Chicken yakitori, a delightful Japanese skewered chicken, pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes that enhance its flavors. Fried rice, with its rich blend of vegetables and soy sauce, offers a savory complement. Steamed white rice provides a fluffy, neutral balance. Pork potstickers and spring rolls add rich flavors and crispy textures, while Asian slaw introduces a tangy crunch. Consider teriyaki tofu for an additional protein option or a ramen egg for a savory bite. Japanese potato salad and tamagoyaki also bring unique flavors to the meal. Discover more excellent sides to make your meal truly special!
Fried Rice
Fried rice serves as a versatile and savory side dish that enhances the flavors of chicken yakitori. Made with cooked rice, vegetables, egg, and soy sauce, this dish is stir-fried to perfection.
Its savory taste and customizable ingredients, like mixed vegetables, make it a perfect complement to grilled dishes. As a staple in many Asian cuisines, fried rice adds a satisfying, hearty component to any meal.
Steamed White Rice
While fried rice offers a flavorful and hearty side, steamed white rice provides a more traditional and neutral accompaniment to chicken yakitori.
This classic Japanese rice side balances the savory, slightly sweet profile of the grilled chicken. Its fluffy texture soaks up the delicious tare sauce, enhancing the overall meal experience.
Simple yet satisfying, steamed white rice is a staple in Japanese cuisine.
Pork Potstickers
Pork potstickers, with their savory filling and crispy exterior, make an excellent accompaniment to chicken yakitori, enhancing the meal with their rich flavors and varied textures.
These dumplings, traditionally served with a soy-based dipping sauce or spicy chili oil, offer a delightful contrast to the tender yakitori.
As a versatile side dish, pork potstickers add both variety and texture to any meal.
Spring Rolls
Spring rolls, with their delicate wrappers and flavorful fillings, serve as a delightful complement to chicken yakitori. This popular Asian appetizer, often filled with fresh vegetables or shrimp, provides an invigorating contrast to the savory skewers.
Dipping them in peanut sauce enhances their taste, creating a balanced and enjoyable meal. Customizable and versatile, spring rolls add a burst of flavor to any plate.
Asian Slaw
Asian slaw, with its vibrant colors and crisp textures, is an ideal accompaniment to chicken yakitori, enhancing the meal with its tangy and rejuvenating flavors.
This salad typically combines shredded cabbage, carrots, and other fresh vegetables, all tossed in a zesty sauce. Topped with sesame seeds and green onions, it adds a revitalizing crunch and a pop of color, perfectly balancing the savory skewers.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad, with its revitalizing and light characteristics, serves as an excellent complement to the bold flavors of chicken yakitori. Made with thinly sliced cucumbers and seasoned with rice wine vinegar, salt, and pepper, it offers a rejuvenating balance to the richness of the grilled chicken.
Quick to prepare, this salad can be enhanced with sesame seeds or herbs for added depth.
Teriyaki Glazed Mushrooms
Teriyaki Glazed Mushrooms offer a savory, umami-rich side dish that pairs exceptionally well with the smoky flavors of Chicken Yakitori.
Marinated in a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce, these mushrooms develop a deliciously sticky and flavorful coating when grilled.
This vegetarian option enhances the earthy taste of the mushrooms, adding depth of flavor and variety to your yakitori dining experience.
Bok Choy
Renowned for its crisp texture and mild, slightly peppery flavor, Bok Choy is a nutrient-dense leafy green that complements the savory notes of Chicken Yakitori.
Ideal for a Yakitori Dinner, this versatile vegetable can be stir-fried with garlic and soy sauce.
Pair it with vegetable chow mein noodles, a Japanese egg salad sandwich, or grilled vegetable skewers for a complete, satisfying meal.
Sesame Noodle Salad
Sesame Noodle Salad, with its vibrant medley of textures and flavors, serves as an invigorating and complementary side dish to Chicken Yakitori. This invigorating salad features cooked noodles tossed in a savory sesame dressing with crunchy vegetables.
The nutty, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors of the salad beautifully balance the smoky, savory taste of Chicken Yakitori, making it a delightful addition to your meal.
Oven Roasted Asparagus
While a lively Sesame Noodle Salad offers an invigorating contrast, another excellent accompaniment to Chicken Yakitori is oven roasted asparagus.
This side dish is not only healthy, packed with fiber and essential vitamins, but also delicious. Roasting asparagus at 425°F for 10-15 minutes caramelizes its natural sugars, enhancing its flavor. Simply season with olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest for a perfect match.
Spinach Ohitashi
Spinach Ohitashi, a traditional Japanese side dish, offers a nutrient-rich and invigorating complement to Chicken Yakitori. This dish features blanched spinach served cold with a savory soy sauce dressing.
Known for its simple yet revitalizing flavor, Spinach Ohitashi pairs beautifully with the grilled essence of Chicken Yakitori. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it provides a healthy and delicious addition to any Japanese cuisine meal.
Teriyaki Tofu
Building on the rich flavors introduced by Spinach Ohitashi, Teriyaki Tofu offers a savory and protein-packed accompaniment to Chicken Yakitori.
This Japanese vegetarian dish features tofu cubes marinated in a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce. Grilled, baked, or pan-fried, it adds depth and variety to your meal.
Teriyaki Tofu is easy to prepare, making it a convenient addition to your yakitori experience.
Ramen Egg
Enhancing the traditional flavors of Chicken Yakitori, Ramen Eggs, or Ajitsuke Tamago, provide a marinated soft-boiled egg option that adds a sweet and savory dimension to the meal.
Marinated in soy sauce and mirin, these eggs have a creamy yolk and firm white. Commonly paired with ramen noodles, they offer a delightful texture and flavor contrast, enriching your dining experience.
Japanese Potato Salad
Complementing the rich and savory flavors of Ramen Eggs, Japanese Potato Salad offers a creamy, slightly sweet, and tangy side dish that pairs harmoniously with Chicken Yakitori.
Made with mashed potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and mayonnaise, this invigorating potato salad often includes hard-boiled eggs or ham, adding protein and flavor.
Served cold, it provides a delightful contrast to the smoky taste of yakitori.
Can the Same Side Dishes be Served with Chicken Yakitori and Chicken Souvlaki?
When serving chicken yakitori and chicken souvlaki, the best side dishes for chicken souvlaki can be served with both. Common options like Greek salad, tzatziki, and rice work well with both dishes, enhancing their flavors and creating a cohesive meal. These classic sides complement the grilled chicken perfectly.
Tamagoyaki
Tamagoyaki, a traditional Japanese rolled omelette, offers a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors that pairs perfectly with chicken yakitori.
This side dish, seasoned with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, involves rolling thin layers of cooked egg to create a tender texture.
Its versatility allows it to be served hot or cold, making it an ideal complement to your meal.