Chicken heart skewers
Chicken heart skewers, known as 'Hatsu' or 'Kawa' in Japanese yakitori, are a popular street food and izakaya snack originating from Japan. They typically consist of whole or halved chicken hearts threaded onto bamboo skewers, grilled over charcoal, and seasoned with either a savory-sweet tare sauce or simple salt.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is an excellent source of high-quality protein and is very low in carbohydrates. It is particularly rich in iron, B vitamins (especially B12), and CoQ10, with a typical serving of 2-3 skewers providing roughly 150-200 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbs | 5 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Zinc | 3.0 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 8.0 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 10 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Selenium | 50 mcg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.6 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.4 mg |
Per 4 skewers (approx. 150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culinarily, chicken hearts are prized for their unique, firm, and slightly chewy texture, which is a beloved contrast to other yakitori options. Nutritionally, they are a nutrient-dense organ meat, offering a concentrated boost of essential nutrients often lacking in muscle meats.
