Teppanyaki is a style of cuisine that’s especially famous in the United States and other Western countries. Benihana, the famous international chain restaurant, is what usually comes to mind for many people. 

Renowned for its theatrical style of cooking, it provides diners with a fun and exciting experience for all, and found fame amongst American audiences when it arrived in the states in 1964.

While teppanyaki is a style of cooking, it is also a performance art. Fresh ingredients, generational cooking techniques and showmanship combine to create an invigorating dining experience. It is both a visual and a culinary feast. But, what is Japanese teppanyaki?

Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine that has found more popularity with an international audience over a domestic one. The word teppan translates to “iron plate” and yaki to “grilled,” which makes the translation of “teppanyaki” to something like “grilling on an iron plate.” In Japan, it is a more upscale form of dining and is usually eaten on special occasions.

A large variety of food is available to diners at teppanyaki, all made from fresh and high-quality ingredients. Protein is important and teppanyaki usually involves a protein-rich dish like meat or seafood, such as shrimp or octopus. Yakisoba and rice also pepper the menu, as a delicious carbohydrate option. 

Chopped and sliced vegetables accompany the meal in the form of side dishes, as veggies are a nutritious and important part of every plate.

Okonomiyaki and monjayaki are two delicious dishes that compare closely to a savory pancake filled with cabbage, protein, vegetables and other toppings. As these are always made on a grill, they are also included under the banner of teppanyaki.

Depending on the restaurant, you'll either have your own personal teppanyaki grill for cooking your dinner yourself, or a chef will make it for you with expert technique. Either way, you won't leave hungry.

Misono, the first teppanyaki-style restaurant, was opened by Shigeji Fujioka in Kobe in 1945. It claims to be the first restaurant to introduce the style of cooking Western-influenced food on a grill in front of diners. 

It was soon discovered that this style of open cooking teppanyaki found more popularity amongst an international audience, compared to a domestic Japanese one. The performance aspect of teppanyaki increased as more overseas visitors flocked to these restaurants.

In 1964, the first teppanyaki restaurant was opened in New York City. Which restaurant was this? Well, of course, it was the notable Benihana restaurant. 

Japanese teppanyaki restaurants are still well-known and celebrated today in the US, but they are known by a few other names as well: Japanese steakhouse and hibachi.

While teppanyaki and hibachi are two separate (although similar) things in Japan, in North America, they are two words used interchangeably. In Japanese, hibachi translates to “fire bowl” and is actually a traditional Japanese heating device. They’re used for heating, not for cooking.

In contrast, the North American version of hibachi grills are actually called shichirin in Japanese. Shichirin are small cooking stoves or grills heated by charcoal. 

Fun fact: Shichirin is the tattoo that singer Ariana Grande accidentally got when she tried to tattoo “seven rings” on herself in Japanese. Kanji is important to know!

To summarize, in Japan, teppanyaki (grilled style of cooking), hibachi (fire bowl heating device) and shichirin (small grill) are all different things. In North America, teppanyaki and hibachi are considered the same thing.

 While teppanyaki is a type of cooking that uses an iron griddle to cook food, first made popular after WWII. It consists of all kinds of ingredients, usually grilling meats, seafood, eggs and vegetables.

 Yakiniku, however, is specifically the grilling of meat, and is prepared on a wire grill over charcoal. Both are equally delicious, but separate types of traditional Japanese cooking.

 Find out more: What Is Yakiniku? The Ultimate Guide to Japanese BBQ

XEX TOKYO / Teppanyaki An is an intimate and upscale teppanyaki restaurant with breathtaking views of the Tokyo skyline, including Tokyo Tower! The course menus incorporate the specialties of Motoshiro Saito, founder of famed Western-style Japanese restaurant Shunkotei; indulge in decadent items like cheese miso fondue and grilled wagyu beef.

Ajikaido Gojusantsugi provides majestic views of the Tokyo skyline, surrounding diners as they feast upon their delectable meals. An array of Japanese restaurants are available to choose from, which serve heavenly Japanese kuroge wagyu at Teppanyaki Sanjo or traditional Edomae sushi at Sushi Nihonbashi.

Unparalleled views of Tokyo Bay form the backdrop of Teppanyaki Icho, offering a fine dining experience at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba. This upscale teppanyaki experience includes Waoh meat from Kumamoto Prefecture, a delicacy rarely found in Tokyo and its surrounding areas, and abalone, which is not to be missed.

The season determines the specialties at Wagyu Teppanyaki Katsura, a delightful teppanyaki restaurant in Tokyo. One obligatory menu item is the specially selected Hida Wagyu beef, cooked to perfection in front of diners’ eyes.

A stunning emporium greets guests with high ceilings, velvet chairs and Baccarat chandeliers at Honten Yamashina in Ginza. Omi beef from Shiga Prefecture, only purchased after turning 40 months old, is the meat on the menu and has a richer and deeper flavor because of its maturity.

Teppanyaki is one of the most exquisite ways to sample the best ingredients Japan has to offer in a luxurious setting. Visitors can experience the Japanese version of teppanyaki that differs from home, while residents can enjoy a fancy night out or special occasion. 

As a cuisine that exemplifies “East meets West,” there’s no need to guess why the simple yet extravagant teppanyaki experience is beloved by many.

From cooking classes to luxurious dining, browse through these teppanyaki-inspired experiences:

1. Omi beef cooking and premium dining in Hikone, Shiga

2. Teppanyaki cooking and steak flambe in Hikone, Shiga

3. Learn to make okonomiyaki and wagashi in Hiroshima

4. Enjoy wagyu beef teppanyaki at Katsura with views of the Tokyo Tower

5. Try luxurious Kobe beef teppanyaki at Kobe En Steakhouse

Hungry for more Japanese meat? Check out these oishii (delicious) Japanese culinary delights! Discover our guide to yakiniku, or chase down the best teppanyaki restaurants in Tokyo.

Teppanyaki is a traditional Japanese cuisine that involves cooking a range of ingredients on an iron griddle. This may include meat, seafood, noodles and fresh veggies. 

Teppanyaki blends the art of cooking with the flavors of seasonal ingredients, grilled to perfection. It is seen as a somewhat luxurious dining experience in Japan, often saved for a birthday, anniversary or group party.

Depending on the restaurant, the price of teppanyaki in Japan may cost anywhere from ¥10,000 to ¥30,000 per person. It is seen as a premium dining experience and has a price to match, often as a result of the superior ingredients used.