Yakitori Benkei Nishijin ten (焼鳥 弁慶 西新店)

Five minutes from Nishijin subway station, Yakitori Benkei Nishijin ten has earned back-to-back Tabelog Hyakumeiten yakitori WEST selections for 2024 and 2025 while staying true to its roots as an accessible neighborhood yakitori bar. The counter-only restaurant allows smoking, accepts cash only, and keeps prices in the ¥3,000 to ¥3,999 range, a notably affordable tier for a Hyakumeiten-recognized restaurant. Its two hundred-plus reviews and steady following reflect a no-frills approach that favors quality grilling and casual atmosphere over the reservation-only exclusivity common elsewhere on the list.