Teppanyaki Table | A Brief History Of Teppanyaki Japanese Cuisine

Most Westerners may be surprised to find that compared with other styles of Japanese cuisine, the art of Japanese teppanyaki table cooking is actually much younger than they thought.

The roots of this cooking style can be traced back to 200 years ago, when the first restaurant (Misono) opened in 1945, almost 80 years ago.

It may also be surprising to learn that it is not considered authentic Japanese cuisine and is not so popular with Japanese people.

In fact, this style of Japanese cuisine actually grew up from the influence of the West on the Eastern world.

What exactly is teppanyaki? What are the main characteristics of these dishes?

• Teppan means "iron plate", and "yaki" means grill. Therefore, Teppanyaki means that food is grilled on a flat iron plate.

• Traditionally, Japanese cuisine is cooked on an open fire grill.

• Authentic Japanese cuisine emphasizes the natural flavor of a raw material, and teppanyaki is not opposed to seasoning food to satisfy Western tastes.

• This flat teppanyaki plate can be compared with Mongolian cuisine.

• Teppanyaki allows chefs to cook food in front of customers.

• Like many other types of Japanese yakiniku, food is shared and enjoyed just like cooking and flavor.

• The cooking style allows cooking smaller ingredients, including all food categories such as meat, seafood and vegetables.

• Although this dish has an oriental flavor, the dishes are mainly made for Western flavors.

• Teppanyaki is really a form of art and entertainment. It has become more like cooking food than real food.

1. The First Teppanyaki Table Restaurant

Misono is the first teppanyaki restaurant in Kobe, Japan, and it opened after the end of the Second World War in 1945.

This chain store is mainly popular with expats and tourists. When people pay more attention to the entertainment value of cooking style, this chain store has gained greater popularity.

Chefs will throw food into the air, grasp the food skillfully, or let the food fall on the baking tray, or grab it from the air with their mouths.

Fire and fire are also mainly used for entertainment, rather than adding flavor or improving the cooking skills of grilled food.

2. The First Western Teppanyaki Table Restaurant

Benihana is the first Teppanyaki restaurant chain opened in the United States in 1964.

It quickly became popular among Americans, and other Japanese restaurants began to introduce this type of cuisine, and new teppanyaki restaurants began to appear everywhere.

This was a very popular trend at the time, and restaurants were often called Japanese steakhouses.

The rise in popularity again is mainly due to entertainment, not real food. Not everyone likes oriental flavors.

3. The Evolution Of Teppanyaki

For decades, teppanyaki has been constantly evolving, focusing more and more on the art of cooking style rather than real food.

However, compared to the past, the taste is now more strongly influenced by the West, especially in restaurants located in the Western world.

Over the years, people have paid more attention to the art of teppanyaki, and now chefs have been taught the know-how and magic of this industry to provide as much entertainment value as possible.

Today, teppanyaki restaurants are spread all over the world, and recently they have become more popular in the Western world.

Teppanyaki is a perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cooking styles and flavors.

The joy of teppanyaki cooking food in front of customers in an entertaining and awe-inspiring way ensures that teppanyaki will continue to be popular.