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Teppanyaki - Japanese Grilling
Teppanyaki is essentially Japanese grilling. The term encompasses all Japanese dishes that are grilled on a continuous metal plate. The special thing about teppanyaki is that the plate not only serves as an efficient kitchen appliance, but the cooking process itself becomes its own art. The food is usually prepared in front of the guest so that waiting becomes a real event. Especially chefs who specialize in teppanyaki literally throw food and cutlery around and offer their guests a breathtaking cooking show right at the table. A bonus is that the food not only tastes particularly delicious, but is also prepared gently without a lot of fat.
The first teppanyaki restaurant, which opened in Kobe in 1945, specialized in meat and, thanks to its spectacular cooking shows, was especially popular with foreigners. Today, teppanyaki enjoys general popularity and, besides meat, fish and vegetables also end up on the grill.
Besides teppanyaki, there is also the "hibachi" grill. While the former is a plate for smaller dishes, the latter is a grill grate on which larger foods are grilled.
A Teppanyaki Video by Aden Films
How exactly do you use teppanyaki?
The grill plate itself is called "teppan" (iron) in Japan and is placed in the middle of the table. In many restaurants, the plate is simply recessed in the middle of the table. Of course, there are also mobile versions that can be used comfortably at home electronically or with gas. The plate can be used to grill individual items like meat, onions and leeks, but also special dishes can be prepared here. Some examples are okonomiyaki, monjayaki and yaki noodles. The following text provides a comparison of portable grills that are well suited for home use.
Teppans in comparison
For indoors
The following grills can be used comfortably for cooking evenings at home. They fit on any dining table and you are not dependent on the weather. As with fondue or raclette, no one has to stand alone in the kitchen or at the grill, because all guests can sit comfortably at the table while the food is being prepared. You also don't have to worry about smoky clothes here, as the hot plate does not use coal. But this also eliminates the popular "grill feeling".
Just don't forget to open the window when grilling!
![Russell Hobbs Grill [Teppanyaki Tischgrill] Fiesta (45x25cm, herausnehmbare & antihaftbeschichtete Grillplatte, variable Temperatureinstellung, Fettauffangschale, 2400W) Elektrogrill 22550-56](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41RLTj1qftL._SL500_.jpg)
For outdoors
If you don't want to do without teppanyaki in the summer either, you can simply place an iron plate directly on your outdoor grill. The fast and even heating of the plate by coal makes the dishes even more flavorful.
How to make teppanyaki at home
If you get a traditional teppan made of stainless steel, you should definitely pay attention to the right accessories to ensure you have a long enjoyment with your grill. Particularly important here are a spatula, an angled spatula and a cooking bell.
The spatula, a different kind of spatula
No teppanyaki without a spatula. With this metal tool you can mix, turn and chop your food on the plate. You can also easily scrape off residues from the plate. You can get a good stainless steel spatula online for as little as €20.
The angled spatula
It looks just like a spatula. But the angled spatula can be used with its long, narrow surface to move larger quantities on the iron plate. You can also use it to quickly distribute the oil over the entire plate at the beginning. You can get an angled spatula made of stainless steel for around €20.
The cooking bell
Under a cooking bell, as the name suggests, you can steam your food in no time. The preparation here is particularly aromatic because all the ingredients can be cooked in their own juice. The cooking bell distributes the heat coming from below evenly, so that even larger pieces are heated evenly from all sides. If you like your meat really well done, then the cooking bell is a great investment. A good cooking bell, also made of stainless steel, costs around €20 to €40.
Teppanyaki - What exactly do you need?
With teppanyaki, everything can be mixed on the plate, whether fish, meat or vegetables. The possibilities are endless. But if you want to fall back on familiar recipes, then take a look at the following list.
Meat
- Wagyu beef: Meat from Wagyu beef is particularly exclusive, as the fat is evenly distributed here and thus provides a special flavor. Fat is known to be a very good flavor carrier. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get this meat in Germany without further ado, so you would have to resort to conventional beef.
- Saroin Suteki: Japanese sirloin steak, also known as T-bone steak.
- Hire Suteki: Filet steak.
- Foagura: Duck or goose liver.
- Koso: Koso means that you simply dice all the ingredients together. This allows you to create dishes with different flavors. In this way, there can be a "chicken plate", "pork plate", or even "sausage plate". Let your imagination run wild.
Fish and seafood
- Ise-Ebi: Japanese spiny lobster
- Awabi/Abalone: Snails (also known as sea or abalone ears)
- Hotate: Japanese scallop or scallops
- Samon: Salmon
- Maguro: Tuna
Vegetables
The above lists can be expanded with the delicacies of the season. Tomatoes, carrots, various types of cabbage, zucchini, onions, garlic, ginger and much more are suitable for grilling. Of course, the rice should not be forgotten as a side dish. It's best to cook it separately beforehand so that there are no annoying waiting times.
The oil
It's best to use an oil that heats up quickly and has a more neutral taste, such as sunflower oil.
The sauce
As with summer grilling fun, it only gets really delicious with the sauce. Your own teppanyaki creation can also be rounded off with a suitable sauce. While you can already buy these ready-made in the supermarket, homemade versions provide even more enjoyment. Just let the following recipe inspire you a little bit.
Ingredients:
- 100 ml red wine (dry)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 75 g sugar
- 100 ml soy sauce
- 1 tbsp miso paste
- 50 g apple
- 50 g onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 25 g ginger
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds
Preparation
Add soy sauce, sugar, miso paste and honey to the red wine after it has been simmering for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add a grated mixture of apple, onion, ginger, garlic and sesame oil to taste. Then add some sesame seeds and finally puree to a smooth consistency.
Ready, set, grill.
Heat the plate and distribute the oil and the first ingredient on the plate. Pay attention to individual pieces that can burn quickly and turn them in good time. Now comes your homemade grill sauce, which you can spread on top. Depending on your mood, you can also sprinkle roasted sesame seeds on your food. All side dishes are also prepared in a flash. Rice is traditionally eaten with teppanyaki, but of course you can also have any other side dish, such as rösti potatoes, with it. Other dishes like miso soup, edamame or salad can also be made extra. Soy sauce or even tonkatsu sauce is also often used as a dip here.
German teppanyaki spots
Even if you're not in Japan, you can still enjoy this culinary experience and find a small overview of teppanyaki restaurants in the big cities of Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Mannheim here.
Düsseldorf
Benkay
This is the only teppanyaki shop in Düsseldorf. It always receives the highest praise for the quality of its dishes. You can also eat sushi made with the finest ingredients here.
Immermannstr. 41, 40210 Düsseldorf
Frankfurt
Kabuki
Kabuki has been specializing in teppanyaki preparation since 1989. In the restaurant, there is a hot plate on every table, so you can enjoy the food in a familiar setting.
Kaiserstraße 42 60329 Frankfurt am Main
Sushimoto
At Sushimoto you will find a wide selection of teppanyaki dishes. Besides fine duck fillets and lobster, various appetizers are also served, such as miso soup with mussels.
Konrad-Adenauer-Str.7
Mannheim
Osaka
The Osaka restaurant is the go-to place for all Mannheim residents. Depending on what your wallet allows, you can put together your menu completely free. The different components such as grilled eel, steak and mussels can be selected individually.
R7 31, 68161 Mannheim
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