Teppanyaki Griddles | Hibachi (Teppanyaki, Actually) Restaurant Experience

Hibachi is more than grilled fish and meat. In fact, it's a fun and exciting dining experience that everyone must try. I promise it will be educational, but also fun and, of course, delicious!

In the United States, hibachi cuisine is often associated with the teppanyaki griddles that are often integrated on the dining table.

A hibachi (real teppanyaki) restaurant table is like a community table, where friends, family and strangers all gather to eat together. All the diners gathered around the table, watching a master chef cook on these griddles, it was almost like a show. They offer an interactive and unique dining experience where you interact with the chefs as they cook for you.

In Japan, you can expect fellow diners to share their meals, toast them, and cheer them on as the head chef performs. The atmosphere is perfect for socializing and meeting new people in the restaurant. It's also a great way to try new foods!

Hibachi restaurant meals often start in a similar fashion. The chef begins by covering the griddle with oil in a squeeze bottle, then sets the entire griddle ablaze in one spectacular fire.

Once you see the flames, you know the meal has started. People usually marvel and vocalize their excitement.

Chefs maintain this dramatic style while cooking to keep diners interested.

The chef

A master chef is more than a skilled cook. They also manage the teppanyaki griddles of hibachi restaurants. These chefs are good at cooking and have enough charm to entertain them all day long.

Chefs know that serving great food is only half the job. If you enjoy putting your food and sake in your mouth or watching others try it, Ribach is the place to be. You can even see some food flying around the griddle!

The drinks

Hibachi is almost always accompanied by sake.

Sake, also known as Japanese rice wine or sake, is the national drink of Japan. It's made more like beer than wine. It usually comes in sake bottles and cups made of white ceramic, with an oriental twist.

Sake can be served chilled, warmed, or kept at room temperature. It all depends on what type of sake you're drinking and how expensive it is.

Decor

Hibachi restaurants often have a strong Japanese heritage. Traditional ornaments and colors work with the minimalist architecture but don't stand out.

You can expect very simple furniture and a dim lighting setup. Sophisticated lighting allows patrons to focus on their meal, their dining companions and the experience. In fact, the decor is not nearly as important as the food.

Many of these establishments offer hot towels heated through a towel steamer. Some restaurants serve Chinese spoons or pickles with various sauces to your table.

The food

Whether you like soy sauce, duck or Worcestershire sauce, there will be something to suit your palate. Yakiniku sauce is so common that you should only dunk it once if you share it with others.

Hibachi meals are usually made with white or fried rice. Instead of watching the rice cook in a commercial rice cooker, you can watch the chef prepare the rice on the teppanyaki grill.

Noodles and protein-rich dishes are next in the dining experience. Common choices include chicken, beef, pork, and fish. A serving of vegetables can add some nutrition to the meal.