SUKIPlanning guide
Hibachi vs. yakitori: choosing a live-grill chef for your party
When people want a chef cooking live at their party, hibachi is often the first idea: a flat-top grill, flying shrimp and fried rice. Yakitori is the other Japanese grill, and it makes for a different kind of night.
We're a yakitori crew, so we're biased. But both are fun, and the right choice depends on the party you're throwing. Here's how they compare.
At a glance
- Hibachi: a griddle show, usually one seated dinner.
- Yakitori: skewers over charcoal, in rounds, for about two and a half hours.
- Our live grill starts at $1,200 for 200 skewers, about 20 guests.
- Over 30 guests, a second chef joins Nick. Our biggest party so far was 75 guests.
Side by side
What most people in the US call hibachi is really teppanyaki: cooking on a flat iron griddle. In Japan, a hibachi is a small charcoal brazier. Yakitori is grilled over charcoal, much closer to the original.
| Hibachi at home | Yakitori with us | |
|---|---|---|
| The grill | A propane flat-top griddle | An open grill fired with binchotan charcoal |
| The food | Steak, chicken or shrimp with fried rice and vegetables, one plate each | A run of skewers: chicken, pork belly, wild salmon, A5 wagyu and vegetables |
| The flavor | Seared, buttery, soy and garlic | Charcoal char, with salt or a sweet soy tare |
| The show | Tricks at the griddle | A chef at the fire and skewers coming off the coals all night |
| How guests eat | Seated around the chef, in one sitting | Walk up to the grill or have skewers passed, in rounds over about two and a half hours |
| Best for | A sit-down dinner show, often with kids at the table | Parties where people mingle, milestone dinners and mixed groups |
The food
Hibachi is a full plate: fried rice, vegetables and a protein, usually with a sauce or two. Yakitori is a progression. Each skewer is seasoned on its own, from salt-grilled chicken with sansho to tare-glazed thigh with yuzu kosho aioli, bacon-wrapped mochi and A5 wagyu. Guests graze, come back and try the next one.
You choose the skewers for your party from our classic and premium lists, and there are vegan and vegetarian skewers for anyone who needs them. See the full menu.
The feel of the party
Hibachi works best as one sit-down show, with everyone around the grill at the same time. Yakitori fits the way most parties actually go: guests arrive, grab a drink and eat as the skewers keep coming. They can walk up to the grill as skewers come off the coals, or servers can pass them around.
It works for a dinner of 20 on a patio or a big backyard party with a second chef on the grill. Our biggest party so far was 75 guests.
Space and setup
Hibachi griddles run on propane and usually set up on a patio. Our grill needs a flat outdoor spot about 8 by 6 feet, at least 10 feet from walls, fences and anything overhead, plus access from the car and a sink we can use. If rain is possible, we grill under a covered area. Tell us what you have and we'll make sure it gives the grill enough room.
We arrive about two hours before your start time to set up and light the binchotan, grill for about two and a half hours, then break down and clean up. More detail is in our FAQ.
Cost
Hibachi at home is usually priced per person. Our live-grill packages are priced by the total number of skewers, from $1,200 for 200 Classic skewers, a full dinner for about 20 guests, up to $5,000 for 1,000 Signature skewers. Over 30 guests, a second chef joins Nick for a flat $500. The skewer estimator will tell you which size fits your group.
Which should you choose?
Still deciding? Tell us about your party. If yakitori isn't the right fit, we'll say so.
- Choose hibachi for a seated dinner show, a classic fried-rice plate and a performance the kids will talk about.
- Choose yakitori for a party that keeps moving, food cooked over real charcoal, and something most of your guests haven't had at a party before.
Questions hosts ask
Is hibachi the same as teppanyaki?
What most people in the US call hibachi is teppanyaki, cooking on a flat iron griddle. In Japan, a hibachi is a small charcoal brazier. Yakitori is grilled over charcoal.
Is yakitori good for kids?
Yes. Kids love the chicken.
Do you have vegetarian skewers?
Yes. Shishito, tofu dengaku, zucchini and cherry tomato skewers are vegan, and shiitake is vegetarian.
How much space do you need?
A flat outdoor spot about 8 by 6 feet, at least 10 feet from walls, fences, anything overhead and anything else that can burn, plus access from the car and a sink we can use.
How much does live-grill yakitori cost?
From $1,200 for 200 Classic skewers, a full dinner for about 20 guests, up to $5,000 for 1,000 Signature skewers. Over 30 guests, a second chef joins for $500.
How big a party can you do?
One chef grills for up to 30 guests, and a second chef joins for bigger groups for $500. Our biggest party so far was 75 guests.