Honetsukidori, or “chicken with bone,” is a specialty of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. This dish features bone-in grilled chicken seasoned simply with soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel all the way to Kagawa to enjoy it—there’s a branch of the famous restaurant Ikkaku (一鶴) conveniently located near Yokohama Station.
Ikkaku is renowned for its Honetsukidori and tends to be fully booked during dinner hours. If you’re planning to visit during peak times, it’s highly recommended to make a reservation in advance.
Honetsukidori (骨付鳥) is undoubtedly the star of the menu, but they also offer a variety of side dishes and drinks. To Go is available for Honetsukidori, so you can enjoy it at home as well.
I opted for a squeezed grapefruits sour—a refreshing drink where you squeeze the grapefruit yourself before mixing it into the sour. This interactive touch was both fun and delicious, with the fresh grapefruit adding a burst of flavor.
The Caesar chicken salad was a straightforward Caesar salad with a hint of chicken. While the portion of chicken was modest, the flavors were satisfying.
When it comes to Honetsukidori, Ikkaku offers two types: Baby Bird (ひな鳥) and Senior Bird (親鳥).
Baby Bird: This was incredibly juicy, with tender meat and just the right amount of fat. Despite its richness, it wasn’t overly greasy, making it easy to devour.
Senior Bird: A bit chewier compared to the Baby Bird, the Senior Bird still packed bold flavors of salt and pepper. It paired wonderfully with the grapefruit sour.
The Chicken ham was tender and complemented nicely by a basil sauce. While the tomatoes on top were a surprising addition, they didn’t detract from the overall dish.
Finally, we ended our meal with Chicken rice. This mild-flavored dish was a perfect contrast to the strong seasoning of the Honetsukidori, and it came with a light soup.
For dessert, we tried Shoyumame ice cream. Shoyumame, a local specialty of Kagawa, consists of roasted beans marinated in soy sauce and sugar. The ice cream had a subtle salty-sweet flavor, offering a unique yet approachable taste.
If you’re craving authentic Honetsukidori and other delicious dishes, Ikkaku Yokohama is a must-visit spot. Whether you dine in or take away, you’ll get a true taste of Kagawa right in Yokohama!
About
Name Ikkaku Yokohama Nishiguchiten (一鶴 横浜西口店)
Open Dinner
Reservation Available
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URL Website
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Comments
That chicken thigh looks so juicy and delicious! I also like that they serve the lemon for you to squeeze yourself:)
I recommend Honetsuki-dori when you have chance to go Takamatsu. Maybe at Takamatsu, you can eat it with more casual price and atmosphere.