If you've ever booked a "hibachi dinner" and watched a chef cook on a big flat grill in front of you, you've technically experienced teppanyaki — not hibachi. The two words get used interchangeably in the U.S., but they describe different cooking methods. Here's the actual difference, and what it means for your meal at Wakatobi.

What Hibachi Actually Means

In Japan, "hibachi" (火鉢) refers to a small, open-topped charcoal grill traditionally used for direct-heat grilling — skewers, small cuts of meat, that kind of cooking. It's a heat source, not a show.

What Teppanyaki Actually Means

"Teppanyaki" (鉄板焼き) literally means "grilled on an iron plate." This is the flat, solid griddle you're picturing — the one where a chef slices, tosses, and flips ingredients in front of guests, often with tricks like the onion volcano or a shrimp toss. In Japan, this style is called teppanyaki restaurants, not hibachi restaurants.

So Why Does Everyone Call It "Hibachi" in the U.S.?

When teppanyaki-style restaurants became popular in the United States starting in the 1960s, the name "hibachi" caught on with American diners and stuck — even though the cooking style is technically teppanyaki. Today, in the U.S., "hibachi" and "hibachi grill" almost always refer to the tableside teppanyaki experience: a chef cooking steak, chicken, shrimp, and vegetables on a flat grill in front of you.

What to Expect at Wakatobi's Hibachi Grill

When you order hibachi at Wakatobi, you're getting the teppanyaki-style experience: fresh proteins and vegetables cooked to order on a flat-top grill, plated with soup, salad, and rice. Our combos, like the Wakatobi Newark and Wakatobi Seaside platters, are built around that same cooking method — just with different combinations of steak, chicken, shrimp, and scallops. Every dish is prepared to Halal standards, regardless of which combo you choose.

Hibachi vs. Sushi: Which Should You Order?

They're not competing options — many guests order both. Hibachi is a hot, cooked meal built around one or two proteins, while sushi is a lighter, more varied way to sample multiple flavors in one sitting. If you're planning a group dinner or celebration, see our guide to hosting a hibachi birthday party for tips on ordering for a table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hibachi the same as teppanyaki?

Not technically — hibachi originally refers to a small charcoal grill, while teppanyaki refers to cooking on a flat iron griddle. In the U.S., "hibachi" is commonly used to describe what is really teppanyaki-style tableside cooking, and that's the experience most American hibachi restaurants, including Wakatobi, serve.

Does Wakatobi do the onion volcano trick?

Yes — our hibachi chefs cook tableside and include the classic showmanship guests expect, including the onion volcano, as part of the hibachi dinner experience.

Is hibachi healthier than fried food?

Hibachi proteins and vegetables are grilled rather than deep-fried, which generally makes it a leaner option than fried dishes, though portion size and added sauces or fried rice can affect that.

Experience Hibachi at Wakatobi

Ready to see it in person? View our hibachi menu or order online from Newark or Seaside.