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Originally published by Ching Yuen. Last updated by Jen Paolini.
If we had to pick the most theatrical or dramatic type of cooking style, then teppanyaki (鉄板焼き) is definitely the top choice. “Teppan” stands for “iron plate” and “yaki” means “grilled,” so it stands to reason that the chef uses a heated iron plate to grill a set course of dishes in front of customers. The whole experience is a performance. These chefs use specialised tools that include two metal scrapers to flip ingredients and to cut with the highest level of precision. Some teppanyaki chefs also come up with the craziest tricks that may include juggling their tools, tossing ingredients in the air, or even building up a fire on top of the iron plate! Check out our top picks for the best teppanyaki restaurants in Hong Kong.
The first teppanyaki-only restaurant to attain a Michelin star in Hong Kong, IM Teppanyaki & Wine is a small but cosy venue in the neighbourhood of Tai Hang. There are two rooms seating eight or 12 persons around the grills. We would usually go for their lunch set menus (starting from $320) or dinner set menus (starting from $1,600). The teppan chefs elevate common teppanyaki dishes by making special sauces on the iron plate, as opposed to the regular use of plain salt and pepper. The plating of the dishes is also incredibly detailed and aesthetically pleasing, such as the sliced abalone served in its own shell and drizzled with seaweed sauce.
IM Teppanyaki & Wine, 134 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang | (+852) 2570 7088
If you’re ever feeling hungry in IFC Mall, then you should definitely check out Shikigiku for the wide range of Japanese cuisines available. From kaiseki (懐石; traditional multi-course Japanese dinner) to teppanyaki menus, Shikigiku is bound to have something you like. The zen atmosphere takes on a golden glitz with brown and amber interiors, contemporary and Edo-style Japanese artwork, and floor-to-ceiling views of Victoria Harbour. Their seasonal teppanyaki set ($1,080) includes all the teppanyaki favourites such as king prawns, US premium ribeye, and their signature fried rice with codfish roe. Remember to come on an empty stomach!
Shikigiku, 4/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central | (+852) 2805 0600
If we are talking about the most lavishly decorated teppanyaki restaurant, Sanka Teppanyaki might just win the votes! Run by a Japanese chef who worked in France for over 10 years, Sanka Teppanyaki is a place where traditional Japanese teppanyaki blends together with classical French techniques to create a true East-meets-West fusion. Velvet chairs are lined up against the grill with traditional Japanese cloud patterns printed on them, and there’s a prevalent use of copper and rose gold in the rest of the décor, cutlery, and even the teppanyaki tools. Dinner set courses (starting from $1,580) includes delicate dishes such as ise ebi with caviar, surf clams, Japanese eel, and various Japanese delicacies.
Sanka Teppanyaki, 1/F, 11 Stanley Street, Central | (+852) 3460 2285
Occupying a big space in Lee Gardens, Ta-ke is a Japanese restaurant with different counters for sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki to choose from. Ta-ke uses the Chinese character for “bamboo,” so the restaurant space takes inspiration from Edo-era Japan, and incorporates a lot of bamboo walls and light coloured wood for a minimalistic approach. The teppanyaki omakase menu (starting from $888) includes the best seafood of the day, but you can also add in à la carte specials, such as the grilled Spanish red prawn with angel hair ($390), served with a seared prawn head so you can enjoy the full extent of umami flavours!
Ta-ke, Shop G01, G/F, Lee Garden 2, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2577 0611
With over 28 years of experience in the teppanyaki field, Takashi is one of Yuen Long’s best-kept secrets. Its mission is to make teppanyaki more than just a meal, creating a thorough sensory experience. So from the moment you approach the restaurant building in the outskirts of Yuen Long, you are already part of the journey! Their teppanyaki courses range from the chef’s special for one ($660) to the deluxe lobster course for two ($1,980), using the best seafood ingredients and bringing out the most of the original flavours.
Takashi, G/F, 108 Ko Po Village, Kam Tin, Yuen Long | (+852) 2882 8962
Kyoku, tucked away in a corner of Causeway Bay, is a high-end teppanyaki restaurant that has been awarded a Michelin Plate. It is housed in a big space, with over 3,000 square feet spread across a sushi counter, a teppanyaki corner, and three private rooms. With dark wooden counters and muted blue marble tones, you can tell that it is a trendy and stylish spot. There are three teppanyaki courses to choose from here: the Momji course ($1,000), Sakura course ($1,400), and Ennju course ($1,700). Meticulously prepared ingredients, such as fresh scallops and surf clams, are flown in from Japan on a daily basis to guarantee maximum freshness and quality.
Kyoku, Shop 2, G/F, 38 Haven Street, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2156 9888
More than just your average teppanyaki spot, Crown Super Deluxe is an opulent establishment in the heart of Central that hopes to revive the refinement and luxuries of a Kobe teppanyaki and marry it with the larger-than-life showmanship of legendary restauranteur Rocky Aoki. Led by veteran chefs Toru Takano and Ami Hamasaki, the focal piece of Crown Super Deluxe is its trio of teppans that make up the main dining lounge. Set into custom interiors created by renowned designer Sean Dix, get ready to experience a throwback to 1960s Japan with golden onyx counters, mustard velvet mid-century-inspired armchairs, plush purple carpet, and brushed gold chandeliers. You’ll get all the teppanyaki classics here, from à la carte options to prix-fixe menus, and dishes to look forward to include Tokushima fruit tomato with Japanese sea salt, and teppan spiny lobster in coral butter, followed by A5 Kagoshima Wagyu beef with signature sauces, and lobster miso soup.
Crown Super Deluxe, Mezzanine Level, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
A restaurant within a restaurant, Ranzan is a teppanyaki joint tucked inside another Japanese restaurant, Sagano, in the New World Millenium Hotel. Ranzan’s teppanyaki master chefs will perform their live cooking in an intimate counter against the beautiful backdrop of Victoria Harbour, which is bound to impress any date you bring along. Much to our delight, their teppanyaki set menus have a focus on beef, with the choice of the Australian beef set ($1,200) or the deluxe Wagyu set ($1,500)—surely this will satisfy all your meat cravings!
Ranzan, New World Millenium Hotel, 72 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2313 4222
Hana Sakazuki opened its doors in December 2004, operating from a business tower in the heart of the most luxurious and prestigious shopping area of Causeway Bay. They have got three types of areas for teppanyaki: the general area with a semi-circle grill that can accommodate up to 14 people in different parties; two standard VIP rooms with five to seven seats; and lastly, two large VIP rooms for parties of 10 to 14 people. The restaurant also has a wide range of menus available for lunch and dinner that will easily fit any price budget. The chefs are also easy-going and fun to talk to, so if you get on their good side, they will definitely show you a trick or two!
Hana Sakazuki Japanese Restaurant, 2/F, China Tai Ping Tower, Phase II, 8 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2577 9799
Having lived in Hong Kong, Beijing, and London sure is a fun fact whenever people try to guess Ching’s accent. She loves switching between all these language channels and her “mother tongue” is just determined by how many drinks she’s had for the night! She loves movies, travelling, and exploring cities, from hidden alleys to gourmet dining, so feel free to hit her up if you need any suggestions for dinner!
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