Japanese Grills - Robata

A Robata is currently on trend. It's the Japanese style of grilling, an ancient tradition that originated with Japanese fishermen. They used small boxes in their boats, burning charcoal to cook their lunch daily while they fished.

Whether in the style of yakitori taverns or neighbourhood izakayas, the kind of after-work establishments where people relax and socialise with their friends, ordering drinks and sharing plates of food, a robata kitchen is always a hit.

The robata is powered by charcoal as an energy source, adding flavour to the food. Robatas are built so you can cook over the embers from various levels, which provides a versatile range of cooking options. The various heights offer different cooking temperatures and various levels of closeness to the flames, which are always smaller with binchotan coal.

There are not a lot of robata accessories, but they are nonetheless essential: firstly, the tongs, a basic tool for handling and turning the food; then there is another basic tool, the skewer supports, where you can place your skewers; another essential element is the tempering rack, which stops the food getting cold; and finally, of course, there’s the grease trap. Cleanliness, first and foremost.