Taste Test with Fire (The Binchotan Challenge)

Torikami Singapore
May 14
2 min read

Updated: May 23

Most grilling methods rely on convenience. Gas. Electricity. Even standard charcoal. But at Torikami Singapore, our test of fire is more than just heat—it's a conversation between chef and flame, between skewer and soul. It begins with binchotan, the legendary Japanese white charcoal that transforms ordinary grilling into a craft of precision.

What is Binchotan?

Binchotan is one of the highest-grade activated charcoal in the world, traditionally made from eucalyptus wood grown in sustainable forests. Through a meticulous firing process that can last 15 to 20 days at temperatures exceeding 1000°C, impurities are removed, leaving behind charcoal composed of over 93% pure carbon. The result? A dense, nearly smokeless charcoal that burns cleanly, emits infrared heat, and maintains a consistent high temperature for hours.

Charcoal composed of over 93% pure carbon

A Grill Like No Other

Unlike modern fuels, binchotan doesn’t overpower. It is respectful. It enhances. It allows the natural umami of each chicken part to come forward, kissed by fire, not masked by smoke. Every drop of rendered chicken fat that touches the embers sings—a crisp sizzle, a puff of aroma, a flavor revelation.

At Torikami Singapore, our chefs use binchotan not just for heat but as a tool of storytelling. From the delicate cartilage of nankotsu to the rich depth of liver, each skewer is grilled to perfection over flames that respond intuitively to the hand of the chef.

Can You Handle the Heat?

This isn’t just cooking—it’s a challenge. A challenge of control. Of respect for the ingredients. Of timing so precise, even a second too long on the grill could shift the flavor.

The binchotan challenge at Torikami Singapore is a bold invitation: to taste chicken as you've never known it, to witness the intersection of elemental fire and refined technique. To step into a culinary ritual where every bite is forged over pure white flame.

Reservation

Ready to test your senses? The counter awaits. Torikami Singapore — Where fire refines, not consumes.