Comparing the dinner combos against the lunch specials helps you decide which Benihana visit gives you the best value. When you’re looking at the benihana menu and prices, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options. You have steak, chicken, seafood, and combinations that come with soup, salad, fried rice, and vegetables.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know. We’ll cover the full menu, current pricing, and how to save money on your next meal. Let’s start with the basics so you can order with confidence.
Benihana Menu And Prices Overview
Benihana is famous for its teppanyaki dining experience. A chef cooks your meal right in front of you on a flat iron grill. The show includes onion volcano tricks, flying shrimp tails, and lots of sizzling sounds.
The menu is divided into lunch and dinner sections. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from opening until 3 PM. Dinner pricing applies after 3 PM and all day on weekends and holidays.
Every meal includes a few standard items. You get a bowl of onion soup, a small salad with ginger dressing, and a side of steamed rice. Fried rice is available as an upgrade for an extra charge.
What Comes With Every Entree
Understanding what’s included helps you compare prices better. Here’s what you get with each teppanyaki meal:
- Onion soup (clear broth with sliced onions)
- House salad with ginger dressing
- Steamed white rice (or upgrade to fried rice)
- Teppanyaki vegetables (zucchini, mushrooms, onions)
- Dipping sauces (ginger sauce and mustard sauce)
Drinks, desserts, and appetizers are extra. The meal price covers the entree and the standard sides listed above.
Lunch Menu Pricing
Lunch is the best time to visit if you want to save money. The portions are slightly smaller than dinner, but you still get the full show and all the sides.
Lunch prices range from about $15 to $25 per person. The exact cost depends on your protein choice and location. Prices vary by state due to local operating costs.
Lunch Chicken And Steak Options
These are the most popular lunch choices. They offer good value for the price.
- Chicken Lunch – Around $15.50. Includes grilled chicken breast with teriyaki glaze.
- Steak Lunch – Around $18.50. Tender New York strip steak cooked to your preference.
- Chicken And Steak Combo Lunch – Around $20.50. Half chicken, half steak for variety.
The chicken lunch is the cheapest option. If you want more protein, the combo gives you two meats for just a few dollars more.
Lunch Seafood Options
Seafood lunches cost a bit more but are still reasonable compared to dinner.
- Shrimp Lunch – Around $17.50. Large shrimp grilled with garlic butter.
- Salmon Lunch – Around $19.50. Atlantic salmon filet cooked medium rare.
- Shrimp And Scallop Lunch – Around $21.50. Mix of shrimp and sea scallops.
If you love seafood, the shrimp lunch is a solid choice. The scallop option is worth the upgrade if you want something special.
Lunch Vegetable And Tofu Options
Vegetarian diners have good options too. These meals are lighter on the wallet.
- Vegetable Lunch – Around $13.50. Assorted grilled vegetables with tofu.
- Tofu Lunch – Around $14.50. Grilled tofu steak with teriyaki sauce.
The vegetable lunch is the cheapest item on the entire menu. It’s a great choice if you want a lighter meal.
Dinner Menu Pricing
Dinner is the full experience. Portions are larger, and you have more premium options. Dinner prices start around $25 and go up to $50 or more.
The dinner menu includes everything from the lunch menu but with bigger cuts of meat and more seafood choices. You also get the option to add lobster or filet mignon.
Dinner Chicken And Steak Options
These are the standard dinner entrees. They are bigger than lunch portions.
- Chicken Dinner – Around $24.50. Double the chicken compared to lunch.
- Steak Dinner – Around $29.50. 8-ounce New York strip steak.
- Filet Mignon Dinner – Around $36.50. Tender 6-ounce filet.
- Chicken And Steak Combo Dinner – Around $32.50. Half chicken, half steak.
The filet mignon is the priciest steak option. It’s very tender and worth the extra cost if you want a premium cut.
Dinner Seafood Options
Seafood dinners are popular for special occasions. They include larger portions and premium fish.
- Shrimp Dinner – Around $26.50. Large portion of garlic shrimp.
- Salmon Dinner – Around $29.50. 8-ounce salmon filet.
- Shrimp And Scallop Dinner – Around $32.50. Mix of shrimp and scallops.
- Lobster Dinner – Around $42.50. Half lobster tail with drawn butter.
Lobster is the most expensive seafood option. It’s a treat for birthdays or anniversaries.
Dinner Combination Platters
Combination platters let you mix proteins. They are the most popular dinner choices.
- Steak And Shrimp Combo – Around $35.50. New York strip and shrimp.
- Filet Mignon And Lobster Combo – Around $49.50. Filet and half lobster tail.
- Chicken And Shrimp Combo – Around $30.50. Chicken breast and shrimp.
- Steak And Scallop Combo – Around $37.50. Steak with sea scallops.
The filet and lobster combo is the most expensive item on the menu. It’s the ultimate Benihana experience.
Appetizers And Sides
Appetizers are not included with your meal. They cost extra and are shared among the table.
Popular Appetizers
- Edamame – Around $6.50. Steamed soybeans with salt.
- Shrimp Tempura – Around $9.50. Four battered and fried shrimp.
- Chicken Yakitori – Around $8.50. Grilled chicken skewers with teriyaki.
- Spring Rolls – Around $7.50. Four vegetable spring rolls.
- Tuna Tataki – Around $12.50. Seared tuna with ponzu sauce.
If you’re hungry, order an appetizer while you wait for the chef. The shrimp tempura is a crowd favorite.
Extra Sides
You can add extra sides to your meal for an additional charge.
- Fried Rice Upgrade – Around $4.50. Replaces steamed rice with garlic fried rice.
- Extra Vegetables – Around $5.50. Additional portion of grilled veggies.
- Extra Sauce – Around $1.50. Extra ginger or mustard sauce.
The fried rice upgrade is worth the cost. It’s cooked on the grill with egg, garlic, and soy sauce.
Drinks And Desserts
Benihana has a full bar with cocktails, beer, wine, and sake. Desserts are also available.
Alcoholic Drinks
- Sake – Around $8 to $15 per glass. Hot or cold options.
- Japanese Beer – Around $7.50. Brands like Sapporo and Kirin.
- Cocktails – Around $10 to $14. Specialty drinks like the Benihana Breeze.
- Wine – Around $9 to $12 per glass. Red and white options.
Sake is the traditional choice. If you’re not sure, ask your server for a recommendation.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
- Soft Drinks – Around $3.50. Coke, Sprite, ginger ale.
- Iced Tea – Around $3.50. Unsweetened or sweetened.
- Japanese Soda – Around $4.50. Ramune with a marble top.
- Green Tea – Around $3.00. Hot brewed green tea.
Japanese soda is fun to try. The bottle has a marble that you push down to open.
Desserts
- Fried Ice Cream – Around $7.50. Vanilla ice cream with a crispy coating.
- Chocolate Fondue – Around $8.50. Fresh fruit with warm chocolate.
- Mochi Ice Cream – Around $6.50. Two pieces of ice cream wrapped in rice dough.
Fried ice cream is the most popular dessert. It’s a fun way to end the meal.
How To Save Money At Benihana
You don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy Benihana. Here are practical tips to keep costs down.
Go For Lunch
Lunch is significantly cheaper than dinner. You get the same show and similar food for about 30% less. If you can go on a weekday, lunch is the best value.
Skip The Upgrades
The fried rice upgrade adds cost. Stick with steamed rice to save money. The meal already comes with soup, salad, and vegetables.
Share An Appetizer
Appetizers are large enough to share. Order one for the table instead of each person getting their own. This cuts down on extra costs.
Drink Water
Soft drinks and alcohol add up fast. Stick with water to keep your bill low. Water is free and refillable.
Use Coupons And Gift Cards
Check for coupons online or in mailers. Benihana sometimes offers buy-one-get-one deals. Gift cards can also be found at a discount on resale sites.
Benihana Menu And Prices By Location
Prices vary by location. A steak dinner in New York City costs more than the same meal in a smaller city. Always check your local restaurant’s menu for exact pricing.
Here’s a general idea of price differences:
- Major cities (NYC, LA, Chicago) – Prices are about 10-15% higher.
- Suburban locations – Prices are standard as listed above.
- Small towns – Prices may be slightly lower.
Call ahead or check the website for your specific location. Online menus are usually updated regularly.
Special Diets And Allergies
Benihana can accommodate some dietary needs. Here’s what you should know.
Gluten-Free Options
Many items are gluten-free. The steak, chicken, and seafood are cooked without breading. However, the soy sauce contains wheat. Ask for gluten-free soy sauce.
Items that are naturally gluten-free:
- Steak and chicken (no marinade)
- Shrimp and scallops
- Vegetables
- Steamed rice
Items to avoid:
- Fried rice (contains soy sauce)
- Tempura (battered with flour)
- Teriyaki sauce (contains wheat)
Vegetarian And Vegan Options
Vegetarian options are limited but available. The vegetable meal is vegetarian. For vegans, ask for no butter or egg in the cooking process.
Vegan-friendly items:
- Vegetable meal without butter
- Steamed rice
- Edamame
- Salad without dressing
Most sauces contain dairy or animal products. Ask your chef to cook with oil only.
Allergy Precautions
Benihana cooks everything on the same grill. Cross-contamination is possible. If you have a severe allergy, inform your server and the chef.
The restaurant can clean a section of the grill for you. They are usually accommodating but cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.
What To Expect During Your Visit
Knowing what happens during the meal helps you relax and enjoy the experience.
Seating And Setup
You sit around a large flat grill. Each table seats 8 to 10 people. You may be seated with strangers if your party is small.
The chef stands on the other side of the grill. They perform tricks while cooking. Expect flames, flying utensils, and lots of jokes.
Ordering Process
You order from your server first. Drinks and appetizers come out quickly. The chef arrives after about 10 to 15 minutes.
The chef cooks everything in stages. First, they cook the vegetables and rice. Then they cook the protein. The entire cooking show takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Payment And Tipping
Payment is handled by your server at the end. Tips are customary. Standard tipping is 15-20% of the total bill.
Some people also tip the chef directly. A small cash tip of $5 to $10 is appreciated if the show was good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are common questions about the Benihana menu and pricing.
What Is The Cheapest Item On The Benihana Menu?
The vegetable lunch is the cheapest item at around $13.50. It includes grilled vegetables and tofu with all the standard sides.
Does Benihana Have A Kids Menu?
Yes, Benihana offers a kids menu for children under 12. Prices range from $10 to $15. Kids meals include smaller portions of chicken, steak, or shrimp.
Can I Order Takeout From Benihana?
Yes, takeout is available at most locations. You can order online or by phone. Takeout prices are the same as dine-in prices. You miss the cooking show, but the food is the same quality.
Are There Any Discounts For Seniors Or Military?
Some locations offer discounts for seniors and military personnel. You need to ask at the restaurant. Discounts are not advertised on the main menu.
How Often Do Benihana Prices Change?
Prices change about once or twice a year. They usually increase by a small amount. Check the website for the most current prices before you go.
Final Thoughts On Benihana Menu And Prices
The Benihana menu and prices offer good value if you choose wisely. Lunch is the best deal for budget-conscious diners. Dinner is better for special occasions when you want larger portions and premium options.
Remember to check your local restaurant for exact pricing. Prices vary by location and can change without notice. Call ahead or visit the website to confirm.
If you’re going with a group, consider sharing appetizers and skipping upgrades. This keeps the bill reasonable while still enjoying the full experience.
Benihana is more than just a meal. It’s entertainment. The cooking show, the flavors, and the atmosphere make it a memorable dining experience. Whether you go for lunch or dinner, you’ll leave full and satisfied.
Plan your visit, know what to order, and enjoy the sizzle. Your wallet will thank you if you stick with the lunch menu and avoid extras. But if you want the full experience, the dinner combos are worth the splurge.