What is Teppan-yaki and why it makes a great dining experience during COVID-19

What is Teppan-yaki?

Teppan-yaki is a popular style of modern Japanese cuisine that is cooked fresh, right in front of you. It combines ‘teppan’, which means the metal plate on which the food is cooked and ‘yaki’, which means grilled, boiled or fried.

Teppan-yaki combines delicious, fresh ingredients with excitement and flair, as you sit directly in front of a chef who interacts with you and your guests while preparing your meals.

Originally introduced in 1945, and made popular in the 1960s, this concept of cooking Western-influenced food on a Japanese ‘teppan’ caught the eye of foreigners who enjoyed both the skilled maneuvers of the chef as well as the cuisine.

Is Teppan-yaki healthy?

Essentially, yes. All ingredients used at Japanese Village are fresh. We strive to buy local and Alberta-based quality products, wherever we can. Each meal combines meat and/or seafood with vegetables, creating a healthy and balanced meal. Many of our dishes are gluten-free and can be made allergy-friendly or vegetarian.

Our famous special sauces are all made in-house with premium ingredients. They are non-GMO, contain no fillers, no preservatives, ‘all-soy’ (no wheat) soy sauce, which is also gluten-free. 

Did you know, they are also available for purchase in our restaurant or on our take out menu through Skip the Dishes? You may not be able to recreate the FULL Japanese Village experience, but you can definitely bring the flavours to your home-cooked dishes.

Okay, but is it safe?

Absolutely. Diners need not be concerned about cross-contamination or poor food-safe habits. With your meal being cooked directly in front of you, using only a carving fork, steel turner, knives and other utensils. At Japanese Village, your food never touches bare hands, and the utensils continuously interact with high heat, disinfecting as they go. You can enjoy delicious and responsibly prepared meals while enjoying the precision and skill of your chef - who may have a few culinary tricks up his or her sleeve to add to your dining experience. 

Can we dine safely during COVID-19?

It’s safe to eat out again at any Japanese Village in Edmonton. One of the great things about Teppan-yaki style dining is each table is built to seat 8 guests surrounding the chef. We’ve set our maximum guest count per table at 6, adhering to AHS guidelines and we limit each table to one group, meaning you’re always maintaining the appropriate 6 feet of physical distance between yourself and the other guests.

Prior to COVID, we often sat in smaller groups at communal tables, something that could be a deterrent for diners who were looking for a more private experience. That is no longer the case. There are few benefits to COVID-19 but this just might be one of them! Now, enjoy your Teppan-yaki experience from the privacy of your very own private table. 

Next time you’re craving Japanese cuisine, give the teppan-yaki experience at Japanese Village a try. We guarantee you it won’t disappoint!

Reserve your exclusive Teppan-yaki experience today.