By Kate Cohen

What is Teppanyaki?

Teppanyaki dining has reimagined the typical restaurant experience.

It combines tableside grilling with entertainment, spectacle, and interactivity for a meal that is enjoyable for the eyes and the tastebuds.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term “teppanyaki”, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to explore this exciting dining experience and invite you to give it a try when you come to Shogun Japanese Steakhouse.

What is Teppanyaki?

Teppanyaki is a combination of the Japanese words “teppan,” meaning metal plate, and “yaki,” which means grilled. Put together, teppanyaki translates to “grilled on a metal plate.”

Teppanyaki is a style of cooking using a flat iron plate as a grill. Usually, the large grill is surrounded by a table and chairs where diners can get a front row seat to an interactive and performative cooking experience.

When you dine at a teppanyaki restaurant, you’ll be wowed by your personal teppanyaki chef’s skill as they use knives, fire, and other tools to put on a show for their guests. The result is hot, flavorful food straight from the teppanyaki grill that can satisfy even the biggest appetites.

The History of Teppanyaki

The culture of modern Japanese steakhouses was inspired by traditional teppanyaki-style cooking.

In the 1940s, a restaurant called Misono opened in Kobe, Japan. Its innovative tableside cooking, skillful artistry of its chefs, and interactive nature soon attracted tourists from all over the world.

It wasn’t long before the concept was brought back to the United States. In the early 1960s, the first teppanyaki restaurant opened in New York City, impressing American diners with its theatrical concepts.

Soon, teppanyaki restaurants were popping up all over the country. This style of dining was coined as “Japanese steakhouses,” making the concept easier to understand for Americans unfamiliar with the term.

Today, teppanyaki restaurants are a popular fusion of Japanese and American cultures. It’s the perfect place for celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a date night, or making new memories with the whole family.

Teppanyaki vs. Hibachi

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Isn’t this actually hibachi?” you’re not alone. The terms “teppanyaki” and “hibachi” have become somewhat synonymous, although the two are actually different.

In Japanese, hibachi translates to “fire bowl.” Traditionally, hibachi grills were portable, made of clay, and used charcoal or wood as a heat source. Today, hibachi grills are small and typically made of metal and are often built into tables or booths at restaurants.

While teppanyaki and hibachi are relatively similar as far as cooking styles, the popular restaurant experience that is commonly associated with the term “hibachi” is actually teppanyaki.

At Shogun, teppanyaki is our specialty, and we love impressing guests with our masterful teppanyaki chefs, delicious food straight from the teppanyaki grill, and a full bar of specialty cocktails and drinks.

Teppanyaki Ingredients

There are several ingredients you’ll commonly find on an American teppanyaki menu.

You’ll often see teppanyaki chefs working with fried rice and a variety of chopped fresh vegetables like zucchini and onions.

The teppanyaki grill is perfect for cooking a variety of meats like chicken and cuts of steak like filet mignon and New York strip. It’s also ideal for seafood like tender shrimp, salmon, scallops, and even juicy lobster tails.

At Shogun, you’ll find all of these options – and more – on our teppanyaki menu.

Shogun Japanese Steakhouse

If you came here thinking, “What is teppanyaki?” the true answer is, the best way to understand it is to experience it for yourself.

At Shogun Japanese Steakhouse, you’ll find a menu full of delicious teppanyaki options, an extensive sushi menu, fun cocktails, and a variety of tasty appetizers. Oh, and don’t forget dessert!

Whether you’re celebrating something special or looking for an exciting new way to dine, Shogun is the perfect spot for a dining experience that’s fun, interactive, and ultimately delicious.

You’ll walk out of our restaurant with the perfect answer to the question, “What is teppanyaki?”