Miyami Japanese Steakhouse: Teppanyaki Cooking and Sushi in South Carolina

What Miyami Japanese Steakhouse Offers

Miyami Japanese Steakhouse is a teppanyaki restaurant where chefs cook your meal on a large iron griddle right in front of you at your table. The restaurant serves sushi, nigiri, rolls, and cooked Japanese dishes alongside the teppanyaki experience. Diners sit around the cooking surface in groups, making it a social meal where you watch the chef's technique and timing as your food is prepared.

The teppanyaki menu typically includes beef, chicken, shrimp, and seafood options, each cooked with vegetables like zucchini, onions, mushrooms, and broccoli. Sushi offerings range from classic rolls to specialty creations. The restaurant also serves appetizers, soups, and side dishes that arrive before the main teppanyaki course.

Key Takeaways

• Miyami serves teppanyaki-style cooking at your table, where a chef prepares your meal on a large griddle in front of you and other diners.
• The menu includes teppanyaki proteins (beef, chicken, shrimp, seafood) cooked with vegetables, plus a full sushi bar with rolls and nigiri.
• Teppanyaki seating is communal, so you share the cooking experience with other guests at the same table.
• The restaurant is best for groups or occasions where you want entertainment and interaction as part of the dining experience.

The Teppanyaki Experience at Your Table

When you order teppanyaki at Miyami, you sit at a large flat-top griddle with other diners. The chef stands on the opposite side and cooks everything in front of you—chopping vegetables with precision, flipping shrimp into their hat, and managing multiple dishes at once. This is not a quiet meal; the sizzle, the clang of metal utensils, and the chef's showmanship are part of what you are paying for.

The chef typically starts with appetizers cooked on the griddle—often shrimp or scallop—then moves to your main protein and vegetables. Fried rice or noodles usually come next. The whole process takes 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish. If you have never experienced teppanyaki before, expect the chef to engage with the table, make jokes, and occasionally perform tricks like catching food in a hat or stacking onion rings.

Sushi and Cold Appetizers

Beyond teppanyaki, Miyami operates a sushi bar where chefs prepare rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. You can order sushi as a standalone meal or as an appetizer before your teppanyaki course. The sushi menu usually includes California rolls, spicy tuna, Philadelphia rolls, and house specialties that vary by location and season.

Cold appetizers like edamame, gyoza (pan-fried dumplings), and seaweed salad are also available. Many diners start with these lighter items while waiting for their teppanyaki table to be ready, since the griddle cooking requires a group to be seated together.

Pricing and What to Expect

Teppanyaki entrees at Japanese steakhouses typically range from the mid-20s to mid-40s per person, depending on the protein you choose and the restaurant's location. Chicken and shrimp are usually less expensive than beef or lobster. Sushi rolls generally cost between $6 and $16 each. Appetizers, soups, and sides add to the bill.

Most teppanyaki restaurants include a salad, soup, and fried rice or noodles with the entree price. Drinks, tax, and tip are separate. Because you are seated with other diners, the total time from arrival to departure is often 90 minutes or more, especially during busy hours when the restaurant waits for enough people to fill a table.

When to Visit and How to Prepare

Teppanyaki restaurants are busiest on Friday and Saturday evenings. If you want a quieter experience or a shorter wait, weekday lunch or early dinner is a better choice. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for groups of four or more, because the restaurant needs to seat enough people at one griddle to make the service work.

Wear clothes you do not mind getting a light splash of oil on—teppanyaki cooking can occasionally splatter, though chefs are skilled at controlling this. Avoid very loose sleeves or dangling jewelry that might get in the way. If anyone in your group has a severe shellfish allergy, mention it when you call to reserve, so the chef can take precautions.

South Carolina Locations and Variations

Miyami Japanese Steakhouse operates multiple locations across South Carolina. Each location may have slightly different menu offerings, pricing, or hours. Some locations emphasize the teppanyaki experience more heavily, while others give equal weight to the sushi bar. Call ahead or check the specific location's website to confirm current hours, reservation policies, and any specials they may be running.

South Carolina has several Japanese steakhouses beyond Miyami, so if you cannot get a reservation or prefer a different atmosphere, other teppanyaki options exist in major cities. However, Miyami's multiple locations make it one of the more accessible choices for the teppanyaki experience across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sit with strangers at teppanyaki?

Yes, unless your group is large enough to fill an entire table (usually six to eight people). The chef needs multiple diners at one griddle for the service to work. If you strongly prefer privacy, call ahead and ask if the restaurant can accommodate a private table or if they have slower times when you might be seated alone.

What if I do not like raw fish or sushi?

Teppanyaki is cooked, so you can order that without touching sushi. The menu includes plenty of cooked proteins, vegetables, and rice. Sushi is optional and available only if you order it separately from the teppanyaki course.

Can I bring children to Miyami?

Yes, many families bring children to teppanyaki because the cooking show aspect is entertaining for kids. However, young children may be startled by the loud sizzling and flames. Ask the restaurant about their policy on seating children at the griddle and whether they offer smaller portions or a kids' menu.

How far in advance should I make a reservation?

For weekday visits, a day or two ahead is usually sufficient. For Friday or Saturday dinner, especially for groups of six or more, reserve at least one week in advance. During holidays or special events, reserve two to three weeks ahead if possible.

Is teppanyaki more expensive than regular Japanese restaurants?

Yes, typically. You are paying for the chef's skill, the entertainment value, and the table-side cooking experience. A teppanyaki entree costs more than a comparable sushi roll or cooked dish at a traditional Japanese restaurant, but the experience and portion size justify the difference for many diners.