On 1 October, the UK will welcome the first-ever automatic rotary yakitori machine at Yari Club, a new 20-cover restaurant on St Martin's Lane in Central London. This exciting launch will mark the first time a rotary yakitori machine has been seen outside Asia.
Jimmy Tjhie, Founder of Methuselah Limited, who has exclusive rights to the technology in the UK and Europe, says, “Our aim with Yari Club is to use customer-visible robotics to add a fun and futuristic dynamic to the Central London QSR scene. The auto-rotating yakitori grill machine will be placed at the front of our unit so customers can follow their orders and passers-by can be entertained. We hope to see the same enthusiasm as in Asia, where the robots and chefs successfully work side by side."
Yakitori translates to "grilled chicken" from the Japanese words yaki (grill) and tori (chicken). These shops are usually small shops that specialise in yakitori and offer take-out services with limited seating.
The menu will boast a selection of eight traditional chicken yakitori dishes, available as single orders or as a few served in a rice box. Among the yakitori available are Tsukune (meatball, savoury, sweet glaze), Kawa (skin, juicy, rich taste), Mune (breast, lean, mild flavour), Momo (thigh, tender, flavourful meat), Toriniku (thigh and breast, tender, versatile, juicy), Classic Negima (thigh, spring onion, juicy, savoury) Miso Mune (breast, miso-marinated, savoury) and Teba (wings, crispy, flavourful skin). There is also a Prawn Теmpura skewer and a selection of sides. The skewers are available as single units or multiples in a rice box as a complete meal.
“While adding a fun element to the consumer experience, the machine also benefits from low power consumption, takes up a small space, and has a big capacity for production. It is easy to operate and clean and has variable speeds for different types of foods,” adds Tjhie.
Prices start from £2.50 per skewer, three for £6.90 or five for £11.90. Rice Boxes are also available, priced at £11.90 or £16.80 for three or five skewers. Drinks will include a selection of Asian bottled beers, hard seltzers, and JINRO soju. Soft drinks include Ramune and Suntory lemon soda.