Ginza Okahan Honten

This was by far one of the cheaper teppanyaki options in the Ginza area although it is slightly off the main shopping street. The staff were really friendly and were very patient in explaining the menu to us in English. The steak set costs 3,000 Yen and comes with a salad, soup, and even a drink (iced/hot coffee or green tea). There are other set options available and a choice between sitting at the counter (depending on availability) or at a table.

We were just walking around and wanted to have teppanyaki... looked through Google and found this place. wow.... the food is really good. Service is great too.

Putting food aside, the service and general dining experience here was phenomenal.

My wife and I turned up at this restaurant without a reservation (although this was slightly off-peak at 5.30pm) and were given counter seats. Our teppanyaki chef was Aoki-san, who gave us an incredibly mesmerising and artful demonstration of his culinary prowess upon the iron canvas. Despite the intensity of this visual performance, Aoki-san and each of the service staff were incredibly patient with our inability to understand Japanese and had a light touch of humour that softened the mood and made us feel at home, a feeling we did not expect given the high-end offering and formal, elegant ambience of the restaurant. It goes without saying that the attentiveness of the staff was top-notch and there was a real effort to explain our food to us in English for better appreciation.

On food, my wife and I each ordered teppanyaki dinner sets, one with a Matsusaka sirloin and the other with a Matsusaka chateaubriand. Having Matsusaka beef for the first time, that absolutely blew our minds. However, most of the other dishes were also outstanding, with the foie gras grilled with apple and red wine being quite extraordinary. Even the salad was well seasoned.

Although we were set back about JPY420,000, we would recommend anyone who wants a great dining experience to come here. It is not just the food but the experience that makes this the best meal we could have had for our last day in Tokyo, despite the cost.

Just don’t be like me and turn up in a hoodie, cap and t shirt. Be more like this one Japanese lady guest we saw who was in a kimono. This restaurant deserves that level of respect and appreciation!