Yakitori Near Me at Cuppage Plaza: Toriei Intimate French Poulet Counter

Toriei is situated on the fourth level of Cuppage Plaza at 5 Koek Road, unit #04-01, sharing culinary lineage with the respected Skewers izakaya team. Helmed by veteran culinary director and pitmaster Chef Roy Koh, Toriei redefines high-end poultry dining in central Singapore by stripping away superfluous distractions and focusing purely on the craft of yakitori omakase. The dining room accommodates just ten guests along a pristine light-timber counter, placing each visitor mere inches from the custom-built binchotan hearth where every course is timed, turned, and seasoned by hand.

An omakase dinner at Toriei unfolds as an orchestrated culinary journey spanning approximately eighteen courses. Guests observe the chef's knife work, skewer threading technique, and flame manipulation throughout the two-hour experience. The subtle aroma of Kishu white charcoal fills the quiet room, creating a meditative setting where each skewer is served hot onto individual handmade ceramics the instant it leaves the glowing embers.

The intimacy of the counter format encourages quiet appreciation of the grilling technique. Chef Roy Koh monitors the embers constantly, positioning each skewer along varying temperature zones of the narrow charcoal pit so skin renders thoroughly without drying out the succulent muscle beneath. Every guest receives personalized hospitality, with courses paced deliberately to match dining speed.

The beverage program is intentionally curated to accompany the subtleties of shio-seasoned French Poulet. Chilled carafes of unpasteurized namazake, crisp dry Junmai sake from Niigata Prefecture, and delicate Japanese craft beers are poured into artisanal glassware, cleansing the palate between savory skewer courses.

The signature evening tasting menu at Toriei is priced at S$150 per person, representing exceptional value for an eighteen-course poultry omakase in central Orchard. The sequence commences with delicate appetizers such as a silky chawanmushi steamed with double-boiled chicken bone broth, topped with tender breast shreds and aromatic mitsuba leaf. From there, the parade of skewers begins with familiar cuts before venturing into prized anatomical delicacies rarely seen in casual dining establishments.

Early skewers showcase the breast meat, mune, and tenderloin, sasami, grilled with millimeter precision so the core remains gently warm and incredibly tender. Next arrives the seseri chicken neck skewer, boasting an elastic, springy bite and deep savory character, followed by the soriresu oyster cut found nestled near the chicken thigh socket. The kitchen also highlights the bonjiri chicken tail, rendered carefully so the outer skin crackles while the rich, fatty interior dissolves luxuriously on the tongue.

Skewers of organ meats are handled with exceptional delicacy. The chicken heart, hatsu, is trimmed and grilled medium-rare to maintain a bouncy, juicy texture, while the chicken liver is seared briefly over high heat, yielding a silky, pate-like core without any bitter metallic aftertaste. A skewer of chicken skin, kawa, is tightly pleated on the bamboo stick, roasted until amber and crisp as a glass chip.

Interspersed between poultry skewers are seasonal vegetable offerings such as sweet Japanese fruit tomatoes, charred shishito peppers, and fragrant maitake mushrooms brushed with chicken oil. The savory crescendo culminates in a bowl of chicken paitan ramen or comforting zosui rice porridge simmered in concentrated golden chicken collagen broth. To conclude the evening, the pastry team presents house-made hojicha ice cream or yuzu sorbet that leaves the palate revitalized and light.

Following your omakase dinner at Toriei, Cuppage Plaza offers an immediate immersion into late-night Japanese pub culture. The building's corridors house authentic sake cellars, karaoke lounges, and cozy ramen counters catering to night owls. Stepping through the front doors of Cuppage Plaza reveals the pedestrian-friendly stretch of Somerset, where illuminated shop windows and breezy walkways invite a relaxing evening stroll.

A short two-minute walk down Koek Road connects to the historic shophouses of Emerald Hill Road. Here, century-old Chinese baroque townhouses with pastel shutters, intricate tilework, and sheltered five-foot ways contrast against the modern glass facades of Orchard Road. Several low-key cocktail bars occupy these heritage buildings, offering serene patio tables under the canopy of mature tropical trees for an unhurried post-dinner drink.

Walking westward along Orchard Road leads past the grand courtyards of Ngee Ann City and Paragon. Even after retail hours, the wide sidewalks remain well-lit and vibrant with late-evening strollers, street buskers, and cooling tropical breezes, providing an ideal walking route to cap off a refined culinary evening in the city.

Beyond Emerald Hill, strolling toward the Somerset skate park and the open-air courtyards of 313@Somerset reveals vibrant evening energy. You can pause by outdoor benches under the tropical palms to enjoy the night breeze or watch street musicians performing along the pedestrian mall. For visitors who enjoy craft beer, several local taprooms along Killiney Road offer fresh pints on quiet terraces within five minutes of Cuppage Plaza.

Toriei is located at 5 Koek Road, #04-01 Cuppage Plaza, Singapore 228796. The restaurant operates dinner services from Tuesday to Sunday, typically offering two staggered counter seatings at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. The establishment is closed on Mondays. Because the dining room seats only ten guests per session, advance reservations via telephone or authorized online booking links are strictly required.

Please inform the team of any dietary preferences or poultry restrictions at the time of booking, as the omakase menu relies on whole-bird butchery. Guests are encouraged to arrive five to ten minutes prior to their seating time so all diners commence the eighteen-course sequence in synchronization. Smart casual attire is recommended, and the restaurant accepts all major credit cards and local electronic payments.