Authentic Japanese Steakhouse | Grill to Perfection


Updated: 25 May 2023

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Japanese Steakhouse

Imagine an erupting fried rice volcano, flying shrimp tails, and onion ring towers – these are just some of the cooking magic tricks performed tableside at exhilarating teppanyaki restaurants.

Skilled Japanese chefs transform dinner into theater as they dice, flip, and sizzle ingredients like steak, chicken, and shrimp on blazing griddles before your eyes.

Every sense is engaged by the sights, sounds, scents, and flavors of teppanyaki flair. Far more entertaining than an ordinary restaurant, the interactive teppanyaki experience lets you see culinary artistry up close while savoring ginger-soy favorites and other Japanese tastes.

If you’re seeking a memorable family night out filled with food and fun, then gather the gang for a teppanyaki grill extravaganza. With personalized service, engaging entertainment, and mouthwatering meals, Japanese steakhouses deliver an unforgettable experience that will wow your entire crew!

What is a Japanese Steakhouse?

If your dinner came with a side of flying shrimp tails, erupting onion volcanoes, and egg tricks, you must be at a Japanese steakhouse!

At these restaurants, teppanyaki chefs double as entertainers as they cook up a menu of meats, seafood, fried rice, and veggies on sizzling flat-top grills right at your table.

It’s a highly interactive dining experience that engages all your senses.

The origins of this cooking-as-theater style emerged postwar in Japan when chefs started flashing knives and fire to turn American steaks into a dinner show for locals.

The teppanyaki tradition continues today, as skilled chefs blend culinary skills with humor and showmanship.

With each ingredient tossed, flipped, and transformed into a mouthwatering meal before your eyes, the Japanese Steakhouse is a one-of-a-kind night out for families seeking to be wowed by both flavor and flair.

History of Japanese Steakhouse

The sizzling world of teppanyaki grilling was born in Japan after WW2.

Chefs started cooking American steaks on large hot plates to thrill hungry diners. Their flashy cooking style with flying food and fire quickly caused a sensation.

From these postwar roots, the Japanese steakhouse was created, combining yummy grilled meats with a dash of dinner theater!

What to Expect at a Japanese Steakhouse (Menu Items)

1. Steak Dishes

Steak Dishes
  • Wagyu beef – Expensive, highly marbled Japanese steak
  • Filet mignon – Tender, lean cut of beef
  • Ribeye – Flavorful cut with more fat
  • Steak combos – Surf and turf with lobster or shrimp

2. Chicken Dishes

Chicken Dishes
  • Hibachi chicken – Grilled chicken thigh or breast with soy ginger glaze
  • Chicken teriyaki – Grilled chicken with sweet teriyaki sauce
  • Yakitori – Skewered grilled chicken pieces
  • Negima yaki – Chicken and scallions grilled on skewers
  • Chicken fried rice – Diced chicken in fried rice with veggies and egg

3. Seafood Stars of the Grill

Seafood Stars of the Grill

Japanese steakhouses are famous for cooking up delicious seafood right at your table. Some of the ocean treats you can expect to see sizzling on the grill include:

  • Shrimp – Juicy butterflied shrimp brushed with garlic butter
  • Scallops – Tender grilled scallops in lemon butter
  • Lobster – Luxurious lobster tail drizzled with melted butter
  • Salmon – Flaky, mouthwatering grilled salmon fillets
  • Octopus and Squid – Chewy grilled octopus legs and squid pieces
  • Crab – Sweet chunks of snow crab leg meat
  • Fish of the Day – Fresh seasonal fish like sea bass or red snapper

The next time you visit a Japanese steakhouse, make sure to leave room for the amazing seafood cooked fresh right in front of you!

4. Roll Call

Roll Call

While known for steak and chicken, Japanese steakhouses often have sushi on the menu too. Here are some rolls and nigiri you can try:

  • California – Crab, avocado, cucumber classic roll
  • Spicy Tuna – Tuna, and chili sauce for a kick
  • Shrimp Tempura – Crispy fried shrimp in the roll
  • Dragon – Eel, avocado, crunchy tempura bits
  • Rainbow – Variety of fish and veggies
  • Salmon – Fresh raw salmon nigiri
  • Tamago – Sweet Japanese omelet nigiri

Order some sushi along with your meal to enjoy the full spectrum of Japanese flavors!

5. Fried Rice Favorites

Fried Rice Favorites

Japanese steakhouse chefs have mastered the art of fried rice. They can whip up amazing versions right before your eyes. Some tasty types you might sample include:

  • Standard – Classic fried rice with carrots, peas, and egg
  • Vegetables – Broccoli, snap peas, mushrooms, and other veggies
  • Chicken – Diced chicken breast adds protein
  • Shrimp – Plump shrimp mixed into the fried rice
  • Steak – Beef strips or ribeye fried rice for extra flavor
  • Kimchi – A little spicy and sour kimchi fried rice
  • Crab – Sweet crab meat highlighted in the fried rice

The sizzling sounds and smells of fried rice cooking at your table take this staple to another level! Be sure to try some.

6. Garden Goodies

Garden Goodies

Alongside all the meat and seafood, Japanese steakhouses also excel at cooking up delicious veggies right on the grill. Some you may get to sample include:

  • Zucchini – Grilled zucchini rounds or spears
  • Onions – Caramelized onions and onion rings
  • Mushrooms – Juicy grilled mushrooms like shiitake
  • Corn – Sweet grilled corn on the cob
  • Asparagus – Fresh tender asparagus spears
  • Broccoli – Charred broccoli florets with lemon
  • Green Beans – Crisp grilled green beans with soy sauce

7. More Than Grilled Meats: Tasty Noodle Dishes

More Than Grilled Meats Tasty Noodle Dishes

1. Signature Japanese Noodle Soups

  • Ramen – Pork broth noodle soup
  • Hot Pot Udon – Hearty udon noodle soup

2. Noodles Meet Tempura

  • Tempura Udon – Fried shrimp and veggies with udon

3. Chilled Noodle Dishes

  • Zaru Soba – Cold soba noodles for dipping
  • Yakisoba – Japanese street food favorite
  • Yaki Soba – Fried egg noodles with veggies

5. Satisfying Stir-Fried Noodles

  • Yaki Udon – Thick udon noodles stir-fried

While the sizzling grill is the star at teppanyaki restaurants, the noodle menu provides an opportunity to explore many quintessential Japanese noodle dishes and customize your ideal noodle bowl.

Trying the Best – Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef

Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef

Japanese Wagyu beef, especially the top A5 grade, is the holy grail of steaks.

What makes it so special?

  • Crazy Marbling – Wagyu is known for intricate marbling or fat inside the meat. This gives it next-level juiciness.
  • Insane Flavor – The marbling makes Wagyu super flavorful. Imagine the richest, butteriest steak you’ve ever tried!
  • Melts in Your Mouth – Wagyu is the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth steak thanks to the fat.
  • Top of the Line – A5 is the highest quality grade of Wagyu from Japan. It’s the pinnacle!

Eating Japanese A5 Wagyu at a steakhouse is an incredible luxury experience.

The beautiful marbling, mind-blowing tenderness, and heavenly rich flavor make it worth the high price. Savoring genuine Japanese Wagyu is a bucket list food moment for any meat lover!

Dinner and a Show

The chefs at Japanese steakhouses put on an exciting cooking performance that amazes and delights guests:

  • Flying Food – Watch shrimp and rice fly as the chef tosses ingredients in the air!
  • Volcano Alert – Chefs create sizzling onion ring volcanoes that erupt with smoke.
  • Egg-streme Skills – They’ll crack an egg with a single chopstick swing. Incredible!
  • Flaming Action – Towering flames and bursts of fire add drama.
  • Knife Skills – Blazing fast knife work chops and dice in seconds.
  • Tableside Theater – Seeing the food cooked right before you is entertaining.

The chef’s tricks, skills, and showmanship make dining at a Japanese steakhouse about way more than just the food. It’s an exciting and memorable night out!

Why you should visit a Japanese Steakhouse

Want an extraordinary dining adventure that engages all your senses?

A night out at a Japanese steakhouse delivers:

  • A Feast for Your Eyes – Watching the chef’s incredible cooking skills and flaming tricks is a visual thrill.
  • Food That Sizzles Your Ears – The sound of sizzling grills and knife chopping creates kitchen music.
  • Amazing Aromas – The savory scents of veggies, shrimp, steak, and more will make your mouth water.
  • Flavors That Dance on Your Tongue – Umami-rich sauces, perfect char, and succulent meats thrill your tastebuds.
  • A Fun Night to Touch On – From catching shrimp in your mouth to clapping for the chef, you get to interact!

With flair, flavor, and fun, a Japanese steakhouse takes dinner to dazzling new heights.

Family Dinner and a Show

1. Made for Family Fun

  • Chef Entertainment Thrill Kids
  • Interactive Moments Engage All Ages
  • Familiar Favorites Appeal to Kids’ Tastes

2. Up Close and Personal

  • Grillside Seating Lets Kids See the Action
  • Catch Food Tossed by the Chef!

3. Quality Family Time

  • Unique Experience Bonds Families
  • Make Lasting Memories Together

With flavors to satisfy all ages along with lively chef entertainment, Japanese steakhouses deliver a one-of-a-kind family night out filled with lasting memories.

Conclusion

A Japanese steakhouse takes dining to dazzling new heights. Beyond expertly prepared steak and shrimp, teppanyaki restaurants provide an interactive show filled with culinary flair.

From volcano-fried rice to tableside tricks, skilled chefs transform cooking into engaging theater. With multi-sensory appeal, these restaurants captivate kids and adults for an unforgettable night out.

On your next family food adventure, gather around the teppan grill and prepare to be amazed. With humor, warmth, and delicious eats, first-timers and loyal fans alike will find magic in the meal at a Japanese steakhouse.

When you crave top-notch cuisine paired with lively entertainment, this singular dining experience sizzles.

Don’t just go for a great meal – go for an extraordinary lasting memory at a teppanyaki table!

FAQs

What is a Japanese steak restaurant called?

Japanese steak restaurants are known as teppanyaki restaurants or Japanese steakhouses. Skilled chefs at these restaurants cook different dishes like steak, seafood, and vegetables on large flat-top grills called teppan at your table.

What is it called when they cook in front of you?

The style of cooking food right at your table is called teppanyaki. Teppanyaki cooking originated in Japan after WWII when chefs started cooking American steaks on big griddles to entertain diners.

What should I wear to a Japanese steakhouse?

Most Japanese steakhouses have casual dress codes so you can wear nice jeans, trousers, dresses, or other semi-formal attire. Just avoid clothes that are overly messy or have offensive language.

What kind of food is Benihana?

Benihana is one of the earliest and most popular Japanese steakhouse chains. They serve the classic teppanyaki menu items like steak, chicken, shrimp, fried rice, and noodles cooked by chefs at teppan grills at your table.

Why is Japanese steak so expensive?

High-quality Japanese Wagyu steak is very expensive because of the intense marbling that gives it an exceptionally tender, buttery texture, and rich flavor. The high cost comes from the care and genetics involved in raising top Wagyu cattle.

What is a female cook called?

Female cooks and chefs are still referred to as chefs in professional kitchens today. Gender does not change the job title.

What is Japanese BBQ called?

Japanese-style BBQ is called yakiniku in Japanese. At yakiniku restaurants, you cook thinly sliced meats and vegetables yourself on a small grill at your table.

What is a Japanese grill called?

The flat-top griddle used for teppanyaki cooking is called a teppan in Japanese. Teppan literally means “iron plate.”

What is Japan’s dress code?

Japan generally has a casual dress code, but they emphasize neatness, cleanliness, and avoiding offensive/sloppy clothing. Dressing respectfully is important in Japanese culture.

What to wear in Kyoto?

Kyoto’s dress code is casual. Nice jeans, trousers, modest dresses, and other semi-formal clothes are fine for visiting temples, restaurants, and other Kyoto attractions.

What do Japanese chefs wear?

Japanese chefs often wear traditional uniforms including a headband called a hachimaki, a double-breasted coat, an apron, and gloves. These uniforms represent pride, discipline, and honor in their cooking craft.


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Sam Walker

Sam Walker

Hey there, I'm Sam and I'm thrilled to share my passion for Japanese cuisine and cooking here at Hibachi Foods. Our chefs expertly grill up hibachi favorites like fried rice and noodles right at your table. We also serve fresh, hand-rolled sushi every day. Beyond the restaurant, I share quick and easy recipes to help you cook delicious Japanese food at home using everyday ingredients. With my tips, anyone can cook flavorful teppanyaki and sushi - no fancy skills needed!

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