The Benihana brand is known as the White Wolf in the United States. Opened in 1964 in New York by Japanese entrepreneur Hiroaki 'Rocky' Aoki, Benihana is a teppanyaki restaurant, the art of chefs performing a culinary spectacle before the astonished eyes of customers around a large table, wielding knives, playing with fire and sautéing food on a hot plate.
Benihana quickly gained in popularity, becoming a favorite dining spot for many American stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Justin Bieber, Halle Berry and Taylor Swift. The brand also appears in a number of Hollywood series and films, including The Wolf of Wall Street and Mad Men.
Today, the brand boasts over 100 restaurants in the United States and in 17 countries around the world, but Benihana has just opened its first address in Paris, on the chic Rue Saint-Honoré.
To bring this festive, immersive experience to life while respecting Japanese culinary tradition, master chefs juggle utensils, cut and carve with precision, play with fire, sauté and cook food, premium meats, fresh seafood and crisp vegetables.
The à la carte menu features a wide range of meat options, from classic grilled chicken in teryiaki sauce (€40), to more chic wagyu beef (€160 per 200g) and beef filet with mushrooms (€52); as well as marine options - black cod in miso sauce (€68), grilled salmon (€45) and lemon shrimp (€52). Benihana also offers signature dishes based on mature meats and lobster.
The traditional dishes are all accompanied by grilled vegetables, sautéed rice and two sauces, as well as a very light beef consommé, a salad with the famous winter tomatoes (an obligation on the part of the American group; forgettable), and sautéed shrimps as an appetizer.
While theAmerican address lacks the teppanyaki finesse of its Japanese counterparts, the chefs at Benihana Paris are sure to delight their guests' taste buds with their mastery of flair (the art of juggling objects and/or food) and fire.
In the sushi bar, sushi is made to order, from the most traditional recipes to more Western inventions such as Dragon rolls (tempura shrimp, red tuna, tobiko, spicy mayonnaise, cucumber; €28 for 8 pieces).
In the cocktail bar, you can sip the creations of Benihana's mixologists, as well as well-sourced sakes, Japanese whiskies, a selection of wines and beers, and well-crafted mocktails such as the Rising Sun mocktail (combava, passion fruit, apple juice, calamansi, ginger beer; €12), perfect for an alcohol-free month .
Location
Benihana
163 Rue Saint-Honoré
75001 Paris 1
Official website
www.benihana.fr
