This is good news for Benihana fans. The Japanese restaurant’s second branch in Bangkok has come to the city center at the Avani Atrium Hotel on Petchaburi Road. For those who have no clue what it is, Benihana is a Japanese restaurant chain founded in the US by Rocky Aoki (the father of DJ Steve and model Devon Aoki) in 1964. It’s franchised in Thailand via the Minor group, which set up the first Benihana in Thailand at Anantara Riverside Bangkok (formerly Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa) more than twenty years ago.
Now the second branch has opened, offering an entertaining dining experience on Petchaburi. The restaurant is dressed in its signature black and red hues, and decorated with contemporary details. There are a number of cooking stations, some of which are in private rooms, where diners sit around a table and watch a choreographed cooking show performed over a teppanyaki grill.
You may initially feel a little confused on how to enjoy your meal, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it. You start by ordering what you like from the teppanyaki section in the menu. Choices include Norwegian salmon (180g, B750), snow fish (160g, B1,100), tiger prawns (200g, B900), chicken breast (180g, B650), foie gras (160g, B1,000) and a selection of beef (200 to 250g, B2,300 to B4,900). You then sit back after giving your order and trust the cook to dazzle you with his amazing grill skills. Meats are served with three different dipping sauces. You can also opt for one of the combo sets (B1,400 to B2,700), which features a larger variety of meats. The teppanyaki comes with rice, Japanese onion soup, salad, hibachi vegetables and tiger prawns.
The food was up to the standard on the day we went, but you don’t really come to this place for the food alone – you’re also here for the show. There may have been a few jokes that fell flat, but, in general, the cooking show was quite entertaining. Benihana is a good choice for a meal with family, friends or colleagues – especially with a weekend brunch promotion (B790) that features a wide selection of meats.
