Japanese cuisine is a wonderful amalgamation of distinct aesthetics, explosions of flavours, and traditional techniques melding in harmony with contemporary cooking methods.
There are many popular and famous types of Japanese foods loved by people around the world. From ocean-fresh sashimi to carefully bred and sliced wagyu, Japanese cuisine is simply irresistible.
Japanese teppanyaki is one that many people may have heard about, but haven’t actually tried. Hidden amongst the crowds of Japanese BBQ restaurants and yakitori stalls, the smoky scent of Japanese teppanyaki is almost undeniable once you recognize it.
What is teppanyaki?
Japanese teppanyaki is a style of Japanese iron-griddle cooking. When you dine at a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, you will actually be seated in front of skillful chefs who will cook the dishes right in front of you, complete with highly entertaining styles of food preparation, grilling, and serving.
You can dine on a fine selection of ingredients when you’re at a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, with most people opting for opulent choices including wagyu beef and fresh seafood such as lobster.
There are many restaurants in Tokyo that offer teppanyaki-style dining. Why not treat yourself to a delicious teppanyaki dish for a special occasion, or even simply because you’re in Japan?
The 10 Best Teppanyaki Restaurants in Tokyo
We’ve listed the top 10 finest quality teppanyaki restaurants in Tokyo below. Let’s have a look and possibly book before you go!
- Yamanami Teppanyaki
- Katsura Teppanyaki
- Ginkuma Saryo
- Hakushu
- Nikuya Tanaka Ginza
- Kisentei
- Misono Shinjuku
- Yasaiya
- Teppanyaki Shiroya Ginzatei
- Ginza Ukaitei
1. Yamanami Teppanyaki
Located within the luxury Keio Plaza Tokyo, YAMANAMI Teppanyaki is about as five-star as it gets.
Led by the distinguished Master Chef Juniichi Hirano, the menu is a balance between a la carte items and a set menu. Using fresh seasonal ingredients alongside the most premium quality wagyu and seafood, this is one of the most opulent dining experiences you’ll ever have.
We recommend selecting the set menu because the chefs would have curated this menu to bring out most of the ingredients. You’ll be seated by a waitress in a kimono and be introduced to your personal chef. From there, watch the magic happen as they carefully and skilfully prepare every dish right in front of your eyes.
Address: Yamanami Teppanyaki
2. Katsura Teppanyaki
Katsura Teppanyaki is one of the most extravagant dining experiences you can book in Tokyo.
Not only does it offer the highest quality ingredients prepared by expert Japanese teppanyaki chefs – you’ll get to witness breathtaking views of the Tokyo Skyline whilst you’re at it too.
The teppanyaki dinner is most definitely the highlight of this experience; however, by no means is it the only part of this experience! In addition, there is a 30-minute pre-dinner dinner welcome in Stellar Garden, where you can take in Tokyo’s views whilst sipping a complimentary glass of champagne.
During dinner, you’ll be seated at a wrap-around dining table, allowing every individual to view the entire teppanyaki experience up close. The chefs here will certainly wow you with some incredible entertainment cooking techniques for the entire course.
3. Ginkuma Saryo
Located in the exclusive Ginza district, Ginkuma Saryo is a warm and cozy Japanese teppanyaki restaurant that doesn’t skimp on aesthetics, ambiance, or premium ingredients.
Dine on mouth-watering rare cuts of Kuroge Wagyu, A5-rank Sendai beef steak, and beautifully prepared seasonal ingredients in one of the finest dining experiences across Tokyo. To elevate your eating experience even more, pair your food with the recommended shochu or sake.
Address: Ginkuma Saryo
4. Hakushu
In 2016, this very own Hakushu won the prestigious award for the “Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Japan”! That’s no small feat, considering Japan is Asia’s mecca for premium dining.
This extraordinarily popular teppanyaki restaurant is a hit amongst locals and visitors, with reservations highly recommended if you want to secure a spot.
It is wonderfully family-owned, and its warm hospitality shines through the impeccable service and well-thought-out menu. Only the finest Kobe beef and the freshest seasonal ingredients to accompany the main dishes are used.
What’s pleasantly surprising is that, although it is easily in the top ranking of fine dining restaurants in Tokyo, it’s also quite reasonably priced.
Address: Hakushu
5. Nikuya Tanaka Ginza
Nikuya Tanaka Ginza is definitely one of the best teppanyaki restaurants in Tokyo!
Chef Satoru Tanaka is famous for being a revered expert in the meat scene in Tokyo, so it’s no wonder his very own restaurant, Nikuya Tanaka Ginza, is so highly sought after!
Satoru boasts a long line of successful restaurants across Japan, and Nikuya Tanaka Ginza is no different.
Experience some of the most exclusive cuts of wagyu, including Kobe beef and Matsusaka beef. You may select from a range of menus, but the recommended set menu would be the Matsusaka Beef 12-Piece Chef’s Course. All dishes included in this menu are the creme-de-la-creme of Japanese cuisine – all prepared by an expert right in front of your face.
Address: Nikuya Tanaka Ginza
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6. Kisentei
Kisentei is the sister teppanyaki restaurant of the popular sukiyaki restaurant Imahan, which has been around for more than a century. Because of this, you just know that they don’t mess around when it comes to the finest quality beef cuts!
Located in the trendy suburb of Roppongi, Kisentei is a quality restaurant serving classic Japanese teppanyaki-style dishes in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The venue is absolutely stunning, offering breathtaking views of the city at night when the skyline is awash with lights.
As far as dinner date options go, this has got to be one of the top options!
Address: Kisentei
If you want to enjoy luxury Japanese beef, make sure you also read our selection of the best Wagyu restaurants in Tokyo!
7. Misono Shinjuku
Not many Tokyo teppanyaki restaurants can say they span decades of experience creating magic in front of people’s eyes, but Misono can.
This leading teppanyaki restaurant first opened its doors in 1945 in Kobe. Since then, they’ve opened more branches around Japan, including this well-respected one in the heart of Shinjuku.
Misono serves up delicious premium wagyu meat cuts from A4 and A5 rank Kobe beef. On top of the amazing quality ingredients, another winning factor of this restaurant is that the patrons are seated facing a huge glass window.
Not only do you get to experience professional chefs preparing your meals in front of your eyes, but you’ll also get a spectacular view of Shinjuku whilst you’re at it.
Address: Misono Shinjuku
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8. Yasaiya
Yaisaiya translates to ‘restaurant that specialises in vegetables’, and you can bet big bucks that this place dominates the scene when it comes to serving up the freshest, highest quality ingredients across Tokyo.
Yaisaiya boasts a stunning menu, with dishes that highlight the current seasonal favourites as well as premium quality meats such as beef and pork.
One of the reasons why it’s so popular is because it also offers a vegetarian–friendly teppanyaki menu, something that is lacking in the Tokyo teppanyaki scene. However, the lack of meat definitely doesn’t compromise its flavour – it’s still absolutely delicious!
Address: Yasaiya Teppanyaki Vegetables Akasaka
9. Teppanyaki Shiroya Ginzatei
For a truly authentic teppanyaki experience, book a dining session at Teppanyaki Shiroya Ginzatei. This restaurant has built up a reputation of serving only the best quality ingredients, and this is because they have long-standing relationships with trusted farmers who have been producing high-standard Kobe beef for a long time now.
Teppanyaki Shiroya Ginzatei also offers fantastic wine pairings that match perfectly with each of the teppanyaki dishes, all of which have been curated from around the world.
Address: Teppanyaki Shiroya Ginzatei
10. Ginza Ukaitei
We’ve seemingly saved the best for last, with Ginza Ukaitei commanding a prestigious reputation of being one of the most luxurious restaurants in all of Tokyo.
Renowned professional chefs will mesmerise you as they serve up classic teppanyaki dishes but with a little French twist. Only the finest quality ingredients are used, including top-grade Japanese wagyu beef and the freshest seafood.
With Japanese elements at its core combined with stunning European aesthetic influences, this teppanyaki restaurant leaves little to be desired for those looking for a memorable top-notch dining experience.
Address: Ginza Ukaitei
We hope this impressive list of the 10 best teppanyaki restaurants in Tokyo has managed to sway you guys to get busy making some reservations!
Japanese teppanyaki is not only about incredibly flavorsome and quality food, it’s also about the exciting and memorable experience of being able to witness skilled chefs prepare and cook everything right in front of your eyes.
Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply because you want to spoilt yourself, we recommend you book in a session, stat, because these restaurants often get booked out in advance.
For more restaurants recommendations, feel free to also read our posts about the best ramen restaurants in Tokyo and the best Korean restaurants in Shin Okubo!