Benihana, Japanese steakhouse in Millburn, US
Benihana in Millburn is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant where chefs cook on iron griddles built into the dining tables. Meat, seafood, and vegetables are all prepared right in front of seated guests, who gather around the flat cooking surface.
Hiroaki Aoki opened the first Benihana in New York City in 1964, bringing the teppanyaki cooking style from Japan to American diners. The concept caught on quickly and the brand grew into one of the most recognized Japanese restaurant chains in North America.
Guests from different parties often share the same large grill table, which makes the meal a social experience with strangers. The cooking itself, with open flames and knife work performed right in front of diners, draws as much attention as the food.
Reservations are a good idea, especially for weekends or larger groups, since tables are shared with other diners. Dinner tends to take longer than at a typical restaurant because the cooking is part of the experience.
The name Benihana means "red flower" in Japanese and comes from a small coffee shop that the founder's father ran in Tokyo. This family connection is rarely mentioned today, even though the name is recognized across the world.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
