Fuku lies on the quiet outer fringes of the shopping district below Yoyogi Uehara station. In many ways it's the ultimate neighbourhood yakitoriya — so good that if you live in the area there's little incentive to go anywhere else, but not so utterly brilliant that it's really worth crossing town for.
There is a lot to like about Fuku. First of all, it looks sharp, with a sleek facade and decor that looks nothing like a typical yakitori joint
Second, they have Anchor Steam Beer...
And, most important of all, fine yakitori — especially the neginiku (their term for negima)...
... and the tsukune.
Unlike so many upwardly aspiring yakitori joints these days, Fuku does not use free-range 'name-brand' jidori chicken. No doubt, that's because they want to keep prices down. But even a standard-issue broiler is going to taste good when cooked with care over premium Bincho charcoal.
Sensibly (given the growing number of expats living in the area), there is a bilingual menu. This could be the prime reason why Fuku has attained a certain cult status in some foodie circles.
Another reason could be the eclectic/non-traditional items on it — such as sticks of bacon interspersed with olives (this was on the Japanese-only list of 'daily specials')..
Or maybe it's because there is plenty more on the menu than just the usual skewers.
Such as shallots with a miso dip; or a very tasty wagyu-suji nikomi — wagyu beef simmered down in rich, savoury Hatcho miso, which went down very well with a couple of charcoal grilled yaki-onigiri rice 'balls' (no photos). Very satisfying.
Fuku is about 3-4 minutes walk from Yoyogi-Uehara Station, or 6-7 minutes from Yoyogi-Hachiman Station.
The address etc. is: 3-23-4 Uehara, Shibuya-ku; 03/5420-3288.
It's definitely worth phoning ahead to reserve your place at the counter.
Here's a map link...
