Yakitori, hibachi, shichirin, teppanyaki, and konro are dishes that are best prepared on the best Japanese tabletop grill. For those who are not familiar with these Japanese-style grills, they are highly popular worldwide due to their compact size and ability to prepare delicious meals.
Japanese grills are generally small in size and are meant to cook skewers on the tabletop. They are typically portable, and you can find charcoal and electric models that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Comparison Table:
There are many models available in nowadays very competitive markets, so buying the appropriate one may present itself as a challenge. We understand that making the right choice can be tricky, so we did a bit of research and came up with some of the best-reviewed Japanese grills list we would like to share with you. So without further redo, let us start.
List of Top Picks Japanese Tabletop Grill
1. Fire Sense 60450 Yakatori Charcoal Grill, Large, Tan
Coming from the Fire Sense store, this tabletop grill offers amazing performance and is highly praised among its users for efficiency and build quality. It boasts 170 square inches of cooking surface, which is more than enough to cook multiple skewers at the same time.
This grill is fueled with charcoal and features safety clips that ensure every piece of the product stays in its place without any risk of spilling over. The interior of the grill is made of ceramic, and this design makes sure that the heat is spread evenly and that the meats remain juicy and tasty.
The grill also features an adjustable ventilation system that makes it easy to control the temperature, and the clay build makes it also visually appealing, so you can place it wherever you like. On top of it all, this product comes with a pretty affordable price tag, so it is definitely worthy of attention.
2. Hinomaru Collection Japanese Tabletop Shichirin Konro Charcoal Grill
This Japanese-style grill comes from the Hinomaru Collection store, and it is available in three color patterns for you to choose from. It is an excellent choice for preparing robata, yakitori, takoyaki, or any traditional barbeque you like.
It is a great charcoal grill with excellent features; however, the one downside is worth mentioning, and that is that the kanji on the outside is engraved and painted instead of wrapped in paper, which makes cleaning a bit harder. The grill is very convenient and compact in size, so you can easily store it wherever you want.
To get the best results out of this product, make sure to use charcoal briquettes since the small heating chamber makes starting a fire very fast. Hinomaru charcoal grill comes with a wire mesh and wooden stand to ensure it does not come in contact with furniture while preparing food. Great product for a very low price.
3. ISUMER Charcoal Grill Barbecue Portable BBQ
This convenient and portable charcoal grill comes from the Isumer store and offers excellent performance. It is made of materials that are a bit on the thin side; however, do not let this fool you since they are quite sturdy and very safe to use.
The look of this grill can be deceiving since it seems very small; however, the cooking surface is pretty wide and is sufficient to cook for four to six people. Although the product does not come pre-assembled, you can do it all by yourself in just a couple of minutes. It is also lightweight, portable, and can be stored anywhere with ease.
This grill features an adjustable ventilation system that assists you in controlling the heat intensity. This system also ensures that the heat is spread evenly, which grants you a better meat taste and keeps all the juices inside. Great for camping and outdoor use, the grill is also equipped with convenient handles on the side, making it very easy to move around from place to place.
4. MeiMeiDa Japanese Style BBQ Grill
Coming from the MeiMeiDa store, this Japanese-style grill offers a traditional design that is perfect for preparing various types of barbeque. It is constructed using aluminum-alloy material, and its stainless steel grill mesh ensures that the heat is spread evenly for the best cooking results.
It is great for grilling Japanese dishes such as yakiniku, robata, yakitori, or takoyaki. Since it is small in size and highly portable, you can use it for camping, picnics, beach, or any other outdoor activity. The cooking surface is decent and is sufficient for preparing food for two to four people.
This product is also quite durable due to its independent carbon tank, which prevents the side and the bottom temperature from getting too high. Assembling it is very easy, and maintenance does not take much of your time since you only need to wash the upper grill and inner charcoal steel case.
5. PUXING Japanese Tabletop BBQ Grill
Compact, well-designed, and easy to clean, this Japanese tabletop grill offers amazing performance and provides you with tasty and juicy food. Since it is very small in size, you should be patient and add so much charcoal to the chamber. It is suitable for cooking for three people max.
The product is made of aluminum alloy and boasts stainless steel grill mesh. The food gets heated evenly, and the air circulation feels really good. In addition, due to the small size of this grill, you can clean it easily after each use without spending too much time on it.
The grill also comes with a wooden tray that is designed to protect the barbeque and your table from the heat. Its simplistic and small design makes it very portable so you can easily carry it around effortlessly. In addition, the assembling process is very easy and will take just a couple of minutes.
6. Anushruti Multifunctional Barbecue Grill for Variations on Cooking Methods
This tabletop grill comes from the Anushruti store and is suitable for cooking various types of barbeque, including Japanese-style. It is charcoal-fueled and grants exceptional temperature control and heat retention, which are very important for delivering that juicy and smoky taste.
Considering the fact that the air control is truly outstanding, apart from the grilling, you can also use this product to make pizzas or to bake fresh bread, which adds even more to the versatility of the product. You can get really creative with this grill and expand on your culinary skills.
This grill has a superb heat storage capacity, and the whole chamber absorbs heat at a very high level for an extended period. The maximum temperature can go up to 800 degrees, which is pretty good considering the overall size of the grill. It comes at a bit higher price, but it is worth every penny when you take into consideration the value you are getting.
7. AGM Folding Portable Tabletop Barbecue Charcoal Grill
Easy to store, clean, and use, this portable grill can do it all. From traditional barbeque to Japanese-style dishes, it performs amazingly and retains heat at a very high level. It comes from the AGM store and is available in two sizes for you to choose from.
This unit is pretty lightweight, and you can move it around easily, which is great for picnics, smaller parties, beaches, or camping. It is charcoal-fueled and boasts a drawer-style grid that is very convenient since you can draw it out, add charcoal, and clean it at will.
There are ten air outlets on the bottom of the grill that contribute to charcoal’s evaporation and, at the same time, help heat to spread evenly and grant better taste to your meats. The thickened tripod is also included alongside the product. It is pretty stable, and you can fold it and store it anywhere. This is a great budget pick that you should definitely give a go.
8. Kinka BBQ Diatomite Charcoal Grill Barbecue Hibachi Stove
This charcoal barbeque comes from the Kinka store, and it is an excellent choice for everyone that enjoys traditional Japanese-style barbeque. Technically speaking, this is more of a stove than a grill, and it is designed to cook authentic yakitori and hibachi BBQ.
What separates this product from the pack is its safety features. For example, the materials on the outside of the grill are made of heat-resistant diatomite earth so that they will never get so hot to the point that they can burn. This means that it is safe to touch the body of the product, which is very convenient, especially if you are cooking with children nearby.
There is an ample cooking surface area on which you can prepare food for at least six or seven people. The grill also features oversized handles, making it portable and very easy to move around. There are also three adjustable vents that ensure that air circulation is on a high level and that the heat gets spread evenly. Although it is a bit higher in price, it is a great product for Japanese grill lovers and is worth every penny.
9. StyleMbro Japanese Yakiniku Grill for Yakiniku, Robata, Yakitori, Takoyaki and BBQ
Coming from the StyleMbro store, this grill can be used to cook most traditional Japanese-style barbeques. It is very compact, small-sized, and performs very well both indoors and outdoors. Each of the items you get in the package is very easy to assemble, and you can do it in a minute.
Although the cooking surface might seem small, it is just right since Japanese barbeque is typically small in size. To get the best results out of this product, it is recommended to use charcoal briquettes. The inner steel case keeps the grill clean from ashes for extended periods, which adds even more convenience.
The compact size makes it great for any type of outdoor use, and this particular model is also an excellent solution for various types of meats. However, the main purpose of this product is to try out those delicious Japanese BBQ recipes, and if you are a fan of this barbeque style, you should definitely check this product out.
10. Asahikei Japanese Yakitori Takoyaki BBQ Grill
This little Japanese grill comes from the Ashahikei store, and it is great for both indoors and outdoors since it is electrically powered. It is also great if you want to cook your barbeque with less smoke and odors, which are inevitable when using standard charcoal grills.
The product comes with a grilling plate, a rack, and a takoyaki plate, so once it arrives, you are all set to prepare that delicious traditional Japanese barbeque. The grill is made of steel and aluminum, making it pretty light at a mere 2.36 pounds.
On the front of the product, you will find an adjustable vent that keeps food odors at a minimum level and helps in air circulation. Since this model is very small in size, it is recommended to minimize the amount of food you are cooking on it.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Japanese Tabletop Grill
In order to cook traditional Japanese BBQ, you can use various grills; however, specialized equipment will ensure that you will get the best results and get that authentic flavor. Picking the right grill might be difficult since so many of them have similar features. To help you get the best value for your money’s worth, we have put together a brief list of guidelines you should follow in the section below.
1. Dimensions
You should pick the dimensions of the grill according to the cooking party you want to prepare food for. If you plan to use the grill for camping, beach, or picnic for a couple of people, you should opt for the smaller-sized one. However, if you want to cook for larger parties, you should pick a bigger, rectangular model.
2. Cooking Surface
Choosing the cooking surface is one of the most important considerations that you should make before spending the money. You can choose between grills with stainless steel, chrome, or iron grates.
Each retains the heat on different levels and has different difficulty degrees in terms of cleaning. Stainless steel is one of the best options since it will not rust, and you can clean it easily. Chrome grates are also excellent and the most durable of the bunch, but they are the most expansive as well.
3. Ventilation
When cooking the yakitori grill, ventilation is one of the essential aspects to consider. Most models that we have listed have adjustable ventilation that grants exceptional air circulation and evens up the distributed heat. In case you plan to grill indoors, you should opt for a grill that has at least three or four vents due to lack of airflow.
4. Fuel Source
The primary fuel source for Japanese grills is typically charcoal. However, there are electricity-powered grills that grant excellent results as well. Electric grills are very easy to use, but their downside is that they do not provide charcoal and smokey flavor, which is a signature of Japanese-style BBQ.
5. Portability
Most Japanese tabletop grills are small in size and are designed to be carried around with ease. The smaller the grill is, the easier the transportation is, so opt for smaller ones if you want to use them on camping, beach, or picnics.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a Japanese tabletop grill indoors?
Yes, since Japanese-style grills are meant to be used on a tabletop, the charcoal used for them does not provide much smoke. For indoor purposes, you can also use an electricity-powered grill.
2. Do I need a specific type of charcoal for the Japanese tabletop grill?
To cook food at a high level and high temperatures, it is recommended to use white charcoal that is also known as Binchotan. It is very dense charcoal that produces a lot of heat and hardly any smoke and flame.
3. How can I clean the charcoal Japanese tabletop grill?
If the grill interior is made of ceramic, then it can only be hand-washed since most components are not safe to put in the dishwasher. Make sure to remove the ashes with a paper towel and wash the grates using hot water and a cloth.
4. What is the easiest way to light charcoal in a Japanese tabletop grill?
The easiest way to do this is by arranging charcoal pieces in a pyramid shape and pouring light fluid evenly. Afterward, wait for a minute and then ignite it and put the grade on top of it. Once the charcoal turns white, you are ready to grill.
Final Words
The Japanese tabletop grill is an affordable solution and the perfect cooker for yakitori, hibachi, konro, shichirin, and other similar foods. Whether you want to pick a charcoal ceramic grill or an electric one, you are making a good choice since both types are highly portable, convenient, and small in size.
We hope our guide will provide you with sufficient information to help you make an educated choice when purchasing a Japanese tabletop grill. If you are still uncertain which one to choose, revisit our top picks since they offer amazing features and are cost-efficient.