When one thinks of yakitori in Brisbane, most minds immediately zero in on Bird’s Nest Yakitori Bar & Restaurant. Famed for its white-charcoal-grilled morsels, Bird’s Nest has been reliably serving rich, mouth-watering eats to West End and Fortitude Valley diners for several years now, but owners Marie Yokoyama and Emi Kamada are now looking to corner a different market with Bird’s Nest On The Run in Toowong. Noticing an increasing demand for set meals and express lunch options at their two restaurants, the duo looked to establish a concept based entirely on a more casual offering. The cosy space opened just before Christmas on Toowong Village’s ground-floor food court – a short stroll from the building’s Sherwood Road entrance. Totalling 35 seats and outfitted with a binchotan grill of its own, Bird’s Nest On The Run offers a comfortable locale to grab a quick bite, with a stylish interior crafted by Japanese designer (and long-time Bird’s Nest collaborator) Katsuya Iwamoto.
The condensed and easy-to-navigate menu features a selection of Bird’s Nest’s sizzling yakitori bites packaged into wholesome dishes, easy to grab and go or enjoy on site. Bird’s Nest On The Run’s menu starts with a collection of nourishing bowls, topped with bincho-grilled chicken or veggies, toro toro pork and chicken karaage. A selection of hot dogs follow, with chicken meatballs, karaage fried chicken and potato croquettes served with mayo on a soft Japanese roll. Finally, snacks such as katsu-topped green salads, edamame, lotus root chips, Japanese creme caramel with ginger syrup, and flavoured chips and karaage (coated in your choice of seaweed salt, garlic, black pepper, and ume plum and bonito) will fill in any gaps you might have. Bird’s Nest also has a curated selection of drinks, from iced green tea and Japanese white-peach cider to ice-cold Japanese beers, sake and Australian wine.
Bird’s Nest On The Run is now open in Toowong Village. For more information, head to the Stumble Guide.
