Bennie Honna is a chain of restaurants. You know the man who cuts the meat in front of you and throws the grilled shrimp at the customers. The crimson safflower inspired the name of Tokyo’s first restaurant, Benihana.
About Benihana
Quick Information
| Name | Benihana |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Founded | 1964; 58 years ago |
| Founder | Hiroaki Aoki |
| Headquarters | Aventura, Florida (North America) |
| Key people | Tom Baldwin (President and CEO) |
| Products | Japanese cuisine |
| Owner | Angelo Gordon |
| Number of employees | 5,000 |
Founded in 1964 by Hiroaki Aoki in New York City, Benihana Inc. (Japanese: “Safflower”) is an American restaurant corporation now situated in Aventura, Florida. Benihana Teppanyaki, Haru (fusion cuisine), and RA Sushi are among the company’s 116 Japanese-inspired restaurants worldwide, all owned by or franchised by the company.
With $10,000 (equal to $87,371 in 2021) earned running an ice cream truck in Harlem, Aoki, a wrestler who had qualified for but did not attend the 1960 Summer Olympics, launched the restaurant Benihana of Tokyo, the first restaurant he opened, was named after his parents’ Tokyo coffee business, which had the same name as the red safflower.
Summary
Teppanyaki (also known as hibachi) restaurants were first introduced to the United States and other countries by Benihana, a Japanese restaurant chain founded in the late 1940s. It was created in 1964 by Hiroaki Aoki, the father of Steve Aoki and Devon Aoki, in New York City at 25.
The Benihana Story
Benihana’s narrative begins with a descendant of a samurai warrior and a Tokyo coffee shop, much like any good tale.
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As soon as the war ended, Yunosuke Aoki (a descendant of samurai and well-known performers) and his wife Katsu decided to open a coffee business.
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When Yunosuke Aoki opened his store, he wanted to stand apart from the rest of the coffee shops in the region, so he set out on a 20-mile bike ride to get genuine sugar.
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As soon as Rocky had saved enough money, he took out a loan and opened the first Japanese teppanyaki restaurant in the United States on West 56th Street.
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Opening in 1964, Benihana, which takes its name from his father’s Tokyo coffee business, has an authentic Japanese farmhouse décor with meals grilled right in front of diners on steel teppanyaki grills.
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Intricate knife technique and acrobatics were the order of the day at his teppanyaki restaurant. Moreover, the cuisine is fantastic.
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When famed culinary reviewer Clementine Paddleford raved about Benihana, the restaurant truly took off, making a profit in just six months. ‘Benihana’
Rocky soon opened a second Benihana in New York and a third Benihana in Chicago. Six Benihana restaurants had opened in the United States by 1972, and the chain continues to expand rapidly.
Note: Unfortunately, Rocky Aoki died in 2008 at 69. Although Benihana has more than 70 locations throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, as well as more than 100 million meals served, his legacy continues.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Some related questions are given below:
1 - What’s the significance of the name Benihana?
In Japanese, the word “Benihana” means “red flower.” The Aoki family noticed red safflower on their neighborhood streets and named their restaurant after it. The coffee business, which ultimately evolved into a full-service restaurant, was home to the family’s four kids as they grew up.
2 - Do you know if Benihana is real?
Six Benihana restaurants had opened in the United States by 1972, and the chain continues to expand rapidly. Although Benihana has more than 70 locations throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, as well as more than 100 million meals served, his legacy continues.
3 - Why was Benihana imprisoned?
The US attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y., accused the 60-year-old restaurateur last year of insider trading. In exchange for his pleas for four charges of illegal insider trading, prosecutors say he is eligible for a sentence of 12 to 18 months in jail rather than the maximum 10 years in prison that would otherwise apply.
4 - How long do the cooks at Benihana train for?
An outgoing and energetic demeanor are two of the most important qualities that a Benihana chef must demonstrate before being hired. The chef then undergoes culinary training, learning how to cook the dish.
5 - Why is Benihana so well-liked?
The food there has a reputation for being unrecognizable from Japanese cuisine. Aside from omakase counters, Korean BBQs, hot pot chains, and bubble tea shops all over America, Benihana is the restaurant concept most responsible for introducing Asian cuisine to the US.
Conclusion
The restaurant chain Benihana, which opened its first location in New York in 1964, is largely credited with popularising teppanyaki in the United States, which is generally referred to by its simpler name, hibachi. Even though the cuisine at Benihana is prepared using the teppanyaki method, the restaurant also offers hibachi options, such as steak and chicken.
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