Washoku Guide
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San Francisco · 鉄板焼き

Authentic Teppanyaki
in San Francisco.

Iron-griddle cooking in the Japanese sense — restraint, single-cut wagyu, seasonal vegetables. No flying shrimp.

01
Benihana — authentic teppanyaki restaurant in San Francisco, Japantown

Benihana

¥¥
Japantown · Teppanyaki · casual
TeppanyakiTeppanyakiJapaneseJapantownFamily Dining

Benihana Japantown is one of San Francisco's most iconic dining experiences — a legendary teppanyaki restaurant with Japanese castle architecture, founded by Rocky Aoki of Tokyo and now part of One Group Hospitality.

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Other Japanese cuisines in San Francisco
Kaiseki in San FranciscoSushi in San FranciscoIzakaya in San FranciscoYakitori in San FranciscoRamen in San FranciscoDonburi in San Francisco
Authentic teppanyaki in other cities →All authentic Japanese in San Francisco →
FAQ

Questions, answered.

What makes teppanyaki in San Francisco authentic?
Iron-griddle cooking in the Japanese sense — restraint, single-cut wagyu, seasonal vegetables. No flying shrimp. In San Francisco, we apply the same standard: chefs trained in the discipline, ingredients and technique consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused teppanyaki-first format rather than a mixed menu.
How do you define authenticity?
Washoku Guide defines authenticity by the kitchen's grounding in Japanese culinary tradition: trained chefs (often in Japan), techniques and ingredients consistent with Japanese practice, a focused menu rather than a pan-Asian one, and a coherent dining format (sushi-ya, ramen-ya, izakaya, kaiseki, etc.). We weigh these signals together — no single factor decides.
Do you require Japanese ownership?
No. Japanese ownership is one positive signal, but it is not required. We also recognise restaurants with Japanese-led kitchens or non-Japanese chefs who have trained extensively in Japan and apply traditional techniques with discipline. What matters is the cooking, not the passport.
How are restaurants selected?
Each entry is researched and chosen by Washoku Guide editors — not voted in, not paid for, and not algorithmically ranked. We read kitchen biographies, study menus, talk to people in the industry, and visit when possible. Restaurants pay nothing to be listed.
Are the listings ranked?
No. Washoku Guide is a curated guide, not a ranking. Order on a city page is editorial and may change as the guide evolves; it does not imply that #1 is better than #5. Every listed restaurant has met our authenticity bar.
Are these the only authentic teppanyaki restaurants in San Francisco?
These are the ones Washoku Guide has researched and stands behind today. The guide grows over time; if you know an authentic teppanyaki restaurant in San Francisco we should consider, please get in touch.