Most Westerners may be surprised to find out that the art of Japanese style Teppanyaki cooking is actually much younger than they think when compared to other styles of Japanese cuisine. 

The roots of the cooking style can be found as early as 200 years ago and the first restaurant (Misono) opened in 1945, almost 80 years ago. 

It may also be surprising to learn that it is not considered an authentic Japanese cuisine and is not that popular among the Japanese population.

The fact is that this style of Japanese cuisine has actually grown out of Western influences on the Eastern World.

What exactly is Teppanyaki and what are the main features of the dishes?

• Teppan means “iron plate” and “yaki” means grill. Teppanyaki therefore means food that is grilled on a flat iron plate.
• Traditionally, Japanese cuisine is cooked over an open flame grill.
• Authentic Japanese cuisine places great emphasis on the natural flavour of an ingredient whereas Teppanyaki is not opposed to flavouring food to meet the tastes of the Western palate.
• The flat iron plate is comparable to that used in Mongolian cuisine.
• Teppanyaki allows the chef to cook the food right in front of their customers.
• Like many other types of Japanese grilling, the food is about sharing and enjoyment as much as about cooking and flavour.
• The cooking style allows for cooking of smaller ingredients and includes all food groups such as meat, seafood and vegetables.
• Although the cuisine has Eastern flavours, the dishes are mainly created for the Western Palate.
• Teppanyaki really is a form of art and entertainment and has become much more about how the food is cooked rather than the actual food.

1. The First Teppanyaki Restaurant

Misono was the first chain of Teppanyaki restaurants in Kobe, Japan and opened its doors in 1945, just after the end of World War II. 

The chain was mainly popular among expats and tourists and gained greater popularity when more emphasis was placed on the entertainment value of the cooking style. 

Chefs would throw food up in the air, expertly catching it or allowing it to land on the grill plate or snatching out of the air with their mouths. 

Fire and flames are also used mainly to entertain rather than to add flavour or enhance the cooking technique of the grilled food.

2. The First Western Teppanyaki Restaurants

Benihana was the first chain of Teppanyaki restaurants to open in the USA in 1964. 

It quickly gained popularity among the US population and other Japanese restaurants started introducing the cuisine and new Teppanyaki restaurants started appearing everywhere. 

It was a very popular trend at the time and the restaurants were generally referred to as Japanese Steakhouses. 

The rise in popularity was once again mainly due to the entertainment rather than the actual cuisine. The Eastern flavours were not to everyone’s taste.

3. Evolution Of Teppanyaki

Teppanyaki has continued to evolve over the decades with greater emphasis placed on the art of the cooking style rather than the actual food. 

However, stronger Western influences are now present in the flavours compared to before, especially in restaurants located in the Western World. 

Even greater emphasis has been placed on the art of Teppanyaki over the years and chefs are now taught the tricks and magic of the trade to provide as much entertainment value as possible. 

Today, Teppanyaki restaurants are found throughout the world and have recently become even more popular in the Western World.

Teppanyaki can be called the perfect fusion between Western and Eastern cooking styles and flavours. 

The enjoyment of seeing food cooked right before a customer in a way that entertains and inspires awe has ensured that Teppanyaki will continue to grow in popularity.

If you are in Melbourne and want to enjoy an authentic Japanese culinary experience, you simply can’t go past Kobe Teppanyaki in Doncaster East.

For reservations please call us today on 03 9841 9889 or visit here https://www.kobeteppanyaki.com.au/booking for bookings and enquiries.