(For those unfamiliar, 'Guard-shita' refers to the unique spaces found under railway tracks or elevated roads – a truly local experience!)

I stumbled upon this gem while searching for a yakitori izakaya,

and it was truly a happy accident that led me inside!

The irresistible sign right at the entrance, proudly proclaiming **'Draft Beer for just ~$1'**,

was enough to stop me in my tracks – I simply couldn't walk past it!

Sandai-me Torimero: Ambiance & Menu Highlights

Unlike the Guard-shita areas you might find in Yurakucho,

this particular Guard-shita, nestled at the very edge of Ginza,

had surprisingly little foot traffic and was almost entirely devoid of tourists.

However, stepping inside, I was met with a stark contrast:

the place was absolutely packed, with barely an empty seat in sight,

and it was clear this was a local favorite, with not a single tourist in sight!

As a **budget-friendly izakaya**, it naturally attracted

a lively, younger crowd,

and the whole place buzzed with a wonderfully boisterous atmosphere.

During my visit, only a window seat was available,

which is where I was happily seated.

Ordering is a breeze thanks to their convenient tablets.

They even support Korean, and with clear photos for every dish on the menu,

you'll have no trouble navigating your order, regardless of your language!

Beyond the digital tablets, they also offer traditional paper menus.

I actually found the paper menu a bit easier to scan at a glance.

Below, I've put together a quick rundown of the menu categories and

their incredible price points.

📌Menu Categories & Price Guide

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Highballs from ~$2

Draft Beer from ~$1

Karaage from ~$2

Tsumami ~$2

Meal Dishes from ~$2

Kushikatsu from ~$0

Chicken Skewers from ~$0

2-Hour All-You-Can-Drink Option ~$11

Please note: All prices listed are pre-tax.

Even though these prices are pre-tax,

they're incredibly affordable at a glance, aren't they?

I was so pleasantly surprised by the incredibly low prices that I

ended up ordering a huge variety of dishes!

My Order & Taste Review

First to arrive at my table was, of course, the refreshing **draft beer**.

It was a decent pour, roughly 330ml, and

It was so refreshing and smooth, it just went down easily.

With this much and a price of ~$1,

I thought it was really great value for money.

By the way, there's an "otōshi" (cover charge concept) of ~$2,

and cabbage is provided as a basic appetizer.

Perhaps because I didn't mention it, they didn't serve it.

I didn't ask for it since I wasn't going to eat it,

but if you want the cabbage and it doesn't appear,

please make sure to ask the staff for it.

(Cabbage refills are also free!)

Since there were many customers, it took

about 10 minutes or more for the yakitori to arrive.

From the top left, we have Chicken Skin Skewer (~$0),

Chicken Thigh and Scallion Skewer (~$2),

and the Yakitori Assortment (~$4).

They looked much more appetizing than I expected.

It was amazing to me that 7 skewers came out for less than ~$6!

The first skewer was a chicken thigh skewer made from a specific

chicken breed called Seiryu Wakadori

(Iwate, Tohoku, Kochi variety). Compared to standard yakitori,

it's relatively more expensive.

But it was definitely delicious with tender meat.

On the other hand, the second chicken was a standard yakitori.

Since it wasn't labeled as domestic, it seemed likely

they used imported chicken.

However, if you order the second chicken with sauce (tare),

there wasn't a big difference in taste.

So, if you want to enjoy a lot of yakitori,

I recommend ordering several standard skewers.

Personally, I'd suggest focusing your order on these

four types: seseri (chicken neck), bonjiri (chicken tail), kawa (skin), and momo (thigh)!

The quality of the yakitori was more satisfying than I expected,

so I decided to order four kinds of kushikatsu as well.

They were two onion skewers, lotus root, and ginger,

and the characteristic was that the batter was thin and clean.

All three types of fried skewers were delicious, but

personally, the onion was truly the best.

The crispy batter combined with the sweet onion made for a

perfect palate cleanser between bites.

Not only the yakitori but also the kushikatsu were

thoroughly delicious overall!

How to Pay After Your Meal

Finally, let me tell you how to pay after your meal.

If you look at your table, you'll see a card

with a number on it.

Just take this to the counter and

pay!

Overall Review: Sandaime Torimero

Though I stumbled upon this restaurant by chance,

my satisfaction level was as high as any renowned foodie spot.

I was truly satisfied with the surprisingly affordable yakitori prices,

which felt hard to believe for Japan, and the taste that exceeded expectations.

The beer was also inexpensive, so ordering never felt like a burden.

If you're looking to enjoy a casual drink with some reliably delicious yakitori and kushikatsu,

or if you're searching for a great value, local izakaya,

I highly recommend you visit this place.

You probably won't regret it!

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