Update-date: Mar 28 2024
Teppanyaki (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle) is a food in Japan that boasts a reputation for being rather expensive. But in other Asian countries, you can find street stalls offering affordable meat and seafood dishes grilled on an iron griddle. Here's a rundown on why teppanyaki is considered a luxury dish in Japan and where to find some of the best teppanyaki restaurants in the country.
What Makes Teppanyaki So Upscale in Japan?
Numerous upscale hotels in Japan boast restaurants that offer teppanyaki. That's how much the dish is seen as a high-end type of cuisine in Japan. However, doesn't grilling food on an iron griddle appear simple and fast? In reality, there are plenty of affordable teppanyaki dishes available in Japan and other Asian countries.
Why, then, is Japanese teppanyaki a luxury cuisine? The reason lies in the ingredients used in Japanese teppanyaki and the entertaining cooking method.
The Advantages of Using an Iron Griddle and the Ingredients Used in Teppanyaki
At renowned teppanyaki restaurants in Japan, the main dishes are made with high-end ingredients such as brand-name wagyu (a type of high-quality beef), Japanese spiny lobster, and abalone. Naturally, prices are higher due to the costly ingredients.
However, the allure of teppanyaki lies not just in its expense, but also in its delicious taste. Iron griddles evenly distribute heat to the food and seal in the food's umami (Japanese savory taste). In other words, it's an ideal cooking method that brings out the full flavor of the ingredients and gives them a gorgeous sear.
However, the allure of teppanyaki lies not just in its expense, but also in its delicious taste. Iron griddles evenly distribute heat to the food and seal in the food's umami (Japanese savory taste). In other words, it's an ideal cooking method that brings out the full flavor of the ingredients and gives them a gorgeous sear.
Many people yearn to savor wagyu beef in a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant. While there are several types of wagyu beef, each with its own delicious flavor, Kobe beef is highly recommended for its exceptional quality. Kobe beef is the name given only to the highest-quality meat that comes from Tajima cattle, said to be the original Japanese wagyu cattle.
Originally in Japan, cattle were raised for farming rather than for food. However, a change occurred in the late 19th century due to Western influence, and the culture of consuming beef spread. Concurrently, the breeding of cattle began, whereby small Japanese cattle were crossbred with larger foreign breeds. However, the cattle resulting from this breeding process had a rough temperament, did not comply with agricultural practices, were susceptible to disease, and yielded poor-quality meat. Following World War II, there was a national effort to revive the original delicious wagyu beef, but pure-blooded Japanese Black cattle were nowhere to be found.
On the brink of extinction, four purebred Tajima cattle were discovered deep in the mountains of Hyogo Prefecture. They had escaped hybridization, having been raised in a mountain village 700 meters above sea level and far from other villages. One of the four cows became an excellent sire, and it is said that 99% of today's Japanese Black cattle possess this cow's genes.
Originally in Japan, cattle were raised for farming rather than for food. However, a change occurred in the late 19th century due to Western influence, and the culture of consuming beef spread. Concurrently, the breeding of cattle began, whereby small Japanese cattle were crossbred with larger foreign breeds. However, the cattle resulting from this breeding process had a rough temperament, did not comply with agricultural practices, were susceptible to disease, and yielded poor-quality meat. Following World War II, there was a national effort to revive the original delicious wagyu beef, but pure-blooded Japanese Black cattle were nowhere to be found.
On the brink of extinction, four purebred Tajima cattle were discovered deep in the mountains of Hyogo Prefecture. They had escaped hybridization, having been raised in a mountain village 700 meters above sea level and far from other villages. One of the four cows became an excellent sire, and it is said that 99% of today's Japanese Black cattle possess this cow's genes.
Come and enjoy the delectable taste of Kobe beef, which miraculously survived extinction, and indulge in this unforgettable dining experience at a teppanyaki restaurant.
What Is the Price Range of Teppanyaki?
The price range for a dinner course at famous teppanyaki restaurants is typically between 20,000 and 30,000 JPY. These high-end restaurants can be found in large cities or attached to luxury hotels. The appeal of these establishments lies not only in the taste but also in the chef's live performance. You'll hear the sound of the food popping on the large, hot griddle, smell the fragrant aroma, and see the bright flames from the flambe. You'll be able to experience the process of food preparation with all five senses.
Although teppanyaki is typically considered high-class cuisine, there are also inexpensive teppan dishes for the general public in Japan. In particular, okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) is a popular dish among tourists visiting Japan! Cabbage, pork, and other ingredients are placed in a flour-based batter, grilled, and topped with a sweet and salty sauce. There are two types of okonomiyaki: Osaka-style, where the ingredients are mixed into the batter, and Hiroshima-style, where the ingredients are placed on a thin layer of cooked batter, followed by a layer of Chinese noodles. The price for this dish is around 1,000 JPY per serving, making it an easy and affordable option.
If you're planning a trip to Japan, why not try both high-end teppanyaki and the more inexpensive version of teppanyaki?
If you're planning a trip to Japan, why not try both high-end teppanyaki and the more inexpensive version of teppanyaki?
Restaurants Where You Can Eat Delicious Teppanyaki
Here are two recommended teppanyaki restaurants that you should not miss.
oh! My Steak (Shinsaibashi)
Located just a 4-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station in Osaka, oh! My Steak is a restaurant that serves A5 rank Kobe beef, the highest quality there is, as Steak Chateaubriand 180 g (28,200 JPY). Chateaubriand is the highest quality part in the center of the tenderloin. It's so rare that it is also known as the "phantom part" because only about 2 kg of it can be obtained from a single cow, but at oh! My Steak you can enjoy it as the restaurant purchases its cattle whole. Chateaubriand is a delicate meat that quickly releases its juices if it is overcooked, but the chefs at oh! My Steak cook it with just the right amount of heat so that you can relish the sweetness of its refined fat.
The restaurant has only 30 counter seats and features a modern interior with bright red walls. From the counter seats, you can enjoy the live performance of the chef cooking your meal on the large iron griddle up close.
oh! My Steak
Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 4:00 pm / Dinner 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: Proceed on Nagahori-dori from exit 4A of Shinsaibashi station. You will find it next to "Ichiran Ramen" in the basement of Miya Plaza
Address: B1F, Miya Plaza Shinsaibashi Bldg., 1-3-29, Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: Proceed on Nagahori-dori from exit 4A of Shinsaibashi station. You will find it next to "Ichiran Ramen" in the basement of Miya Plaza
Address: B1F, Miya Plaza Shinsaibashi Bldg., 1-3-29, Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Map
Kobe Rokkodo Gyunta (Nagoya)
If you're looking for delicious yet reasonably priced teppanyaki, Kobe Rokkodo Gyunta is the place to go. Just a 3-minute walk from Nagoya Station, this restaurant boasts a creative menu that pairs well with shochu and sake (both Japanese alcohols) from various regions of Japan.
The dish most recommended is the Gyunta Specialty Dish, Ikasujikon (979 JPY), made by stir-frying Japanese beef jaw meat, squid, and konjac (a food made by kneading konjac potato powder) with spicy miso.
The dish most recommended is the Gyunta Specialty Dish, Ikasujikon (979 JPY), made by stir-frying Japanese beef jaw meat, squid, and konjac (a food made by kneading konjac potato powder) with spicy miso.
Another must-try is their Okonomiyaki (1,100 JPY), which features stretchy dough and allows you to choose your favorite ingredient from chicken, pork, squid, or shrimp. Each table comes equipped with an iron griddle, so you can cook and share the freshly made okonomiyaki with your family and friends as if you were sitting around a dining table.
Kobe Rokkodo Gyunta
Open: 11：00 - 16：00（last order 15：30） / Dinner 16：00 - 23：00（last order 22：00）
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 1- 5 minutes walk from Nagoya Station on any line
Address: 3F, 3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 1- 5 minutes walk from Nagoya Station on any line
Address: 3F, 3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Map
Whether you're looking for high-end dining or more affordable options, teppanyaki restaurants offer a range of choices to suit your budget and preferences. Indulge in the finest Japanese ingredients with a cooking technique that highlights the unique qualities of the iron griddle. And don't forget to admire the skilled chefs as they dazzle you with their performances while preparing your meal. Teppanyaki dining is an experience you won't want to miss!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
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