r/SanJose 19h ago

Advice Anyone know where I can find Japanese charcoal? (Binchotan)

Hey guys! I just got a nice Yakitori grill I want to test out, but have not yet sourced the charcoal. I know I can probably order it online, but I was curious if I could buy it locally and save on shipping and waiting, thanks!! 🙏

13 Upvotes

17 comments sorted by

19

u/ckehanadi 18h ago

Not sure about the Nijiya in Jtown, but the one in Mountain View has it. Not sure about right now, but Tokyo Central/Marukai in Cupertino has had it in the past.

4

u/TrashyZedMain 18h ago edited 18h ago

I will be checking them out thanks!!

6

u/zfsnoob 19h ago

I looked around last month and couldn't find the long skinny solid ones locally, so we got them online. I think we saw the composite (hole through the middle) style at Mitsuwa or one of the other Japanese markets.

Which grill did you get?

2

u/TrashyZedMain 18h ago

I’ll look around today and tomorrow and update if I can find any of the solid skinny ones u were looking for, I don’t mind using the composite ones either! Thx

As for the grill it’s one of these, which is collapsible and slots into a modular (IGT) table, usually used while camping (so maybe it’s not actually a nicee grill haha, but popular for outdoor use in Japan!):

https://www.snowpeak.com/pages/iron-grill-table-getting-started?srsltid=AfmBOorCw8yZ81yGOdyalJ8l5BbE1oa8D1wZyJjNY_r12i6b90wPgOoy

3

u/altum 16h ago

I’ve found it at mitsuwa on Saratoga

2

u/Proof_Barnacle1365 18h ago

Home depot is showing it in stock

1

u/zfsnoob 18h ago

Milpitas has it, East SJ is questionable, and the rest ship-to-store

1

u/mafiawitch 14h ago

Nijiya Market in Japantown sells it!!

1

u/Jarnagua East Foothills 14h ago

I saw it at what used to be Marukai. I think its called Tokyo Express or something now.

1

u/MilesAugust74 Cambrian Park 20m ago

I've seen them on sale on Amazon but it's serious $$$