History of Hibachi Cooking

 

Hibachi is celebrated across the globe as one of the most entertaining ways to dine. And while most diners know what to expect at a hibachi outing, not many know how this Americanized craft began and what it looked like before reaching worldwide popularity. Let’s travel back to where the journey of hibachi began before captivating the world of dining.

 

What is Hibachi?

With a literal translation of “fire bowl,” hibachi is a grilling technique and heating device that originated in Japan. Traditionally, meals are cooked on a flat-top grill made of cast iron or sheet metal. 

 

Hibachi cooking focuses on highlighting the natural flavors in foods rather than covering them up. Because of this, seasonings are sparsely used during the cooking process. Food prepared on a hibachi grill typically consists of proteins, vegetables, and rice with minimal amounts of soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

 

Hibachi-style cooking as we know it is traditionally called teppanyaki, roughly translating to “grilling on an iron plate.” A traditional hibachi grill features an open grate for cooking food, while a teppanyaki grill is a flat, solid griddle. Over the years, hibachi and teppanyaki have been used interchangeably in the United States. 

 

The History of Hibachi

The exact history of hibachi cooking is unclear. Some records show that hibachi first appeared during the Heian Period (794-1185AD). During this period in Japan, metal was not accessible. The first hibachi “grills” were made of cypress wood lined with clay. The hibachi was covered with an open-grate grill to cook proteins and vegetables. 

 

However, others claim hibachi has only been around since the mid-1900s. The first recorded modern hibachi restaurant, Misono, opened in Japan in 1945. The restaurant became a huge success with locals and visitors. Diners were amazed by the chef’s theatrical flair during the culinary experience, including juggling condiments and preparing flaming volcanos of vegetables. The work at Misono started a trend in the restaurant business. Twenty years following the success of Misono and the increased popularity of hibachi in Japan, the cooking style made its way to the United States. 

 

Hibachi Today

Since its introduction in the US, hibachi has become a common culinary term in every American’s vocabulary. However, many restaurants have adopted hibachi to US culture and cuisine, and it has evolved into a more complex and exciting form of cooking. Instead of using the small, portable grill once used in traditional hibachi meals, hibachi is now prepared on gas-heated hotplates integrated into large tabletop fixtures that seat multiple patrons. Chefs also use more American menu items paired with modern versus traditional seasoning blends. 

 

While the origins of hibachi are debatable, one thing is for sure: hibachi is loved throughout the world.

 

Chiba Japanese Restaurant offers delicious in-house dining, takeout, and delivery options. Stop in, or order online, or call us at (630) 850-7848 to place your order. 

 

 

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Sources

https://www.cookeryaki.com/news/What-is-hibachi-The-history-of-hibachi-hibachi-grill-table.html 

http://supergrilling.com/what-is-a-hibachi-grill/