Hibachi Grill | What is Hibachi? How to Cook Hibachi?
Unlike teppanyaki, hibachi is not new to the culinary world. Instead, hibachi is believed to have existed for hundreds of years, with its origins dating back to ancient Japan.
Hibachi grills are simple to make, mainly because hibachi grills require little skill to operate.
Who Invented Hibachi?
When the Japanese started using metal cookware, hibachi first came to the scene.
There are also indications that it was invented much earlier, during the Heian period from about AD 79 to 1185, when the first grills were made of clay lined with cypress trees.
Because of its simplicity, hibachi became one of the first contributions to the Japanese culinary scene. Over time, hibachi has been fused with the rich Japanese culture to form a cuisine that is still popular today.
How to cook Hibachi?
Hibachi involves grilling meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes on a hot cooking surface that sits on top of a ceramic or wooden bowl filled with burning charcoal.
Although any kind of charcoal will suffice, the Binchotan type of charcoal is popular because it imparts a distinct flavor and smoke to food.
One of the main attractions of hibachi is the intimate dining setting. Whether you're friends or strangers, all guests sit around the hot grill and enjoy the same dining experience together.
When you sit down to a Japanese dinner, you're sure to have a blast.
Hibachi in History
The ancient hibachi grill is still there today, and its exquisite craftsmanship and design are still confusing.
Historically, hibachi was primarily used to heat homes. Hibachi has become more and more useful over time.
During the World Wars, hibachis were used by armies to cook food on the battlefield.
In fact, until World War II, the hibachi was the most commonly used cooking tool in Japan. In public places such as train stations, bus stops, and hospital waiting rooms, it is common to see a hibachi grill restaurant.
Hibachi Grilling Skills at Home
Like teppanyaki, hibachi is easy to make at home. The main reason for this is that hibachi doesn't include all the fancy moves that Teppanyaki needs.
The main things you'll need are a hibachi "fire bowl" and some charcoal. I'd love to try this more traditional way of cooking in the near future to get a general feel for Japanese cooking.
You can also use this desktop version if you want something more portable for cooking at home.
For starters, I recommend a simple vegetable or steak as a first course.
Usually, people use a special sauce called "hibachi sauce" when preparing Japanese food on the hibachi. If you can make this sauce, your food will be delicious!
