Culture & Lifestyle • Food

Teppanyaki

Teppanyaki is a Japanese style of cooking that uses a flat iron griddle, called a teppan, to prepare food.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Teppanyaki is a Japanese style of cooking that uses a flat iron griddle, called a teppan, to prepare food. In Japan, the term refers broadly to dishes cooked on the griddle, while in other countries it often specifically describes restaurant-style cooking performed in front of diners.

Definition

Teppanyaki is a Japanese cooking style that uses a large flat iron griddle to cook food. English-language dictionaries define it as meat, fish, or vegetables cooked on a griddle, often built into or placed at the diner's table.

Etymology

The term comes from Japanese: teppan means iron plate, and yaki means grilled, broiled, or pan-fried. The name therefore refers directly to cooking on an iron surface.

Use in Japan

In Japan, teppanyaki can refer to food cooked on a teppan, including items such as steak, shrimp, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and monjayaki. The term is broader in Japan than in many English-speaking countries.

Restaurant style

Outside Japan, teppanyaki commonly refers to a dining format in which a chef cooks at a large griddle in front of customers. This presentation is often associated with live preparation and performance. In Canada, teppanyaki is common in Japanese and pan-Asian restaurants, where it is often presented as table-side or performance cooking.

Key facts

Teppanyaki is a post-World War II style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook food.
The word teppanyaki combines teppan, meaning iron plate, and yaki, meaning grilled, broiled, or pan-fried.
In Japan, the term can refer to a range of dishes cooked on a teppan, not only restaurant performances.
Outside Japan, teppanyaki often describes table-side cooking where chefs prepare food in front of diners.
Common ingredients include meat, seafood, fish, vegetables, and noodles.

🍁

Canadian context

Teppanyaki is common in Japanese and pan-Asian restaurants in Canada, where it is often presented as table-side or performance cooking.

Frequently asked questions

What is teppanyaki?

Teppanyaki is a Japanese cooking style that uses a flat iron griddle to prepare food such as meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles.

What does the word teppanyaki mean?

It comes from teppan, meaning iron plate, and yaki, meaning grilled, broiled, or pan-fried.

Is teppanyaki the same as hibachi?

Not exactly. Teppanyaki uses a flat iron griddle, while hibachi traditionally refers to a small open-grate grill.

What foods are commonly cooked teppanyaki-style?

Common foods include steak, shrimp, fish, vegetables, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and monjayaki.

Is teppanyaki a traditional Japanese cooking method?

Yes, but the modern restaurant style became prominent after World War II.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teppanyaki
Supports: Definition, Japanese usage, etymology, examples of dishes, post-World War II development
Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teppanyaki
Supports: English definition of teppanyaki as meat, fish, or vegetables cooked on a large griddle, often at the diner's table
Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/teppanyaki
Supports: Definition of teppanyaki as a Japanese dish cooked on a very hot metal surface in the middle of the table