YummyYummy: Japanese Teppanyaki and Hibachi Dining in South Carolina

What YummyYummy Offers

YummyYummy is a teppanyaki restaurant where chefs cook your meal on a flat iron griddle right in front of you at your table. The restaurant combines the theatrical cooking style of Japanese hibachi with a full menu of proteins, vegetables, and rice dishes prepared to order. You sit around the griddle with other diners, making it as much a shared experience as a meal.

The menu centers on protein choices—beef, chicken, shrimp, and seafood—paired with fried rice, noodles, or vegetables. Most dishes come with soup and a salad as part of the set. The chef's knife work and the sizzle of food hitting the hot griddle are part of what you're paying for; the performance and the cooking technique matter as much as the food itself.

Key Takeaways

• YummyYummy serves teppanyaki-style meals cooked on a griddle at your table by a chef, not a traditional sit-down restaurant where food arrives from a kitchen.
• You typically share a large griddle with other diners, so the experience is communal and the meal takes longer than standard restaurant service.
• Prices are higher than casual dining but include the chef's performance, multiple courses, and made-to-order preparation.
• Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for groups, because seating is limited to the number of griddles available.

How Teppanyaki Seating and Service Work

When you arrive, the host seats you at a large flat griddle with other guests—typically four to eight people per table. You do not order individual plates; instead, everyone at the griddle orders from the same menu, and the chef prepares all the dishes together on the shared cooking surface. This means your meal pace depends partly on what others at your table order and how many courses they choose.

The chef begins with appetizers—usually a shrimp or scallop dish cooked tableside—then moves to the main protein and vegetables, finishing with fried rice or noodles. Soup and salad arrive before the griddle cooking starts. The whole experience typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how many people are at your table and what they order.

Menu Proteins and Combinations

YummyYummy's main options are beef (usually sirloin or filet), chicken breast, shrimp, and combination plates that mix two or three proteins. Seafood options may include scallops or lobster, though availability varies. Each protein comes with your choice of fried rice, lo mein noodles, or steamed vegetables as the starch component.

Combination plates let you try multiple proteins in one sitting and are popular for first-time diners or those who cannot decide. Vegetarian options exist but are limited; the restaurant's strength is in meat and seafood preparation. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, tell your server before ordering so the chef can adjust the preparation.

What to Expect During Your Meal

The chef will greet your table and take orders, then begin cooking. You will see flames, hear the scrape of metal spatulas, and smell the food as it cooks inches from your face. Some chefs perform tricks—flipping shrimp into their hat, stacking onion rings, cracking eggs with one hand—while others focus on speed and precision. The level of showmanship varies by chef and by how busy the restaurant is.

Food comes off the griddle and onto your plate as it finishes cooking. You eat while the chef continues cooking for others at your table, so you may finish before everyone else does. Pace yourself and enjoy the experience rather than rushing through the meal. If you are uncomfortable with the communal seating or the close proximity to strangers, teppanyaki may not be the right fit for you.

Pricing and What's Included

Teppanyaki meals cost more than standard restaurant entrees—typically in the $20 to $40 range per person depending on the protein and whether you choose a single item or a combination. The price includes the chef's labor, the theatrical presentation, soup, salad, the main course, and either rice or noodles. Drinks, tax, and tip are separate.

Some restaurants offer lunch specials at lower prices than dinner service. If you are budget-conscious, ask about lunch hours or check the menu online before you go. Group discounts are sometimes available for larger parties, so mention your group size when you call to make a reservation.

Making a Reservation and Timing

Call ahead to reserve your spot, especially if you are dining with a group or on a weekend. Walk-ins are sometimes possible during slow hours, but you may wait 30 minutes to an hour for a griddle to open up. Restaurants often have set seating times—for example, 5:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.—so you may not have complete flexibility on when you eat.

Tell the restaurant how many people are in your party and whether you have any dietary restrictions when you book. If you are celebrating a birthday or special occasion, mention it; many teppanyaki chefs will acknowledge the occasion during your meal. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so you are ready to sit when your griddle is prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sit with strangers at teppanyaki?

Yes, unless your party is large enough to fill an entire griddle—usually six to eight people. Most restaurants will not hold a griddle for a smaller group. If you strongly prefer privacy, ask when you call whether a private griddle is possible; some restaurants offer this for an additional fee or for larger parties.

What if I do not like raw or undercooked food?

Tell the chef when you sit down. Teppanyaki chefs cook to order and can adjust doneness to your preference. Beef and chicken are typically cooked through unless you request rare, and the griddle's high heat means most food is well-cooked by default.

Can I bring my own drinks or alcohol?

Most teppanyaki restaurants do not allow outside beverages. Some have beer and wine licenses; others may have full liquor service. Check the restaurant's policy when you call. Many offer sake, Japanese beer, and cocktails on their drink menu.

How long does a teppanyaki meal take?

Plan for 45 minutes to an hour from the time you sit down until you finish eating. This includes soup, salad, the griddle cooking, and eating at a relaxed pace. If you are in a hurry, teppanyaki is not the best choice.

What if someone at my table orders something I do not want to eat?

You eat only what you order. The chef cooks each person's dish separately on the shared griddle, so you control what lands on your plate. You will smell and see other people's food, but you are not required to eat it.