01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Dipping a freshly grilled, fragrant skewer into the accompanying miso sauce reveals a rich depth that layers neatly over the natural sweetness of each ingredient. Located down a side street in Hatchobori, Kawaume (かわうめ) is a kushiyaki specialist offering not only classic chicken skewers but also a wide variety of vegetable and meat-wrapped rolls. Furnished with counter seating and tables, the dining room has an unpretentious, calm atmosphere suited to everything from an after-work drink to solo dining.
A Skewer Menu Spanning Meat Rolls to Seafood
The core of the menu is an expansive selection of skewers that diners can order individually by the stick. Meat-wrapped vegetable skewers feature prominently, including refreshing shiso wraps with their herbal aroma, juicy asparagus wraps, enoki mushrooms, garlic chives, and cherry tomatoes. Classic yakitori, crisp gizzard, chicken skin, and chicken wings share the lineup with seafood like octopus and surf clam, as well as vegetables such as ginkgo nuts and shiitake mushrooms, making it enjoyable to tailor your own spread.
For those unsure where to start, the omakase courses offer a straightforward entry point, with options like the eight-skewer Course A or the twelve-skewer Course B designed for two diners. Getting a feel for the meal through a set course makes it natural to follow up with individual favorite skewers and additional small plates.
Small Plates Between Skewers and a Toasted Rice Ball Finale
Side dishes provide dependable support, with light options like wakame seaweed in vinegar, sake-steamed clams, and deep-fried tofu serving equally well as palate cleansers or accompaniments to drinks. To close the meal, choosing a toasted rice ball (yaki onigiri) with its crisp, aromatic crust or a gently infused chicken soup brings the skewer experience to a soothing end.
Drinks to Accompany the Evening
The drinks menu includes standard draft and bottled beers, chilled sake such as Urakasumi and Kamotsuru, sweet potato and barley shochu, and wines selected to complement charcoal-grilled food. As the restaurant draws steady patronage during weekday dinner hours, booking ahead ensures peace of mind when planning an unhurried visit.
