Teppan Bar and Grill

The chefs at work looking playful while preparing this light and delicious meal. (Courtesy of Teppan Bar and Grill)

This charming Japanese eatery, which opened May 2010, artistically blends the old and the new, creating a lovely ambience for a comfortable and pleasing dining experience.

Brandon Liu designed the interior. He also did New York City’s Whym, Jersey City’s Confucius, and Hoboken’s Casual Thai.

The interior with high ceilings and painted floors is fit for all restaurant patrons, but attracts the young professionals who flock in ever-greater numbers to this up-and-coming, trendy neighborhood in Newport, Jersey City. The restaurant is divided into several sections: the bar and lounge, a sushi and noodle area, and the main attraction, the Hibachi grill area.

Teppan is close to the financial center, an area home to many new condo developments where many corporations and businesses that escaped the high rents of New York City have established themselves. This interesting, vibrant neighborhood, although still in transition, has brought a varied mix of residents and businesses to the area.

Neighbors have heartily welcomed the recently opened Teppan. The menu offers a seemingly endless selection of eclectic, delectable prepared dishes, always made with high quality ingredients. The choices are traditional Japanese, with an eye to East Asian fusion. The menu lists salads, hot starters, Donburi, Katsu Curry, sushi, and sashimi, and the comfort meals: Udon, Soba, and Ramen, which I am told is one of the best and worth another visit to try. But I want to focus on dining area’s Hibachi grill.

Teppan’s Hibachi is a U-shaped counter surrounding an open grill, where friends and family sit around to enjoy seeing the cook skillfully prepare the meal.

A variety of meats are cooked on the hibachi, including chicken and fish, which can be savored with either a drop of soy sauce, a dash of salt, or with a choice of homemade dipping sauces. 

The kitchen is under the supervision of highly trained, vastly experienced chef Tom Kurokawa. He comes from a family of restaurant owners dating back 124 years. Chef Tom is known for his Asian fusion cuisine, and his traditional Japanese preparations. His professional experiences include four years of managing 11 restaurants for the Vesta International Restaurant Association in South Korea. He told me that Teppan’s menu is still evolving, and that one has to adjust the dishes and flavors according to the preferences of the local palates.

Braised Short Ribs in soy sake marinade ($8) were our starters. The meat was tender and pleasantly flavored. Inspired by the Korean BBQ Kogi sauce, a soy sauce base of Korean peppers and other spices, the meat is marinated for at least five hours before arriving at the table.

We followed this with the Ika Geso ($8), squid legs, light and crispy, which sat tenderly and patiently on the plate waiting to be devoured. I have had this interesting dish before. To my pleasant surprise it was satisfying as well.

The Hamachi Kama Yaki is priced according to season. It is the jaw of the yellowtail, considered the best part of the fish, very meaty and fatty, with only one fault, if it could be called that: it melts in your mouth. Its only dressing was a dash of salt. Its perfect accompaniment is daikon (radish)—it cuts the oiliness of the fish. I would have stopped eating then, but being with a group of Chinese who appreciate great food, we had the main meal Hibachi-style.

The service is expert and friendly.

Good-humored, skillful Peter was our teppanyaki chef who knows how to dice and slice the meats and flips them in the air. Peter prepared selections from the Hibachi menu, which offers many choices of meat, chicken, and fish along with fried rice. I chose the combo of scallops and sea bass ($22), which were fantastic.

Karate Kid Hibachi is also available.

Out of the four types of dipping sauces, only three are served. Please remember to order the fourth sauce, a surprise you will never forget.

My visit to this restaurant was a memorable experience. I would go there again to try the Ramen.

Teppan is open seven days a week, for lunch and dinner.

Reservations are recommended.

Free delivery for minimum orders of $15.

319 Warren Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Teppanjc.com