Rotisserie Inn, Minami Azabu

When we were living in South America, one of our favorite takeout meals was roast chicken and potatoes. Always seasoned to perfection and cooked just right, it was a cheap yet healthy option that no burger and fries could hold a candle to. Since moving to Japan, we have searched high and low for the same kind of delicious chicken we loved abroad, from overpriced expat-run restaurants to tiny roadside trucks. While we still haven't found the exact flavor we crave, Rotisserie Inn definitely comes closest and quickly made it onto our list of regular haunts.

Rotisserie Inn marinates its whole young chickens for two days in a special mix of herbs and spices, before roasting them onsite in a real rotisserie oven. The result is incredibly flavorful chicken that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Chickens are available whole (¥2,300) or in half (¥1,200) or quarter (¥800) portions, and each is served with a generous helping of herb and garlic roast potatoes.

The dining area at Rotisserie Inn is tiny—just a few counter seats that work fine for a quick lunch or casual dinner, but not much else. But takeout and delivery options are also available, making this the perfect easy dinner to pick up on your way home from work on those days when you just can’t be asked to cook (come on, we all have them). A couple of things to note are that credit cards are not accepted, and there’s a minimum delivery order of ¥1,400.

The menu also includes various pasta and rice dishes, and sides including chili, fries, soups, salads and desserts. But really, the chicken is where it’s at, and it’s enough to make Rotisserie Inn worth a trip. In addition to the main location in Minami Azabu—which is conveniently situated across from the French embassy and the New Sanno Hotel—there is also a branch near Kita Senju Station.

The Deets

Address: 4-14-1 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03-5447-1488

Open: Tue-Sun, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (last order 8:30 p.m.)