The impassioned, synchronised chant of “irasshaimase” echoes throughout the long, timber-clad room as we enter Bird’s Nest in Fortitude Valley, the new sibling to the highly successful West End eatery of the same name.

The enthusiastic Japanese welcome sets the mood for the bouncing-off-the- wall energy you can expect at this fun, fast-paced yakitori bar from Channel 9 reality show Hotplate winners Emi Kamada and Marie Yokoyama.

The sleek fit-out encompasses a curved bamboo wall, heavy timber bar and impressive open kitchen, but it’s their superbly executed chicken-based menu that keeps diners piling in.

The place was packed by 8pm on a Friday night with mostly under-40s digging into the likes of lotus root chips with soy caramel, karaage, and the hero of the show – yakitori.

The lightning fast chefs sling out dishes quicker than you can fling a chopstick, with our mini tama on the bench in front of us in what seemed like mere seconds. The soy-soaked boiled quail eggs proudly boasted perfectly runny centres, heightened only by a splash of Japanese mustard.

Equally impressive was the buta bara with kimchi mayo. The rendered pieces of pork belly were charred and slightly smoky. Vegie skewers of okra, capsicum and zucchini won’t set the world alight, but what might is the tsukune. The skewered chicken meatballs hold a miso-like sweetness balanced by an accompanying raw egg yolk.

If your diet allows, the tori kawa – skewered pieces of crispy chicken skin – are an indulgence to get excited about. They’re even better washed down with one of the Japanese craft beers from the well-composed drinks list, which extends from plum wines and sake to cocktails and Japanese whisky.

The white sesame seed panna cotta will satisfy for dessert, but pair it with yuzu sorbet and it’s even better.

If you like this, try…

 Central: Hato Gyoza and Grill

A relative newcomer to the CBD, this eatery dishes out a variety of skewers (beef, pork, chicken), alongside tempura and gyoza.

Central: Taro’s Ramen

There’s no yakitori, but this Brisbane institution with restaurants in Ascot and the CBD is a must for any ramen and karaage cravings.

Central: Harajuki Gyoza

Pair your dumplings with sake bombs at one of the various branches of this fun, frenetic eatery and you’re in for a wild night.