The Teppanyaki Experience

In Japanese, teppan means an iron plate or a steel sheet, and yaki, stir-fried food or stir-frying. The whole experience of eating teppanyaki, however, proves this word is far more than the sum of its parts. Teppanyaki is stir-fried meat and vegetables cooked and eaten off a large, table-top grill. It is a mouth-watering form of cuisine which continues to increase in popularity as adaptations are made to suit local taste preferences.

Teppans are made of stainless steel of varying shape and size. A large teppan, including the surrounding counter from which diners eat, can seat as many as 14 people, allowing just enough elbowroom for diners to sit comfortably while watching the chef prepare their meal on the grill in front of them.

Teppanyaki chefs, even more than bartenders, have ample opportunity to demonstrate their skill. The flashing tools of their trade are a knife, a fork, and two metal spatulas. In spectacular displays of dexterity, chefs cut, stir, season, and divide each diner's portion onto plates on the teppan. As the food is prepared on the same surface that keeps it warm, meals are served as soon as they are ready. Teppanyaki has to be eaten leisurely. The chef only works on one course at a time; there is no rushing him. Watching the chef adroitly wield cooking tools over the shining teppan is fully part of the meal. While veteran teppanyaki-diners drink, eat, or converse while admiring the chef's expertise, first-timers may have difficulty taking their eyes off the performance in front of them.

 

Watching the chef prepare teppanyaki is an important part of the meal. The diners' plates rest on the hot teppan, assuring their food will not get cold.

Teppanyaki differs from traditional Japanese cuisine in many ways. With teppanyaki, the salad  is served first, followed by  the main course, vegetables, fruit, and dessert. Main courses usually consist of beef, lamb, chicken, and seafood. Salad, and dessert are usually Western-style. Unlike its Western counterpart, the salad is rather small and the dressing usually sweet or sour.

There are clear advantages in going out for a teppanyaki meal. When ordering teppanyaki, the diners can tell the chef exactly how they want each dish prepared. Health-conscious customers can determine the variety and amount of seasoning and oil they want in each dish. With the chef working right in front of you, it is easy to make sure he follows instructions. In some restaurants diners can even select their own chef. The quality of teppanyaki ingredients also make it a healthy choice compared to other barbecue-type cuisines.

Originating in Japan, teppanyaki is a combination of Eastern meticulousness and Western finesse, Eastern flavors and Western side dishes. In Nigeria, only one restaurant serves attest to teppanyaki's rising popularity. Its taste continues to improve as more variations are devised to suit local and international tastes. Visitors to Bunyaki's should take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the entertainment and unforgettable dining experience of an evening of teppanyaki.