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Awesome Hibachi Review: We Brought the Hibachi Experience Right to Our Backyard

Looking for a hibachi at home in NJ? We recently had Awesome Hibachi come right to our backyard for a private hibachi experience, and it was one of the most fun at-home dining experiences we’ve had. From the food and flaming grill to the entertainment, here’s everything you need to know before booking your own backyard hibachi party.

Hitachi chef cooking on a grill with Pinterest caption

There are some meals you remember because the food was good. And then there are experiences you remember because the entire night was just FUN. Our backyard hibachi experience with Awesome Hibachi was definitely the second kind.

Instead of heading out to a restaurant, we brought the entire hibachi experience right to our house –  complete with a private chef, a full hibachi grill, dinner cooked right in front of us, plenty of laughs, and of course, those iconic hibachi flames.

hibachi chef with guest at party

And I can honestly say, it was one of the most fun backyard dining experiences we’ve had.

Awesome Hibachi offers mobile hibachi catering throughout New Jersey and across the country, bringing a private chef, portable grill, ingredients and live cooking entertainment directly to your home, backyard, patio or vacation rental.

If you’re looking for a unique party idea in New Jersey or just want to turn an ordinary dinner into something everyone will talk about afterward, this is one to save.

What Is Awesome Hibachi?

Think of your favorite hibachi restaurant.

Now imagine moving the entire experience into your backyard.

That’s basically what Awesome Hibachi does.

A professional hibachi chef comes directly to your home with the grill, fresh ingredients and everything needed to prepare your dinner right in front of you. The company serves North, Central and South Jersey as well as the Jersey Shore, so this isn’t limited to one small part of the state.

And it’s not just catering.

That’s an important distinction.

You aren’t simply having someone show up, cook dinner and leave. The chef is part of the entertainment, which is what makes the entire experience feel more like a party.

hibachi chef cooking at backyard hibachi

Our Backyard Hibachi Experience

From the minute everything started, the night felt different from a typical backyard dinner.

The grill becomes the center of the party, everyone gathers around the table and your chef starts cooking right in front of you.

There’s music, jokes, hibachi tricks, flames and plenty of interaction with everyone sitting around the table.

That was probably my favorite part.

When you go out to dinner with a group, sometimes everyone ends up having their own little conversations at opposite ends of the table. With this experience, everyone is involved in the same thing.

We were laughing, watching the cooking and enjoying the show together.

It really turns dinner into an event.

man drinking saki at backyard hibachi

Dinner AND a Show

If you’ve been to a hibachi restaurant before, you already know that half the fun is watching your dinner being made.

Awesome Hibachi takes that same idea and makes it much more personal because you’re doing it at home with your own group.

Expect the classic hibachi fun – cooking tricks, plenty of personality and some impressive flames coming off that grill.

The company specifically describes the experience as live cooking entertainment with fire-show elements rather than simple drop-off catering.

And I have to say, seeing that big burst of flame in your own backyard is a lot more exciting than watching it from across a crowded restaurant.

Of course, everyone immediately had their phones out.

It’s basically made for photos and video.

What Do You Eat at an Awesome Hibachi Party?

The food was another big win for us.

The standard Awesome Hibachi meal currently includes:

  • Side salad
  • Hibachi vegetables
  • Fried rice
  • Two proteins per person

Protein choices can include chicken, steak, shrimp, scallops, salmon and a vegetable/tofu option, with premium choices like filet mignon and lobster tail available for an additional charge depending on your booking.

And since everything is cooked right there, you’re eating it hot off the grill.

That alone makes such a difference compared to traditional catered food that’s cooked somewhere else and transported to your party.

Between the fried rice, vegetables and proteins, there was plenty of food, and everything tasted fresh and delicious.

plate of food at backyard hibachi

The Best Part: You Get to Stay Home

This may be one of the biggest selling points for me.

Hosting a special dinner usually means choosing between two things:

Going to a restaurant and dealing with reservations, driving, parking and keeping everyone together…

OR

Hosting at home and spending half the party cooking.

This gives you another option.

You’re still home, but you’re not standing over the grill making dinner for everyone.

Awesome Hibachi brings the grill and food and handles the actual hibachi portion of the party. Hosts provide the basic party setup such as tables, chairs, plates and utensils.

So once everything started, we could actually sit down with everyone and enjoy the experience too.

As someone who is usually running around whenever we entertain, I really appreciated that.

kids at backyard hibachi party

Is Awesome Hibachi Good for Kids?

YES.

Honestly, I think this is such a fun idea for families because the kids aren’t just sitting around waiting for dinner to arrive.

There’s something happening the entire time.

They’re watching the chef cook, waiting for the next trick, catching vegetable pieces thrown in the air and getting caught up in all the action around the grill.

Awesome Hibachi is regularly booked for birthday parties and family gatherings, and their service is designed to be interactive rather than a quiet sit-down meal.

It’s also one of those rare party ideas that works for pretty much every generation.

Kids enjoy the show.

Teens have content for TikTok.

Adults get dinner without cooking.

Everybody wins.

chef serving food at awesome hibachi

How Much Does Awesome Hibachi Cost?

Current New Jersey pricing starts at $60 per adult and $30 per child under 13, with a $600 minimum for parties. Premium proteins and other extras can increase the total, and exact pricing can vary depending on the location and order.

When you consider that you’re getting both dinner and entertainment at your own home, I think it’s better to look at it as an experience rather than comparing it to simply ordering dinner.

For a birthday or special occasion, it could easily take the place of paying for both a meal and separate entertainment.

What Do You Need to Provide?

The setup is surprisingly simple.

Awesome Hibachi brings the hibachi grill, ingredients and chef. You’ll want to provide things like:

  • Tables
  • Chairs
  • Plates
  • Bowls
  • Eating utensils
  • Drinks
  • Enough open space for the hibachi grill

The company handles the cooking setup and cleanup associated with its service.

I would also make sure everyone is sitting where they have a good view of the grill because you definitely don’t want half your guests missing the show.

Can You Book Awesome Hibachi for a Party?

Absolutely, and I actually think that’s where this experience really shines.

You could book backyard hibachi for:

  • Birthday parties
  • Graduation parties
  • Family reunions
  • Anniversary dinners
  • Bachelorette parties
  • Girls’ nights
  • Summer pool parties
  • Holiday gatherings
  • Vacation-rental dinners
  • Beach-house weekends
  • Just-because family dinners

They even offer service along the Jersey Shore, including beach houses and vacation rentals, which would be SO fun for a summer weekend with friends or family.

Imagine renting a house in Cape May or down the Shore and having the hibachi chef come to you instead of trying to get a big group into a restaurant.

Sign me up.

hibachi chef with guest at party

Is Awesome Hibachi Worth It?

For us, absolutely.

The food was great, but what made the night really memorable was the experience.

We weren’t just eating dinner in our backyard.

We were laughing, watching the chef perform, enjoying food cooked right in front of us and making an ordinary evening feel like an actual event.

And that’s why I think Awesome Hibachi is such a fun option if you’re looking for something different.

You could go out for hibachi.

Or you could have hibachi come to you.

After doing it in our own backyard, I can tell you which one sounds more fun to me.

Awesome Hibachi FAQ

Does Awesome Hibachi come to your house?

Yes. Awesome Hibachi is a mobile hibachi catering service that sends a private chef and portable grill to homes, backyards, patios, vacation rentals and other event locations.

Does Awesome Hibachi serve New Jersey?

Yes. Awesome Hibachi offers service throughout North Jersey, Central Jersey, South Jersey and the Jersey Shore.

How much is Awesome Hibachi in NJ?

Current base pricing in New Jersey is $60 per adult and $30 per child under 13, with a $600 party minimum. Premium proteins and other options may cost extra.

What food is included?

The standard meal includes salad, fried rice, hibachi vegetables and two protein choices per person. Available proteins include options such as chicken, steak, shrimp, scallops, salmon and tofu/vegetables.

Do they bring the hibachi grill?

Yes. The chef brings the portable hibachi grill and food. Hosts provide their own tables, chairs, plates and eating utensils.

Can Awesome Hibachi accommodate vegetarians?

Yes. The company offers a vegetable and tofu option and says vegan/vegetarian meals can be accommodated. Gluten-free sauce is also available by request.

Can you have backyard hibachi during colder weather?

Awesome Hibachi says it operates year-round in New Jersey when there is a suitable covered outdoor area, such as a tent, patio or garage.

Final Thoughts on Our Awesome Hibachi Experience

If you’re looking for a unique backyard party idea in New Jersey, hibachi at home can’t be beat! This is one I’d absolutely recommend adding to your list.

Our Awesome Hibachi experience was delicious, entertaining and genuinely FUN.

It takes something everyone already loves – going out for hibachi – and turns it into a private experience you can enjoy with the people you love without ever leaving home.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting friends, planning a family party or just looking for an excuse to turn dinner into something memorable, having a private hibachi chef in your own backyard is definitely an experience worth trying.

We had an amazing time, ate way too much fried rice, laughed all night and already know this won’t be the last backyard hibachi party we have.

And really, that’s the best kind of review I can give.

Dawn

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