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Maybe you’ve eaten at a hibachi grill before, enjoying the chef’s skills with cuisine and showy tricks right in front of you, and wondered how this special style of cooking came to be. Whether you’re new to hibachi or a regular diner, here’s how it evolved from its humble beginnings to become one of the most popular and entertaining forms of cooking in the world today.

Habachi in Japanese Cuisine History

Where It Originated

Though its origins are unclear, the hibachi grill existed in Japan for hundreds of years before spreading worldwide. The word “hibachi” roughly translates to “fire bowl” and came from a special grilling technique the Japanese used for cooking meat, rice, and vegetables. Because steel and metal were harder to get, the original cooking grill was made of clay and was often small enough to be portable. It also had grates sitting above a lower area designed to hold burning coal during cooking.

How It Became Popular

After World War II, many Americans began traveling all over the world, experiencing culture and food from countries like Japan. The first hibachi restaurant, Misono, opened in Kobe, Japan, in 1945.

The chefs entertained foreigners while preparing their food with showy cooking skills, including knife tricks, utensil juggling, and making “volcanoes” with the rings of an onion. The hibachi grill eventually made its way to the United States in the early 1950s, and soon restaurants started to appear everywhere.

How It Evolved

The hibachi style of cooking has changed over the years and can now be used interchangeably with teppanyaki-style cooking. Widely used in restaurants, the original, grated clay hibachi grill became a flat, wide, non-stick heating plate instead. Walking into a restaurant, you will usually see these black-colored grills flushed into the countertops next to the dining tables. One thing that hasn’t changed much is the flashy entertainment put on by the chef as you wait for your food.

 

Whether you’re searching for a hibachi grill or delicious ahi poke bowl, Sakura Grill in Mebane is your destination. This Japanese restaurant serves mouthwatering Asian food for lunch and dinner. The menu has everything your heart is set on, including appetizers, fried rice, noodles, and combination dishes. Looking for takeout? They offer express service. Call (919) 563-8889  today to place an order or visit their Facebook to see what customers as saying.

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