sou (ソウ)

Hidden below street level near Sendai’s Aoba Dori Ichibancho, sou is a reservation-only yakitori counter built around a single, uncompromising idea: rare Ashizuri Jidori chicken from Kochi Prefecture, aged before grilling and finished over Kishu binchotan charcoal. With only eight counter seats, the intimate room has an unhurried, adult atmosphere suited to an evening spent working through a full omakase course. The chef pairs each stage of the meal with a carefully chosen selection of Japanese wine, treating the humble skewer with the same seriousness as a tasting menu, and has earned recognition as one of the Tohoku region’s standout grilled chicken specialists.