The Absolute Best Hibachi Restaurants In The US

A hibachi experience usually involves a whirling production of flying eggs, spinning spatulas, and a stacked onion spewing fire. Those gathered around the cooking spectacle typically are there to celebrate some sort of achievement or holiday gathering. In the United States, hibachi food is typically served in what is called teppanyaki-style — the chef comes out to the table to cook in front of the customers. It's food with entertainment. While the union of huge portions of food set to performative rigmarole seems conspicuously All-American, the history of the teppanyaki restaurant cooking really does begin in Japan.

According to Kobe Jones, the first restaurant to entertain diners by cooking over a large hot plate was Misono, which opened in Kobe in 1945. While most popular with foreigners who loved the skilled maneuvers of this style of cooking, Misono became a beloved destination whose model was soon brought over to America. In 1964, Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki opened his first restaurant on West 56th Street in New York City with the teppanyaki style of cooking on display.  That spot, Benihana, became a massive sensation and kicked off a worldwide trend

While many teppanyaki-style restaurants are still drawing crowds for their over-the-top theatrics, some offer a more refined night out, while others provide a fast-casual dining experience. So, for those looking to get their grill on, check out some of the best hibachi restaurants in the U.S.

For those craving the flash-grilled stir fry of hibachi but without the ceremony and celebration the grill table requires, this bright corner eatery offers the perfect solution. Ironsteak, located in Seattle's Chinatown, forgoes the traditional Japanese steakhouse model and takes a more casual, modern, and DIY approach.

Diners order their meals at the front register before finding a seat. Popular options are the ribeye steak served with buttery corn and rice or a surf and turf combo featuring New York strip and salmon. Once the cooks prepare the ingredients the hibachi arrives on a hot skillet that you actually use to cook yourself. Patrons can make their own flavor profiles by adding one of Ironsteak's signature sauces — either Yuzu Garlic Soy, House Chili Sauce, or Pineapple Teriyaki — to simmer their own steakhouse creation.

If you want to celebrate (just a little), opt to end the meal with a slice of Nutella cheesecake for a sweet finish to a memorable teppanyaki experience that doesn't require a party. 

New Orleans is home to plenty of top notch restaurants. But when it comes to Japanese steakhouses, Shogun in Metairie can't be beat. Luckily for those in the area, this authentic teppanyaki grill holds its own against the culinary competition of The Big Easy.

Voted one of the best Japanese restaurants in New Orleans by Gambit and highlighted as a local favorite in My New Orleans (Union Ramen chef Nate Nguyen calls it "legit"), Shogun offers a beloved reprieve for many looking to get out of the busy streets of the French Quarter.

With an enormous menu and fresh, quality fish, Shogun was actually the first place to serve sushi in the area (via Nomenu). But a visit to the restaurant isn't complete without an item off the grill. In fact, according to Nomenu, Shogun purchased its teppanyaki tables from a former Benihana location in the French Quarter. Featuring a large dining room and beautiful multi-course dinner at the teppanyaki table, Shogun makes our list of one the best Japanese steakhouses in America.

Any list would be remiss to not include the chain that put Japanese steakhouses on the map in the U.S., Benihana. And, for a truly vanguard steakhouse experience, head to the New York location where it all started. 

Opened in 1964, Benihana was designed to looked like an authentic Japanese farmhouse interior with grill tables that trained chefs used to cook right in front of customers. When iconic food critic Clementine Paddleford gave Benihana a rave review after one of these experiences, the restaurant became a sensation and its fame began to grow well beyond the Big Apple.

With a wide variety of grill combinations and signature sauces, Benihana maintains its reputation as one of the best teppanyaki experiences despite the chain's expansion all over the world. For those unable to make it to New York for hibachi and Benihana, there are thankfully dozens of other locations all over the United States.

A completely different spin on a traditional teppanyaki restaurant, Dokodemo takes the event gathering out of the formal hibachi experience and creates an efficient, counter-service business model. While better suited for smaller parties and people on the go, Dokodemo still serves up some delicious and authentic dishes that make for a must-stop while visiting New York.

Dokodemo brings "Japanese street food" to the city, featuring dishes like ramen rice, takoyaki, yakisoba, and fried rice. Patrons can customize their order at the front register and watch as the chefs prepare their food fresh on grill tops before handing it over and taking the next order. So, rather than sitting down as a party at a hibachi table, Dokodemo lets customer stand in line for a fast, made-to-order hibachi experience you might see on the streets of Tokyo.

Because of Dokodemo's variety of Japanese dishes, innovative model, and outstanding food, this fun, counter-service eatery makes the list of one of the best places in the United States to get hibachi. 

Since making a name for himself on the hit series "Iron Chef," Masaharu Morimoto has created a dining empire which includes a Las Vegas outlet of his celebrated restaurant Morimoto. Located in the MGM Grand, this exquisite contemporary Japanese sushi bar and steakhouse is sure to impress any teppanyaki veteran (via MGM Grand).

Featuring a clean, modern Japanese interior design and art by famed photographer Yasumichi Morita, Morimoto features wraparound teppanyaki tables, which host three grill tops and 12 seats. Here, customers won't get much of the showmanship of a traditional teppan table, but instead, the focus is on high quality food, top notch cuts of meat (like premium Japanese Wagyu), and creative flavor profiles (via Review Journals).

Morimoto Las Vegas is the chef's first attempt at a teppanyaki-style restaurant, yet he makes it his own by trying new things and bringing his signature creativity to the table (via USA Today).

Fire & Ice is unlike any hibachi restaurant you'll ever experience. Located in the heart of Heavenly Village in gorgeous Lake Tahoe, California, their teppanyaki grill fires up more than traditional steak fried rice combos. For those coming off the slopes, Fire & Ice offers three enormous outdoor fire pits to warm up next to with a cocktail in hand. Afterwards, patrons head to the buffet and a fill bowl with anything and everything their heart's desire, from pasta to stir-fry vegetables to meats, plus an assortment of sauces to douse their creations. Next, Fire & Ice's chefs will cook their meals on a giant flattop grill as diners take in the show.

While a far cry from the traditional Japanese steakhouse, Fire & Ice makes for a fun, fantastic meal you won't find anywhere else. A variety of Japanese, American, Latin, and Italian flavors keep options limitless, and after a day on the slopes, your food will taste that much better.