If you've searched for a teppanyaki chef at home or a private hibachi experience, you've probably noticed the terms are often used interchangeably. They refer to the same basic service — a professional chef who comes to your home, sets up a flat-top grill, and cooks right in front of your guests with live fire tricks and entertainment. Here's what to expect and how to book one.
Hibachi vs. Teppanyaki — What's the Difference?
Technically, these are two different cooking styles:
- Teppanyaki — cooking on a flat iron griddle (teppan). This is what you see at Benihana-style restaurants — the large flat cooking surface where the chef performs.
- Hibachi — traditionally refers to a small, round, open charcoal grill. In the U.S., "hibachi" has become the common term for the restaurant-style teppanyaki experience.
When people say "hibachi chef at home" or "teppanyaki chef at home," they mean the same thing — a chef who comes to your location with a portable flat-top grill and performs a live cooking show while preparing your meal.
What a Private Teppanyaki Experience Looks Like
Here's how a typical private hibachi/teppanyaki event unfolds:
- Chef arrives ~15 minutes early to set up the portable grill and prep ingredients
- Guests gather around the grill — usually in a horseshoe seating arrangement
- The show begins — fire tricks, the onion volcano, flying shrimp, spatula tricks
- Food is cooked fresh — proteins, fried rice, hibachi vegetables, all cooked right in front of your guests
- 90 minutes of cooking and entertainment for most group sizes
What the Chef Brings
- Portable hibachi/teppanyaki grill
- All proteins (chicken, steak, shrimp, salmon, tofu, scallops)
- Fried rice, hibachi vegetables, garden salad
- All sauces (yum yum, teriyaki, ginger)
- All cooking utensils and equipment
You provide tables, chairs, plates, utensils, and beverages for your guests.
Pricing for a Private Teppanyaki Chef
- $55 per adult · $30 per child (ages 4–12) · Free under 3
- $550 minimum food total
- Travel fee based on your location
- Premium upgrades available: Filet Mignon (+$5/serving), Lobster (+$10/serving)
How to Book a Teppanyaki Chef at Home
The process is simple: submit a booking request with your date, location, and guest count. We confirm availability, give you the travel fee, and lock in your event. Most bookings are confirmed within 24 hours.
We serve 27+ states nationwide. Check our service areas page to confirm we cover your location.