Hibachi
Hibachi is a Japanese-style of charcoal grill. Hibachi cuisine is a type of Japanese cooking that typically involves grilled meat, fish, or vegetables on an open fire. In America, however, the term Hibachi is sometimes used to describe a specific type of Japanese restaurant.
When you go to a Hibachi restaurant, you may be seated around a grill with other customers facing a chef who prepares your food in front of you. The chef may perform tricks with the food and utensils, like tossing shrimp up in the air and catching it in his hat. They may also squirt sake into your mouth from a distance. The meal is served with a mix of grilled meats and vegetables on a large plate.
Many people believe that Hibachi is teppanyaki, but the two are entirely different. The term “hibachi” refers to a type of barbecue grill that’s used to cook food, whereas “teppanyaki” refers to a style of cooking meat, fish, and vegetables on a flat, iron griddle.
Teppanyaki
Teppanyaki is a type of Japanese cuisine where the chef cooks food on a flat, iron griddle. In Japanese, the word “teppan” means iron plate, and “yaki” means grilled or fried. The chef usually uses a spatula, flipping and mixing the ingredients as they cook.
Teppanyaki restaurants are often set up like Hibachi restaurants with a large, flat cooking surface. However, unlike Hibachi, where the customers sit around a grill, customers at Teppanyaki restaurants sit in front of the chef at a counter while they cook their meal. The chef will perform tricks and juggling of knives and spatulas while preparing your meal.
Teppanyaki is often served with rice and miso soup. Unlike Hibachi dishes, Teppanyaki meals are cooked on a flat iron griddle, and customers can choose from an array of meat, fish, and vegetables.
Yakiniku
Yakiniku is another type of Japanese cooking style typically done in Japan during barbecues or communal cookouts. The word “yakiniku” means “grilled meat.” Yakiniku is a smokier style of cooking as meat is cooked on a tabletop charcoal grill. Customers may cook their meat at the table as the grill is built into the tabletop. This type of cooking style is a more casual setting than the Teppanyaki and Hibachi style of restaurants.
Meat is marinated and served in small portions, allowing customers to taste a variety of meats and cuts. In addition to meats, vegetables, noodles, and seafood can also be cooked on the table side grill, similar to Hibachi. Yakiniku can be compared to a Korean BBQ although the flavor and seasoning are a little different.
Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is a Japanese noodle stew that’s cooked in a hot pot with a sweet and salty broth and a variety of vegetables, noodles, and meat. The ingredients are usually cooked at the table, making it a family-style dining experience.
Sukiyaki is usually eaten during the winter months as it is a hot, comfort food. The meat is thinly sliced, and it’s common to use beef in the broth. Other items such as mushrooms, tofu, and scallions are typically added to this dish. The broth itself is usually made of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. In many traditional Japanese homes and restaurants, the hot pots used for Sukiyaki are made of high-quality cast iron, adding to the flavor of the ingredients.
Tempura
Tempura is a Japanese dish where thin, crispy batter is used to cover various seafood and vegetables before frying in hot oil. Usually, the chef will dip the seafood or vegetables in a batter made from flour, egg, and cold water before frying until golden brown. The dish is served with a soy-based dipping sauce made with dashi, soy sauce, and usually a little ginger.
Tempura is delicious and popular throughout Japan and the US. In the US, many Asian restaurants and Japanese-style restaurants will have tempura on their menus. Tempura is a less-interactive Japanese cooking style paired with sauces, which can be eaten alone or accompanied by rice or noodles dishes.
Conclusion
As you can see, Japanese cuisine is varied and offers a unique dining experience with delightful flavors and techniques. Understanding the differences between Hibachi, Teppanyaki, Yakiniku, Sukiyaki, and Tempura will help you appreciate the various Japanese cooking styles and make informed decisions when you visit a Japanese-style restaurant. Find extra details about the topic in this external resource we’ve specially prepared for you. hibachi2u, obtain worthwhile and supplementary details to enhance your comprehension of the topic.
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