Momiji

What is Momiji? At 156 Cumberland Street in Yorkville—next door to Masaki Saito's MSSM and Ramen Tabetai block—Momiji is Toronto's first dedicated Japanese yakitori omakase counter. Saito partners with Chef Takuma (Yaizu-born, Tsuji-trained, five years at a Michelin-starred Osaka yakitori counter, plus a sommelier cert from Cosimo Plus) on a fire-first room built around Ontario heritage chicken and imported binchotan charcoal. The name means maple leaf: a Canada–Japan nod, not a rename of the long-running Momiji Japanese Grill in The Kingsway.

Momiji Menu & What to Order This is whole-bird yakitori, not a skewer sampler menu. The kitchen works thigh, heart, oyster, neck, and skin over binchotan so each cut hits its own fat and texture window; the team spent two years breeding a local chicken specifically for this grill. Expect a paced omakase at the counter rather than à la carte plates—pairings lean sake and careful beverage service from a chef who also trained as a sommelier. Confirm the current tasting length and price when you book.

Know Before You Go Soft-opened Saturday, September 12, 2026 (INsauga, Sep 11: "opens tomorrow"). Reservations are the play for a tight counter; walk-ins will be scarce. Regular weekly hours and phone were not widely published as of 2026-09-16—follow Saito / Momiji channels before you go. Bay subway and the Bloor corridor put you steps away; Cumberland street parking is tight. This is the move when you want Toronto's first true yakitori omakase, not another sushi counter.