When many people outside Japan hear the word teppanyaki, they often imagine chefs juggling knives, building onion volcanoes, and entertaining guests with dramatic cooking performances.
While those shows are fun, authentic Japanese teppanyaki is something entirely different.
In Japan, teppanyaki is about bringing out the natural flavors of premium ingredients. Carefully selected Japanese wagyu beef, fresh seafood, and seasonal vegetables are expertly grilled on a hot iron plate right in front of you, creating an elegant dining experience that celebrates quality rather than performance.
If you’re looking for the real taste of Japanese teppanyaki in Yokohama,
Chikita Tei Nagomi is an excellent choice.
A Long-Established Teppanyaki Restaurant in Yokohama
Chikita Tei is a premium teppanyaki restaurant operated by Mizunobu, a long-established fruit and produce company that has served Yokohama for many years.
The restaurant has locations in both Yokohama and Kannai. This time, I visited Chikita Tei Nagomi in Kannai.
As soon as you’re seated at the counter, a large iron griddle immediately catches your attention.
The restaurant proudly uses an extra-thick 2-centimeter iron plate, which distributes heat evenly and retains it exceptionally well. This allows thick steaks to remain remarkably juicy while seafood and locally grown vegetables are cooked delicately with wonderful aromas.
A Carefully Crafted Teppanyaki Course
I visited for dinner and chose the Chikita Course.
The meal began with an elegant appetizer, followed by a fresh salad before the seafood course arrived.
The fish of the day was Japanese flounder, perfectly grilled on the teppan and served with two different sauces—a rich tomato-based sauce and a delicate white wine sauce. Both complemented the fish beautifully while offering completely different flavors.
Premium Japanese Beef Cooked Before Your Eyes
The highlight of the course is undoubtedly the Wagyu beef.
Guests can choose between filet or sirloin steak. I selected the sirloin, which was beautifully marbled and cooked to perfection.
The beef can be enjoyed simply with salt or dipped into soy sauce mixed with fresh wasabi, allowing the quality of the meat to truly shine.
Watching the chef prepare everything directly in front of you makes the meal even more enjoyable.
Don’t Skip the Garlic Fried Rice
Rice is served separately from the course, but I highly recommend upgrading to the restaurant’s garlic fried rice.
Prepared right before your eyes on the hot iron plate, the irresistible aroma of garlic quickly fills the air and builds anticipation for the final savory course.
It’s a simple addition that is absolutely worth ordering.
A Dessert That Reflects the Restaurant’s Heritage
Dessert featured blood orange paired with ice cream.
Since Chikita Tei is operated by a company specializing in premium fruits, fresh fruit is thoughtfully incorporated throughout the menu. The dessert was refreshing, beautifully balanced, and a perfect ending to the meal.
Experience Authentic Japanese Teppanyaki
At Chikita Tei Nagomi, teppanyaki is much more than grilled beef.
Fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, premium wagyu, and carefully selected fruits are transformed into refined dishes by skilled chefs right before your eyes.
If you’re visiting Yokohama and want to experience authentic Japanese teppanyaki—not the performance-style version often seen overseas—Chikita Tei Nagomi is a restaurant well worth adding to your itinerary.
It is a wonderful place to discover the true artistry of Japanese teppanyaki.
