Truly Teppanyaki
Enjoy dinner and table-side entertainment at Japanese seafood and steakhouse Tanaka of Tokyo.
Erupting onion ring “mountains,” foot-and-a-half-tall flames over a tabletop grill, the classic salt-and-pepper-shaker toss… Dinner hibachi-style is always a feast for the senses. And though the art of teppanyaki is certainly not new, all the flair that comes along with your order of steak and shrimp certainly never gets old.
Tanaka of Tokyo—now located on the third floor of Waikiki Shopping Plaza—has been a longtime haunt of both locals and tourists alike. For this particular branch, its new move also brings about a more spacious venue, a more modern, streamlined look and clear views of bustling Waikiki just three floors down. The dining room seats 170 while the lounge accommodates 17, making it slightly larger than the old location. The hearty menu offers a wide variety of set dinner courses, complete with pickled vegetables, salad, shrimp appetizer, teppanyaki vegetables, steamed rice, miso soup, Japanese green tea and dessert. But Tanaka also has a surprisingly varied selection of appetizers like ‘ahi poke and Alaskan king crab legs, which are perfect for sharing if you’re in a big group.
Photo: Courtesy Tanaka of Tokyo
Amongst the entrées available, two of the most popular specials include the Shogun Special, a combination of Certified Black Angus tenderloin, whole lobster tail and deep-sea scallops; and the Daimyo, which comes with a petit filet, as well as lobster and scallops. However, if you’re looking to splurge, you might inquire if Wagyu is on the menu that evening. The flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth, 9-ounce, center cut is a worthwhile indulgence.
When your chef for the evening wheels in his cooking supplies and fresh ingredients, a whirlwind of culinary activity is sure to follow. Spatula tossing, egg catching, lightning-fast chopping—tricks best left up to the professionals at Tanaka. But along with style, comes substance. The food is well seasoned, generously proportioned, and rest assured, made using quality meat and seafood. In the end, there are no smoke and mirrors when it comes to the final result—a delicious and entertaining dining experience you’ll soon want to repeat. Open nightly from 5 p.m. onwards.
Tanaka of Tokyo Central
Waikiki Shopping Plaza, 3rd Floor
2250 Kalakaua Ave. [C:7 Waikiki Map]
(808) 922-4702
