Benihana Copycat Recipes

January 7, 2025 by Stephanie Manley 1 Comment

When people refer to the concept of dinner and a show, they’re not often talking about both at the same time. However, that’s exactly what diners get at Benihana. The iconic chain of Japanese steakhouses is known for its teppanyaki-style cooking, where hungry patrons enjoy watching their chef theatrically prepare delicious Asian cuisine on a hot flat-top grill right in front of them.

While it’s hard to replicate the full experience at home, those craving Benihana’s delicious food will be happy to learn that it’s simple to recreate many beloved dishes in their own kitchen. Here’s a look at a few of the best.

Copycat Benihana ginger dressing, mustard sauce, fried rice, and hibachi steak.

Table of Contents

Drinks

The exotic flavors of Benihana extend to its drink menu, which provides delicious and refreshing options for patrons of all ages. Here’s how to make two of the best.

Benihana Mai Tai

One of the restaurant’s most iconic beverages, the mai tai mixes two types of rum with fruit juices and exotic syrups to form a true tiki classic. While the flavors might be complex, it’s simple enough for even beginner home bartenders to create, and it’s easy to scale up for large batches.

Check out this recipe

Benihana Mai Tai

Mango Colada (Non-alcoholic Option)

Benihana also offers a deliciously craveable drink for those under 21 or who want to avoid alcohol. Pineapple and mango juices bring powerful tropical flavors, which are mellowed out by creamy coconut milk or cream of coconut. It’s a delightful twist on a tropical favorite that’s easy to add alcohol to if desired.

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Mango Colada (Non-alcoholic Option)

Appetizers

Whether you’re at Benihana’s flat-top tables or in your own kitchen, start the meal off right with one of these familiar Asian-inspired appetizers.

Gyoza

The incredibly craveable gyoza dumplings offered by Benihana are relatively easy to make at home, thanks to the help of premade wonton wrappers. Meanwhile, the filling is both delicious and easy to make, and the simple frying-steaming combination creates that chewy yet tender texture diners love.

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Spicy Edamame

Edamame is a perfect shareable snack to start your meal. But this isn’t any old version; this spicy style amps up the flavor with chili paste and garlic, complemented with a boost of savory soy sauce. You’ll never look at these humble beans the same way!

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Japanese Chicken Wings

Both familiar and unusually delicious, Benihana chicken wings get their flavor from a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and other seasonings. The crispy flour coating allows even more of the sauce to cling to these tender wings, which are baked instead of fried for hands-off cooking and easy clean-up.

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Japanese Chicken Wings

Main Dishes

Whether you’re a fan of steak, chicken, fish, or even vegetarian options, there’s something for everyone among Benihana’s filling yet simple main courses. Here’s how to recreate your favorite entrees from the chain’s menu.

Hibachi Steak and Mushrooms

A true fan favorite of Benihana guests, this delicious steak dinner goes beyond the flavor profile of a typical steakhouse. A flavorful marinade of soy sauce, rice wine, garlic, and ginger makes each bite of steak a delight that perfectly compliments the earthy mushrooms.

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overhead view of homemade Benihana Hibachi Steak on a platter.

Hibachi Chicken

Every bite of this perfectly cooked, marinated, and seared chicken is a treat for hungry guests, who’ll love the flavorful sauce and bite-sized pieces. Paired with sauteed vegetables and fried rice, your tastebuds will be immediately taken on a trip right back to Benihana.

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Hibachi Chicken

Hibachi Shrimp

The teppanyaki treatment works exceptionally well for shrimp, which enjoy the benefit of quick cooking and the ability to soak up lots of flavor. That’s certainly the case with this hibachi shrimp recipe, best served alongside sauteed zucchini, onions, and other veggies. In just 20 minutes, you’ll be digging in to this delicious dish.

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Yakisoba

Yakisoba noodles are a top choice for those looking for an authentic Japanese dish that’s filling yet familiar. These deliciously chewy noodles are paired with mushrooms, green onions, and cabbage and dressed with delicious yakisoba sauce. It’s a perfect canvas for whatever protein you choose, or just as tasty on its own.

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Hibachi Salmon

Underrated by many Benihana patrons, the chain’s hibachi salmon is a treat for home cooks who are also fish lovers. Soy sauce, ginger, and honey form the base of this sauce, which wonderfully complements the gently cooked salmon.

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Japanese Tofu Steaks

Vegetarians aren’t left out at Benihana thanks to the chain’s unique tofu steaks. After dressing and marinating with a mouthwatering sauce, the tofu pieces are cooked steak-style on a cast iron skillet or griddle, allowing the outside to perfectly char while the interior remains tender.

Check out this recipe

Japanese Tofu Steaks

Sauces and dressing

They may not seem like the most significant part of the meal, but there’s no denying how delicious and crave-worthy Benihana’s sauces are. Luckily, replicating them is relatively straightforward.

Ginger Dipping Sauce

Ginger plays a considerable role in the flavors of Benihana, including this alternative sauce used for dipping meat, vegetables, bread, or anything else your heart desires. It includes many of the same ingredients as the popular salad dressing above, with slightly different proportions for a different final texture and flavor.

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Overhead view of copycat Benihana ginger sauce in a bowl with cooked chicken pieces around it.

Magic Mustard Sauce

This Asian-inspired mustard offers a unique combination of spicy, savory, garlicky, and nutty, making it an ideal choice for dipping rich items like fried eggrolls, dumplings, or other options. Once again, the simple process involves little more than a minute in the blender.

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homemade Benihana magic mustard sauce and egg rolls on a platter

Yum Yum Sauce

Yum Yum sauce is a sauce that truly lives up to its name. Humble and familiar mayonnaise forms the base of this sauce, where it’s accentuated and combined with rice vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, sugar, and more. It’s a perfect companion with grilled chicken or steak, as well as vegetables of all types.

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Ginger Salad Dressing

One of Benihana’s most memorable offerings comes in the form of the simple yet mouthwatering dressing that comes with the chain’s salad. Real ginger root and chopped onion and celery help lend some unique texture to this sauce, which combines potent ginger flavor with soy sauce, tomato paste, rice wine vinegar, and more. It’s about as simple to make as any recipe out there; all that’s required is tossing the ingredients in a food processor.

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Copycat Benihana ginger salad dressing in a bowl and a salad behind it.

Sides

As delicious as Benihana’s main options are, your meal isn’t complete without one of these familiar favorites on the side.

Fried Rice

Another true Benihana classic, this fried rice is ideal for nearly any Asian-inspired meal. Vegetables and eggs are fried together with rice and seasoned with soy sauce to turn a collection of humble ingredients into a fan (and family) favorite. With the addition of a cooked protein like chicken or beef, it’s also easy to turn this side into a meal.

Check out this recipe

copycat Benihana hibachi fried rice with vegetables.

Onion Soup

It’s not easy to create a soup that’s both light and flavorful, but Benihana did precisely that with this onion soup, which is packed with mushrooms, carrots, celery, and fried onions. Use it to start your meal or pair it with a protein or salad for a simple but delicious meal.

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Seaweed Salad

A favorite of sushi restaurants and Japanese steakhouses everywhere, this unique side is simple to recreate if you can get your hands on the seaweed. Just rehydrate it and toss it in a simple sauce for a briny, vegetal addition that lightens up any meal.

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Desserts

It’s even possible to replicate Benihana’s one-of-a-kind twist on dessert in your home kitchen. Finish off your meal with one of these sweet treats.

Tempura Bananas

Who says tempura has to be savory? These gently fried bananas enjoy an extra-crispy coating through the use of cornstarch alongside traditional flour. Just a few ingredients are needed, making a great impromptu dessert, while it’s also endlessly customizable with powdered sugar, whipped cream, sauces, and other accompaniments.

Check out this recipe

Tempura Bananas

Green Tea Ice Cream

Those familiar with home ice cream-making might be surprised by how delicious this simple green tea ice cream recipe is. Just four ingredients come together for the final result, with convenient matcha powder providing the unique flavor. It’s a great choice on its own or paired with other Benihana desserts.

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Green Tea Ice Cream

Strawberry Mochi

A recipe truly unique to Japanese cuisine, mochi are created by wrapping ice cream with a rice flour-based skin that’s chewy and flavorful. These snack-sized treats are true show-stoppers for those looking to impress their guests with an authentic capper to their meal.

Check out this recipe

Strawberry Mochi

Although you likely don’t have the equipment (or theatrical flair) for a full Benihana experience, there’s no doubt home cooks can easily conquer these mouthwatering dishes that taste just like the real thing. So, whether you’re looking to save time, money, or hassle, enjoy these Benihana specialties and impress your fellow diners just as much as the real thing.

Copycat Benihana ginger dressing, fried rice, and hibachi steak.

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Comments

Cat

January 7, 2025 at 3:19 pm

Can’t wait to try the gyoza and yakisoba. My sis lived in Japan and did teach me years ago how to make these two dishes, and if I even still have the recipes, Lord knows where they are! She’s gone now so I can’t ask her. She was an amazing cook and I hope these are as good as hers were.

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