Yamato Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in South Carolina

What Yamato Offers

Yamato Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar is a teppanyaki and sushi restaurant where chefs cook at your table on an iron griddle while you watch. The restaurant serves both traditional sushi rolls and nigiri alongside grilled proteins—beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetables—prepared tableside with theatrical knife work and flame. The experience combines dinner and entertainment, making it a destination for special occasions, group outings, and anyone wanting interactive dining.

The sushi bar operates separately from the teppanyaki section, so you can order rolls and sashimi without committing to the full teppanyaki experience. Both sides of the menu draw on Japanese technique and ingredient quality, though the teppanyaki side is what draws most crowds and defines the restaurant's identity.

Key Takeaways

• Yamato's teppanyaki chefs cook your meal directly in front of you on a large iron griddle, combining food preparation with live performance.
• The sushi bar offers traditional rolls, nigiri, and sashimi as an alternative to or alongside teppanyaki dining.
• Teppanyaki seating is communal—you share a large griddle table with other guests, which shapes both the price and the social experience.
• The restaurant works well for birthdays, anniversaries, and group celebrations because the tableside cooking creates a focal point for the meal.

The Teppanyaki Experience

Teppanyaki dining means sitting at a long counter with a built-in griddle running down the middle. Your chef stands on the opposite side, using two metal spatulas and a long knife to slice, flip, and cook your food in front of you. The performance includes deliberate knife skills, stacking ingredients into towers, catching food in hats or mouths, and managing flames—all while talking to the table and reading the room's energy.

You order a protein (usually beef, chicken, shrimp, or a combination), and the chef includes vegetables, fried rice, and soup as part of the course. The meal unfolds in stages: appetizers, then vegetables and rice cooked on the griddle, then your protein last. The whole experience typically runs 45 minutes to an hour, and the price reflects both the food and the labor-intensive cooking method.

Teppanyaki tables seat 8 to 10 people, so you will share the experience with strangers unless your group fills the table. This communal setup is part of the appeal for many diners—the chef plays to the whole group, and the shared spectacle often creates conversation between tables. For smaller groups, it can feel awkward if you prefer privacy, but most people find the energy infectious.

Sushi Bar and À la Carte Options

The sushi bar runs independently from teppanyaki and offers traditional rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and appetizers. You can sit at the sushi counter itself and watch the sushi chefs work, or order from a table. This side of the menu suits diners who want sushi without the teppanyaki price tag or those who prefer to eat at their own pace rather than in the staged teppanyaki format.

Common rolls include California rolls, spicy tuna, Philadelphia (salmon and cream cheese), and house specials that vary by location. Nigiri—single pieces of fish over rice—lets you taste individual ingredients without the roll wrapper. Sashimi is sliced raw fish served alone, usually with soy sauce and wasabi. Appetizers typically include edamame, gyoza (dumplings), and tempura.

Location and Hours

Yamato has multiple locations across South Carolina, so confirm which one is nearest to you before visiting. Hours vary by location but typically run from late afternoon through late evening, with some locations open for lunch on weekends. Call ahead or check the restaurant's website for your specific location's hours, as they can shift seasonally or for private events.

Teppanyaki seating often requires reservations, especially on weekends and for larger groups. The sushi bar usually accommodates walk-ins, but arriving during peak dinner hours (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) may mean a wait. If you have a specific date or group size in mind, calling to reserve a teppanyaki table is the safest approach.

What to Expect Cost-Wise

Teppanyaki entrees cost more than sushi bar items because you are paying for the chef's time and performance alongside the food. A teppanyaki dinner typically runs $25 to $45 per person before drinks and tip, depending on your protein choice and whether you add extras like lobster or scallops. The price includes soup, vegetables, fried rice, and your protein cooked to order.

Sushi rolls usually range from $8 to $18 each, with nigiri and sashimi priced per piece or in sets. A full sushi meal for one person might cost $20 to $40 depending on how many rolls or pieces you order. Appetizers, drinks, and dessert add to the total. Most locations accept credit cards and cash.

Best Times to Visit

Weekday evenings are quieter than weekends, so if you want a more relaxed teppanyaki experience or shorter waits at the sushi bar, Tuesday through Thursday often work better than Friday and Saturday. Weekends draw families and celebration groups, which creates higher energy but also longer waits and fuller tables.

Birthdays and anniversaries are popular reasons to dine at Yamato, and many locations will acknowledge the occasion—some chefs incorporate it into their performance. If you are celebrating, mention it when you reserve or when you arrive, and the staff can often coordinate with the chef.

Dietary Considerations

Teppanyaki cooking happens on a shared griddle, so cross-contact between ingredients is unavoidable. If you have a severe allergy, discuss it with your chef before cooking begins. Most chefs can accommodate requests to avoid certain ingredients or to cook your portion separately, but the communal griddle means absolute separation is not possible.

Sushi involves raw fish, so pregnant people, young children, and those with compromised immune systems should consult their doctor before eating it. The sushi bar can prepare cooked options like tempura shrimp or cooked crab rolls. Vegetarian rolls and vegetable-focused teppanyaki meals are available at both sides of the restaurant.

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 8 to 10 people). Most restaurants will seat smaller groups together at a shared griddle. If you strongly prefer privacy, ask when you reserve whether a private teppanyaki room is available—some locations have them, but availability and pricing vary.

Can I order just sushi without teppanyaki?

Yes. The sushi bar is a separate section where you can order rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and appetizers without participating in teppanyaki. You can sit at the sushi counter or at a regular table and eat at your own pace.

Is the food cooked in front of me actually cooked, or is it just for show?

It is actually cooked. The chef uses the griddle's heat to cook your protein and vegetables thoroughly. The performance aspect—the knife work, the stacking, the flames—is real technique, not theater added on top of pre-cooked food.

What if I do not like raw fish?

Teppanyaki is a better fit for you, since everything is cooked on the griddle. The sushi bar also serves cooked options like tempura, cooked crab rolls, and shrimp rolls. You can order from the sushi menu without eating raw fish.

How long does a teppanyaki meal take?

Plan for 45 minutes to an hour from the time you sit down. The chef cooks in stages—appetizers, then vegetables and rice, then your protein—so the meal unfolds gradually rather than arriving all at once.