First Friday Food Blog
Hibachi & Teppanyaki
As we dive deeper into various Japanese foods and styles, let’s discuss one of the more common varieties of Japanese restaurants you can find across the US: hibachi. The kind of hibachi restaurant that comes to mind for the average American is much less common or known in Japan. A Japanese person going to a hibachi grill here is an experience similar to taking someone from Mexico to Taco Bell! What we call hibachi is more commonly known as teppanyaki in Japan. While the terms have similar meanings, there is one brand which is solely responsible for the use of hibachi.
Benihana origins are in 1950’s Japan, where the American occupation was occurring in full force. Due to an aversion to the local cuisine, restaurants in Japan began catering to an American palate. They would soon take the traditional concept of grilling foods over a “hibachi” and adding steak to serve in a flashy style to American patrons. The potential of this was not lost on potential restaurateurs. Hiroaki Aoki opened the first Benihana in New York City in this style. Dazzling to both returning service members and locals alike, the concept was an instant success.
A few of the keys to this success are both the entertainment value that Benihana added with their skilled chefs, but also the variety of foods that can be ordered. It is an ideal first-time experience for many who are wary of foods such as raw sushi. From shrimp or steak to tofu and veggies, there is something for everyone at a hibachi grill. It’s like having dinner and a show wrapped up all in one.
To this day, hibachi is one of the most popular and approachable styles of Japanese food in the US. While it has become more American over time, it is still easy to recognize its Japanese origin, especially at restaurants such as Benihana. Next time you visit a hibachi restaurant, take a closer look around and see what stands out!
Dylan Coffey
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