Japanese Restaurant Where They Cook in Front of You?
Have you visited a Japanese restaurant where they cook right before you?
The cooking style is called Teppanyaki which comes from two words; “Teppan” which refers to the metal plate where the chef cooks the food and “Yaki” which means boiled, grilled, or pan-fried.
The Teppanyaki style of cooking is said to have originated some two hundred years ago but was commercialized only in 1945 by Misono, a restaurant in Japan.
While not as popular with the locals, Teppanyaki food and style of cooking became a favorite with visitors from around the world.
In the USA, Teppanyaki arrived in the 1960s and the first restaurant opened in New York City.
Over the years, it gained immense popularity and now there are numerous restaurants where they offer teppanyaki.
Teppanyaki offers a unique experience as you can sit together with family and friends and watch as the chef shows off their skills in front of you.
You can enjoy red meat, seafood, chicken, veggies and more.
What is it Called When They Cook Japanese in Front of You?
Japanese food is delicious and offers an amazing experience.
You can get food traditionally prepared in the kitchen or enjoy Teppanyaki where the chef cooks in front of you on a hot grill plate.
You can watch how the chef prepares your food and eat whatever your heart desires be it steak, chicken, fish, other seafood, or vegetables.
What is Difference Between Hibachi and Teppanyaki?
Hibachi and teppanyaki both belong to Japanese cuisine and so people use them interchangeably to mean food that’s grilled.
However, there’s a difference between the two. Teppanyaki uses a hot grill plate and various meats, seafood, and veggies can be cooked on it.
On the other hand, the early hibachi was made of clay and cypress tree wood. The cooking style is more like the grilling that you do in your backyard.
It also normally doesn’t use steak and some fish. Another difference is that teppanyaki is about showmanship and food but hibachi is solely about food.
Japanese Restaurant Where They Cook in Front of You
Japanese cuisine was always spectacular but it wasn’t popular in the US before the 1960s.
But it’s a different scenario today and you can find hundreds of Japanese restaurants across the US.
Here is an overview of some popular teppanyaki restaurant chains in the US.
01. Benihana
Yunosuke “Rocky” Aoki launched the first teppanyaki restaurant in New York City in 1964.
He named it Benihana after his parents’ Tokyo coffee shop. Today, it boasts of more than 90 restaurants.
The teppanyaki restaurant chain offers a wide range of items on their menu. So, if you ever visit a Benihana location, you can order whatever you desire.
Popular Items
Benihana offers entrees, appetizers (hot and cold), side orders, steak, chicken, sushi rolls, yakisoba, spicy tofu steak, and much more.
There is a huge variety of items in both the lunch and dinner menu so you’ll never run out of choices.
Teppanyaki Chefs Skills and Techniques
The teppanyaki chefs at Benihana are friendly, skilled, and welcoming.
As they stand in front of you and prepare your food, you’ll be amazed to see their knife skills and other cooking skills as well.
You’ll enjoy their performance and also the food which they cook for you.
Dining Experience and Atmosphere
Benihana restaurants have lovely décor steeped in Japanese culture.
When you enter any location, you’ll immediately feel like you are in Japan and enjoy an authentic experience not only with the food but also with the restaurant setup.
02. Sakura Japanese Steak, Seafood, and Sushi
If you want to experience authentic and amazing Japanese teppanyaki food in the US then the Sakura Japanese Steak, Seafood, and Sushi restaurant chain is a place you must visit.
It first came on the scene in Fredericksburg, VA, in 1988. Today, it has around 19 restaurants in the Northeast.
Popular Items
Sakura Japanese Steak, Seafood and Sushi offers plenty of items on their menu.
Some of their top dishes include Sakura Chicken Livers, Shrimp Flambe, Scallops, Teriyaki Chicken, New York Steak, Salmon Teriyaki, Teppanyaki Steak and Chicken, Filet Mignon and many more.
Teppanyaki Chefs Skills and Techniques
The teppanyaki chefs at all the Sakura Japanese Steak, Seafood, and Sushi are experts in their profession.
Whether it’s using the chef knives or flipping the food, they have it.
You not only get to enjoy the delicious food that they prepare but also have an exciting visual experience watching them.
Dining Experience and Atmosphere
Japanese cuisine is traditionally healthy and the founder of this restaurant incorporates that aspect in their menu.
So, not only do customers get the chance to taste flavorsome but also healthy food. At the same time, the restaurants offer an authentic Japanese atmosphere.
Hence, even if you’re in America, it feels like you just stepped inside a restaurant in Japan. So, the whole experience becomes a memorable one.
Morimoto, Gyu Kaku, Nobu, Niku X, and Flame are some other top Japanese restaurants in the US that offer teppanyaki experience.
You can check out their locations in your area to visit and enjoy every detail including the excellent food.
What is The Difference Between Hibachi and Yakiniku?
Japanese cuisine has a lot of terms and if you aren’t familiar then it can be a bit confusing.
For example, hibachi and yakiniku are both Japanese styles of cooking. In simple words, they’re both associated with grilling.
However, there’s a difference between the two as well. Hibachi is a type of grilling that a chef prepares in front of diners on a hibachi grill or a teppanyaki grill.
While yakiniku refers to grilled meat, vegetables, and other items made with a sweet-savory sauce.
The food is usually prepared on a gridiron or iron plate installed over a fire.
Why is Teppanyaki So Expensive?
Teppanyaki is amazing but it can also create a dent in your pocket.
It may be expensive due to several reasons such as fresh and high-quality ingredients, limited seats, skilled chefs, use of expensive appliances/utensils, and labor costs.
Do You Tip a Teppanyaki Chef?
Teppanyaki chefs are skilled and exceptional performers. They prepare the most flavorful delicacies and offer you an incredible dining experience.
So, yes, it would be rude not to tip a teppanyaki chef after a spectacular performance and after you enjoy the choicest of Japanese cuisine.
Final Thoughts
If you want to enjoy teppanyaki cooking style and food, then you can visit any location mentioned above if it’s available in your area.
Whether you prefer teriyaki chicken, filet, mignon, scallops, or shrimp, you can order it.
Besides these, you can also have yakisoba, spicy tofu steak, shrimp flambe, teriyaki shrimp, edamame, and much more.
