Yakiniku Like Japan Guide for Tourists: Solo BBQ, Smokeless Roasters & How to Order

Quick Facts

What it is

Yakiniku Like, operated by Yakiniku Like Co., Ltd. (part of the Dining Innovation Group), is an innovative Japanese fast-casual barbecue chain that revolutionized Japanese dining with the concept of "Solo Yakiniku" (Hitori Yakiniku). Designed specifically to eliminate the traditional intimidation of entering a Japanese BBQ restaurant alone, each seat features a private partitioned counter, an individual smokeless electric roaster, a built-in water tap, and a personal order tablet. Meals are prepared with lightning speed—typically served within three minutes of ordering—and come with steamed rice, soup, and kimchi alongside beef cuts like karubi short rib, skirt steak (harami), and beef tongue. Because the advanced downward-draft roasters draw smoke away immediately, diners leave without smelling of barbecue smoke, making it a favorite for solo travelers on tight schedules.

How to order

Dining at Yakiniku Like is a completely streamlined, automated experience:

1. Take your assigned booth or counter seat: Walk in and be directed to an open partitioned solo counter booth.
2. Switch the tablet to your language: Tap the flag icon on the tabletop touchscreen tablet to switch to English, Chinese, or Korean.
3. Select your meat set and rice portion: Choose a set meal (such as Mixed Karubi or Takumi Karubi & Harami) and select your rice portion size (small, medium, or large are often the same price, and many stores offer free rice refills until 17:00). You can also add 50g à la carte meat plates.
4. Prepare your station while waiting: Open the drawer beneath your table to retrieve chopsticks, a wet wipe, and a disposable paper apron. Dispense drinking water directly from the personal tap attached to your counter.
5. Collect your tray: Within roughly 3 minutes, your screen or an audio chime will notify you that your tray is ready at the pickup window (or staff will place it in front of you).
6. Ignite the grill and cook: Press and hold the ignition buttons on your counter to turn on the smokeless roaster, adjust the heat level, and grill each slice to your liking. Choose from an array of tabletop dipping sauces (original sweet soy tare, garlic sauce, spicy sauce, lemon juice, or rock salt).
7. Pay at the automated self-checkout machine: When finished (no tipping is required in Japan), take the barcode tab or number stand from your counter to the self-checkout register near the door and scan to pay.

What to order first

All dishes below are officially featured on the Yakiniku Like Official Menu and row reference data (prices and regional cuts subject to seasonal update):

• Mixed Karubi Set (100g / 200g / 300g): The chain's most popular value set, pairing juicy beef short ribs with pork belly, served with rice, wakame seaweed soup, and kimchi; 100g starts around ¥650 tax-included (as of September 20, 2026).
• Takumi Karubi & Harami Set (100g–200g): Premium sliced beef short rib (Takumi Karubi) combined with tender skirt steak (Harami), offering deeper beef flavor and tender texture, priced around ¥900–¥1,400 tax-included (as of September 20, 2026).
• Gyu-Suki Yakiniku Set: Thinly sliced beef grilled over the roaster and dipped into sweet sukiyaki sauce and raw egg, priced around ¥800 tax-included (as of September 20, 2026).
• Mega-Mori Set (450g): A massive meat feast combining Karubi, Harami, and beef horumon (tripe/offal) totaling 450 grams of meat, priced around ¥1,700 tax-included (as of September 20, 2026).
• Single Meat Add-On Plates (50g): Allows you to customize your meal by adding 50-gram portions of beef tongue (gyutan), pork belly, or chicken thighs to any set.

Payment & practical info

Payment methods and individual amenities vary by location (check the Official Store Locator for branch specifics):

• Accepted Payment Methods: Automated self-checkout terminals generally accept cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, WAON, nanaco, Rakuten Edy), and smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay).
• Smokeless Downward Suction Roasters: Every counter features an integrated downward suction vent that draws smoke and grease down before it rises, keeping your clothes and coat virtually odor-free.
• Lunchtime Free Rice Refills (Until 17:00): At most locations, ordering a set meal includes unlimited free refills of steamed white rice until 17:00 (5:00 PM), making it an exceptional daytime value for hungry travelers.
• Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Varies by location. While select locations provide USB ports or standard AC charging sockets under the counter and free Wi-Fi, they are not standardized across all branches.
• Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Dining services consumed inside Japan cannot be exempted from consumption tax.

Good to know / Common mistakes

• Waiting for a waiter to take your order or bring water: Yakiniku Like is completely self-reliant. Water is poured from the silver tap at your counter, utensils and paper aprons are inside the counter drawer, and you order everything on the touchscreen.
• Worrying about smelling like barbecue for the rest of the day: The patented smokeless downward roasters suck air away at grate level. While some oil splatter occurs, you will not smell of smoky grease when boarding your next train.
• Trying to pay at your seat: Never leave cash on the table or try to pay the server. Always take the plastic card with your barcode from your table stand to the self-checkout kiosk near the exit.
• Missing out on free rice refills before 5 PM: If you are dining between opening and 17:00, you can request extra rice through the tablet without paying extra fees at participating stores.

Sources

• Yakiniku Like Official Website: https://yakiniku-like.com/ (Verified: 2026-09-20)
• Yakiniku Like Store Locator: https://yakiniku-like.com/shop.html (Verified: 2026-09-20)
• Yakiniku Like Access & Information Guide: https://yakiniku-like.com/access.html (Verified: 2026-09-20)