Tanaka of Tokyo Central

Our experience at Tanaka of Tokyo in Waikiki was outstanding from start to finish. The restaurant has a lively, welcoming atmosphere, and the staff was warm and attentive. We had a reservation for a party of eight, and they were ready for us as soon as we arrived—seamless and well-organized. The food itself was excellent—we ordered a mix of their offerings, including steak and shrimp, and everyone at our table left happy and full. But what really made the night unforgettable was our chef, Roel. Roel wasn’t just a skilled chef; he was the highlight of the entire evening. He brought incredible energy, humor, and charisma to the table. He seamlessly switched between English and fluent Japanese, which impressed us even though we didn’t fully understand—it just added to the authenticity and entertainment value. He also tied in pop culture references throughout the meal, keeping the whole table engaged and laughing. His friendly, outgoing personality made the dinner feel more like a show than just a meal, and it’s clear he genuinely enjoys connecting with his guests. On top of that, the restaurant offered a professional photographer who took group photos during our meal. They gave us a few as keepsakes and offered additional ones for purchase, which was a fun touch to remember the night. Overall, Tanaka of Tokyo delivered fantastic food, great service, and an unforgettable dining experience—thanks in large part to Chef Roel, who stole the show. If you go, I can’t recommend him enough!

Came here for a birthday dinner 530pm on a Friday. Wife and I shared the kotobuki set which was the right amount food for each of us. Our food was cooked perfectly and the pace of the meal was spot on (hence the photos with half empty plates, food came out as a smooth rollout). We were offered the Japanese A5 Wagyu for $30, which apparently is a brand new offering and was debuted that day. We had it cooked medium and it was perfectly cooked to temperature. It wasn’t too buttery as some wagyu can be, and maintained that great steak flavor. Definitely recommend! The lobster was sweet and the scallops/shrimp (not pictured) were cooked beautifully and paired well with the steak. We opted for the blackened ahi appetizer and it was a great starter. Our chef was entertaining without being overbearing (imo understanding the crowd is key to being a great teppanyaki chef). We had two unrelated parties of two but there were plenty of tables with bigger groups with vibes that fit their crew. ごちそうさまでした! Thanks for the meal!

Had an amazing experience at Tanaka of Tokyo Japanese Restaurant! The food was outstanding and everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked right in front of us. The drinks were also delicious. The chef was not only talented but also made the meal really fun and interactive. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food. Highly recommend if you're looking for a memorable dining experience! The owners were also very sweet and kind. Overall experience was a 10/10. Thank you!

We choose Tanaka of Tokyo Central to celebrate our daughter's 18th birthday and it was wonderful. We were seated on time and our family of 5 had our own table & chef. The Japanese Peach Sangria was amazing. Our water and soft drinks were refilled continously. Our dinners were delicious and prepared by Chef Rico with expertise, flare and humor, which we all loved. Kiyoshi served us well in a quiet and professional way, which we also loved. The staff sang happy birthday to our daughter and we enjoyed dessert that was included with our dinners. A photographer came around to take our picture. A postcard sized photo was included with our visit, but also purchased a 5 x 7 photo for $20 because it was such a nice memento. We will definitely go back the next time we are in Oahu.

We walked in without reservations a little before 6pm on a Sunday night and got seated immediately with 6 strangers to share a grill. ATMOSPHERE: The dark and mysterious hallway opens up to an airy, high ceiling room that's chic, bold, and modern. They have 10 grills that can seat 8 people on each side, and a fairly big bar. After we got settled, a staff member came around with her camera with the option of having your picture taken. We passed at this corny, money-making scheme when presented with this opportunity. MENU: Steak, chicken, lobster, and combinations from affordable to pricey. INCLUDED FARE: Dipping Sauces The ginger flavor is my favorite, the other is mustard which is good but I'm not a fan of it as it tastes a bit like hot mustard though it's mild. One sauce is really meant to be dipped with seafood, the other with meat, but I don't follow rules lol. It's all about preference! Miso Soup Strong flavor, lots of diced tofu and seaweed. Very good. Salad Simple green leaf salad topped with a slice of tomato, sliced cucmbers, shredded carrots & purple cabbage under a tangy/savory orange colored dressing. Good but nothing special. Shrimp They were a little overdone and chewy but that's better than underdone in my book. Small portion, maybe about 5 diced pieces. Mushrooms, Onions & Bell Peppers Simply stir fried and lightly seasoned. I wish this would come out along with the main entree but it's done as an appetizer. Pickled Vegetables A perfectly small serving of pickled cucumbers and radish went great with the meal. Bean Sprouts Oddly these were stir fried separately from the mushrooms and onions and were served last. Would've been nice to have these along with the other veggies and main meal. Dessert Ice cream is what was for dessert, my favorite! There were about 4 or 5 flavors and I chose chocolate. FOOD: Daimyo We both opted for this mid-priced combo meal that included a petite filet, lobster tail, and scallops for $50. The meat was super tender and cooked to my request of medium, and the lobster and scallops were nicely seared and moist. Delish! Fried Rice Loads of garlicky flavor, but not much else. SERVICE: Male server was excellent. Chef was very engaging, had a great personality, skillful, and is perfect in his role. The other chef cooking for the other half of our table, couldn't compare to outs at all!

A fantastic restaurant with an incredible atmosphere! Our Valentine’s dinner was a truly unforgettable experience, with delicious food and wonderful company. The chef was a true showman, performing magic with his cooking—an absolute delight to watch. We enjoyed every moment and had an amazing time!

This restaurant is excellent! From the hosts to the atmosphere to the food and drinks, and the lively chefs! I got the filet and shrimp and the filet just melted in my mouth. The Lava Flow specialty cocktail was delicious as well. I'd highly recommend this restaurant!

Visiting Honolulu? Do yourself a favor and stop at Tanaka of Tokyo Central — especially if you get the chance to sit with Chef Seth Hansen. He’s much more than a chef; he’s a genuinely great person who makes you feel welcome the moment you sit down. His skill on the hibachi grill is top-tier, but what stood out even more was his personality — warm, engaging, and authentic. You don’t just get dinner, you get an experience. The food was excellent, the flavors were on point, and the showmanship was incredible. On top of that, our server and manager John made the evening smooth and enjoyable with their kindness and attention to detail. Chef Seth turned what could have been just another dinner into one of the most memorable nights I’ve had in Honolulu. Truly one of the best dining experiences on the island.

What amazes me with Tanaka's teppanyaki is their skilled performance of each chef that makes all guests feeling comfortable and happy with their meal grilled in front of them! Once a server myself at a first ever teppan yaki restaurant in Honolulu the Japanese chef trained two servers on how to grill on the job training for teppan yaki. I was the chosen one I never knew how to hold a knife not a spatula! No performance was done those days! Aunty will make her secret dipping sauces everyday! Nonetheless Tanaka of Waikiki never disappoints the flair of the chef outstanding performances cooks to perfection! The only option I suggest the dipping sauces for the Ahi tataki was too spicy! I love spicy food but it not for Ahi tataki dipping sauce.. I'd suggest a taste over by chefs and owners for a better dipping sauce. That will be surely a favorable taste for all! I'd not to sway from this topic but my son worked years at a omakase sushi restaurant. Therefore we love to eat out quite frequently to enjoy the atmosphere of other great restaurants! I highly recommend Tanaka Waikiki Central for all to enjoy Japanese teppan cuisine!

Came here to celebrate my son's birthday (the exact birthdate!). We thought this would be a fun way to celebrate while on the island. We had a chef who just cooked our meal. One of the reasons you come to a place like this and pay the $$$ is for the entertainment value which was very lacking. The food was OK - for the price you pay, i think one can get a much better meal at another decent restaurant. There was one table that had the entertaining chef as you could hear the interactions between the chef and the patrons! Our server was friendly and did a great job of making sure we were served the side dishes that accompanied our meal as well as to refresh our water etc. While they did sing and acknowledge my son's birthday with a group song and ice cream with a candle on it- Thank you! Overall, I felt that it was quite a let down.

We made reservation for family of 3 adults and 2 kids. Took about 15 min to be seated. We were sat with 2 other parties: 1 was family of 2 adults and 1 kid, the other party was 4 adults. It took another 20 min for to cook to arrive and cook for us. The whole entire the time we were just sitting there, without a choice but to listen to the party of 4 adults being obnoxiously loud, and using profanity nonstop. The cook must be an inexperience bc food particles were flying everywhere. Experience - bad Food - mediocre Must be our unlucky day! What could be improved? Maybe don't seat family with young children with people who like to get drunk and being obnoxious!

Everything! We were here about 56 years ago and got to find this hidden gem. This is off the beaten path, but they must if you ever get an opportunity. Our server, Mikaela, cook Logan, and assistant manager Eduard were absolutely amazing and went above and beyond. A must if you are in the area!!!

We went here last month, January 2025 and it was our 2nd time. Every time I'd always a good experience dining. I ordered wagyu beef and lobster and our chef cooked it perfectly in front of us. This is a big restaurant and it gets full all the time. The ambiance is always fun and lively. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Pang! Pang! Pang! And corny jokes is one of the things you'll get when one goes to a Tanaka of Tokyo restaurant, Lol! On my recent adventures for holiday grub with my coworkers, we ventured out to the Waikiki Shopping Plaza for a get together at the - Tanaka of Tokyo Central for a meal. Apparently, there are (3) Tanaka of Tokyo's on Oahu. - 1. Ala Moana Shopping Center which is called Tanaka of Tokyo West. 2. Located at the Outrigger Waikiki Paradise Hotel, there is another Tanaka of Tokyo called Tanaka of Tokyo East. 3. And last of all, the restaurant I had visited last night which was called - Tanaka of Tokyo Central which is located inside of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza (3rd Floor). What can I say about the restaurant? Beautiful décor, the restaurant features certified Angus Sirlion, & thr highest quality seafood. When our chef arrived at our table, he was banging his cooking tools (spatulas) around, that's why I was saying - Pang! Pang! Pang! I guess the chef does this to get our attention, then he starts dropping all these corny jokes. Lol! As for the grub? It was as advertised, we had ordered an array of steaks & seafood items. Since I no longer do red meat I mainly stayed with the lobster, scallops, & salmon. The garlic fried rice was outstanding! So simply made, yet so good! I haven't been to a Tanaka of Tokyo for awhile, but I must stay that the restaurant still has a very strong following, as the weekday night we dined here, the restaurant was PACKED! Good food, great service, & of course an entertaining chef. Check 'em out gang!

Tanaka was great..everything we expected like a Benihana. The service was great and the drinks were amazing. I tried the lychee martini 3 times to make sure the consistency was there!! They were all delicious!! The food is standard, but we go for the show. Our chef was great. He dazzled with his hand eye coordination! Cooked our order to perfection! I would go back!

I came here on a busy Friday night and the first thing I noticed as I stepped in to this place was the aesthetically pleasing layout. We were quickly seated and our drinks were served promptly. Shortly after,our chef Jonah arrived to prepare our food. I've been to many teppan restaurants and seen some good chefs but Jonah was the best I've ever seen. He prepared our food with amazing theatrics and impeccable precision. In addition he had a great personality and made everyone at our table laugh. The food was outstanding and Jonah stole the show with a 5 star performance. If I had three hands I'd give him three thumbs up, that guy is legendary!!

Had such a experience here. We came for dinner on a week night. The restaurant was pretty full, but we got lucky and the two of us had a half section all to ourselves. It was like having our own price chef! Our chef was very entertaining. He's from Guam and has been working at TOT for a few years now. Hubby and I got the lobster and steak set.We also got the shrimp and steak set. It was paired with garlic fried rice. That was definitely a treat considering I rarely eat rice anymore. It's a must try! The manager kept coming by to check on us. Everyone was kind and courteous. I've been to all the locations, but I like this one the best.

Benihana has nothing on this place. The food was seasoned to perfection! Jonah was our chef and he did not disappoint! He understood the assignment. Butter and garlic please. The ambience is beautiful also.

Dinner with a show. Perfect for the kids. Food and service was really good! The chef is super entertaining. It is a bit dark in there but fits with the vibe.

This place gets packed and you definitely need reservations on the weekend. It's really dark inside until you get seated. The lights are turned down for the flame effect. We got seated first at our table but got probably the worse seat. We were bunched up with another table behind us that left us no room to maneuver. No way of getting up without hitting the person behind you. These grills and tables are not designed to move, so it's just poorly designed. Our chef, John was great. Good vibes and jokes. I'm use to marinated foods so when it comes to teppanyaki, the flavors are not as deep. There is plenty use of soy sauce and butter. Plenty of food for the price. We could not finish our entire meal due to the portion size. The team was tentative to patrons needs, stopped by several times to check on food, drinks and other needs.

Interesting entrance from an elevator off of kalakaua. As you are whisked up to the 3rd floor you kinda wish there was air conditioning in the muggy elevator. Door opens and you are greeted by a very dark interior. The restaurant is bustling with many guests situated around a chef doing tricks around the grill. We were seated with another party and I kinda felt sorry for the other party because our group had distracting little kids. Plus we were a little loud. So the seating with strangers is not my preference but that's what we got, The menu selections and prices are fair and all inclusive of salad, soup, rice and dessert. You just pick your main. We ordered chicken and steak.. and it was soo entertaining. The chef did tricks while cooking our food and it was fun to watch. Flip of steaks, tossing foods high up while seasoning and talking. That is a lot to do so hopefully these guys get paid more. Garlic fried rice and meat are my favorites combos. Green tea ice cream is super good and thick. Overall a good experience. Will return one day!

I had high hopes for Tanaka of Tokyo, but overall, the experience was pretty underwhelming. The food was just okay--not bad, but definitely not memorable. The service matched the food: just okay. Nothing particularly warm or welcoming, just kind of going through the motions. The first thing I noticed when we walked in was the smell--it had that musty, old-restaurant scent that made the place feel a little rundown. Not the best first impression. The most unfortunate part of the night was during the teppanyaki show. When the chef was doing the usual salt-shaker flip, it slipped out of his hand and ended up knocking over a bowl of sauce--right onto my clothes. Accidents happen, but there wasn't much of an apology or attempt to make it right, which was disappointing. Not the worst meal I've had, but definitely not worth the hype (or the price). Probably won't be back.

I loved my time with my family. Anthony is very entertaining. He made us all laugh. Excellent cook. The lobster was so good just a great atmosphere and family experience!! I definitely recommend this place

We had such a nice time here! 10/10 on food, experience, and service. The manager was so kind and welcoming. Would 100% eat here again. I've had teppanyaki before but this stands out by far on overall quality!

This is a very interesting restaurant. First of all there is some smoke from the fires so I don't recommend going there with freshly washed hair... at least for the ladies that don't wash their hair everyday. Fun spot to go with friends or family for a special occasion but it's just fun, nothing more. The food is ok, I tried the teriyaki chicken and it was decent. My boyfriend got the filet and if it was cooked well done I think I would have liked it more than the chicken, but he got medium well. I think I would have also liked to get the shrimp for my main entree. My favorite items were the fried rice (appetizer) though it's a lot for one person, probably feeds 3. And the coffee ice cream wow!! Miso soup was pretty good, salad not good. They should use the popular Japan roasted sesame dressing! Yeah don't really recommend overall but service was good and the cook (Austin) was very entertaining! It's also easy to find - just go in the Waikiki shopping plaza and take the elevator to level 3!

This was one of the better meals we had on our most recent Hawaii trip! It was my kids' first time having hibachi, and they loved the dinner and a show concept. The other family at our table were semi-regulars, and they said there were some tricks that they hadn't seen before despite having been to Tanaka multiple times. Our chef, Lee, was great at engaging everyone at the table. He was a great chef as well; all the food was delicious. My husband ordered the Sho-Gun, while I ordered the Daimyo. Both will get you the filet, lobster tail and scallops combination, but the Sho-Gun is way too much food. I would recommend the Daimyo, even for those with a hearty appetite. Tanaka is on our list of Waikiki restaurants we'd return to next time we're in the area.

This place was a very interesting experience that someone can experience. We ordered 4 combo, then got 4 shared portions as we have 8 people total. I forgot the exact amount, but I think you paid around $10-20 for every shared portion. We ended up with the bill of nearly $700 for 8 people. The foods were unexpectedly good! This place has the best miso soup I have ever tried in the U.S. as it was very flavorful. I personally do not like lobsters, but for some reason, they tasted really good too, perhaps due to how fresh the seafood was. The vegies were also very tasty, even though they were pepper, onion, and mushroom. The fried rice is also really good because you can taste the smokiness and garlic in the fried rice. Beansprout was the worst one among everything for some reason and it tasted so bad. I think because it was the end of the day, so the chef was kind of tired and dropped things a few times when he was performing. But it's understandable and he is still a very cool guy. There was so much food, even though we only ordered 4 main portions + 4 shared portions, so be careful when you order food. They look like they are very little, but when you start eating, you get filled quickly due to lots of fat from oil and butter. Overall, it was a good experience, but if you ask whether I would return to this, then I would say no because it was good but not that good. We only came here for the first experience.

John put on a show and knew how to make the table laugh through the entire dinner. He is fantastic at what he does! The wagyu and lobster were both amazing

I stopped by for dinner last night at this venue at the request of my teenager kids who hold old memories of dining at similar style restaurants. Upon arrival, I was impressed by the service and appearance. The wait lobby was quaint, setting a great mood for couples. The hostess was warm and welcoming too. Upon seating at my table, I looked at the beverage menu and was surprised by the many choices in adult beverages. I order the shrimp dish while my kids ordered filet mignon. Our chef was "Chris." Chris did an amazing job keeping the table entertained. Chris delivered an overall memorable experience! I was thrilled to have stopped by Tanaka of Tokyo for dinner. They truly delivered a memorable experience. I would highly recommend this venue to families and couples interested in a unique Taipan experience. Mahalo!

Had the pleasure of meeting Cody the GM. Has been on top of it since we got here. Stopping at tables , talking to guests ETC. Ashlie was our server. Excellent service. Christian was pur chef. Very entertaining. Every time we come its an amazing experience. Tanakas is A MUST if you visit Wailiki.

I was so excited to try this place because teppanyaki has been hard for me to find. I'm so glad we came here. The food was very good! I ordered the vegetarian entree which is not on the menu and it was exceptional. Thank you, John! My tofu was very flavorful and he seasoned everything very well. He was also very friendly and his bad jokes got better after 2 glasses of wine. lol Our waiter was also great! The ambiance is moody and dark. I highly recommend this place. Miso soup is not vegetarian, FYI!

We accidentally made reservations for the wrong location thinking it was this one and they were kind enough to take us in for our reservation and call the other place to move the reservation over locations for us. They were so nice sang me happy bday will def be back!

My family and I went for dinner and had Patrick as our Chef. He was hilarious and the food was amazing! We got the salmon, lobster, teriyaki chicken, shrimp, and steak. Everything tasted amazing. Overall, we had a 100/10 experience. The service was great, our chef Patrick went above and beyond, and the food was excellent.

CLEANLINESS: 4/5 SERVICE: 2/5 FOOD: 2/5 I had high expectations for this teppanyaki restaurant since it was in Hawaii, but was quite disappointed. Our waiter was clearly overwhelmed by our large group of 18 people, so I was surprised they didn't have two waiters for the table. I felt sorry for him (Brian). He did a great job though! He was courteous and had a tough crowd who was hangry. As for the cook (N_ _ _ _ _), he was not friendly at all. I won't state his name publicly for his own sake. It seems he was offended by some requests on how some of the guests wanted their meat cooked. He barely smiled and it really just ruined the whole experience. He barely did any special tricks and literally just cooked (which I understand is his job). However, if we just wanted a meal without entertainment then we would have just went to a regular Japanese restaurant. His colleague who was cooking for the other half of the table was charismatic and he was entertaining! Our half of the table ended up just looking at his colleague instead because he literally did nothing except some onion ring volcano fire... As for the food itself, it was mediocre. Most of us ordered the set and upgraded to wagyu. The wagyu wasn't bad, but he definitely overcooked it unfortunately. The worst was how overcooked the lobster tail was! It was rubbery and not edible. What a waste. After the experience with our cook, I definitely would NOT recommend this place to any friends or family. It felt like we just got unlucky with who they assigned as our cook because they really are the ones who would make an impact on the dining experience.

Plenty of space for a large group to enjoy dinner together. We had dinner with our team: food was tasty. I have enjoyed better entertainment from other locations. It seemed a bit rushed. Thank gosh the food was great.

Tanaka of Tokyo has three locations in Hawaii and the food is always awesome and of a high, consistent quality. We like the Central location since it was remodeled some time ago, as the ambiance is especially nice. We had dinner with friends and truly enjoyed the experience. While we were there two groups celebrated birthdays. One was a family with elementary school-aged children and another a group of adults. Both were treated to their desserts with a birthday candle and with a rousing song by all of the staff. The kids had great fun. Dress code is casual with some small requirements you can find on the website. My husband had the lobster and steak combination, our friends each had the steak and chicken combination and I had the teriyaki chicken. We had fried rice all around. Everything tastes wonderful. Dinners come with a side salad, tsukemono (Japanese pickled veggies), white rice (upgrade to fried rice available), shrimp appetizer, grilled vegetables and ice cream (several flavors available) for dessert. What a deal! The beverage list is extensive and there's a full bar. Service is attentive and excellent - from being greeted in the traditional Japanese style at check-in, gracious escort to your table, table setting, service by all the staff, managers always assisting their staff, water always filled (sorry, it's a sore point with me!). Restaurant is clean and remarkably smoke free. Chefs are skilled and gregarious so there's always a great show. There's validated parking in the building. Ramp is a little steep and narrow but it's a great feature in the middle of Waikīkī. Loved, loved, loved it!

Food was a wonderful. Great experience overall. It was my 4 year old son's first hibachi and he loved it.

The food was absolutely amazing. Scallops, Lobster, steaks all cooked to absolutely perfection! John was an awesome, cool, very entertaining and super accommodating to my mother in laws salt restrictions. Thanks so much we will definitely be back!!

Pretty decent place but I have been to a lot better. Steak and soup were both good. Drinks and veggies were just ok. The place was pretty dark inside but service was good. Prices are on the high side.

So good food and amazing john take care of us . John cook our food very good . I recommend this place to must bisit and dine in oahu hawaii

Their food was ok, but pricy. They say they use cheaper cuts of chicken such as thigh meat instead of breast meat because it's "juicier". Sounds like a scam sales pitch to me. Downgraded one star for that. We were surprised that their corkage fee was $40 and it's not mentioned on their website. I downgraded one star for that. It's just not a friendly fee for people who have special favored wine selections. $5.75 up charge for fried rice is another add on that should only be maybe $2.00 at most since it's such a small portion.

Best Teppanyaki i have been to, in US and Japan. Excellent ambiance, atmosphere, and food and drink choices. High quality ingredients. Everthing is cooked perfectly and tastes amazing. The shrimp were crisp and plump. The steak is prime quality and succulent. Staff are friendy. Will be coming back.

I've spent many birthdays here. I love the food and location. My family and I had my graduation dinner here, too.

#grateful Mr Lau best manager I was unable to talk him into doing a table dance but he was definitely on top of things I have been on the island for over 4 years I have been to all the Best restaurants this definitely beats them all when it comes to Customer service And fine dining from the minute we walked in the door you immediately know you are going to get the best service you have ever received we had an awesome cook named Justin and a amazing photographer make sure to follow him on Instagram I'm never leaving the island this is the place I will take my last breath I will be visiting this restaurant often and making sure my family and friends visited before they leave the island Mahalo so full of gratitude check out my YouTube video posted June 22nd 2024 Honolulu helpers make sure to follow photographer on Instagram Jayzvision

I have to say how much I love this place, the food, the ambience, the chefs and the staff. Every time I come in I feel so special. The excellence that happens here is far above any tourist type restaurant. As a local, Tanaka is my go-to spot for special occasions and visiting friends and ohana. Thank you always to everyone. Aloha a hui hou.

Anthony is a great friendly chef I highly recommend Tanaka of Tokyo food is great ambience Is a tradition Japanese restaurant and A* for the bidets in the bathrooms

Great service, awesome vibe, dinner & a show! The samurai margarita was delicious- it's pretty, it's fruity and it's tequila! What's not to like? Husband and I decided to share the sirloin & lobster with the scallop appetizer. Turns out that was a good call because we almost couldn't finish our entire meal and we actually ended up skipping the miso soup & dessert. The food was great. Everything was fresh and flavorful. The chefs were whimsical and I think something about seeing your food made in front of you really works up your appetite- at least it worked for me. Unfortunately, we sat at a table with children and the constant warning from parents & screaming from children got really old after a while. Each section holds 16 people with 2 chefs each cooking for 8 people. Would highly recommend that if you have people, bring them lol. It was a great experience, highly recommended!

From appetizers to desserts, this restaurant exceeded all our expectations! Food, service, ambiance are very good. Highly recommended.

John was our chef and he was very funny and entertaining. Very engaging as well. The food was delish of course. Every meat type was cooked exceptionally well. Kenzo was our server and he was very attentive and prompt with any of our entire table's request. We celebrated our 10 yr anniversary here and they surprised us with a huge plate of greetings and cake. Kenzo was so considerate in asking us how we wanted our cake since it was a huge piece. So we asked if we could share the entire cake with our table. He came back with plates for all of us which was so nice to enjoy with the rest of the people whom were complete strangers but for a meal, we shared so much laughter and the same experience. Thank you so much for all of you at Tanaka of Tokyo, you made us feel so special. Thank you again.

Shout out to Seth! This is now my second time stopping by a Tanaka and he was my chef twice. Best of the best service and food was delicious. 10/10 recommend

I was really underwhelmed by our first hibachi experience as an entire family, and our daughter's first time ever seeing something like this. First, I expected the ambiance to be a bit nicer? But you step into what feels like a freight elevator off of a busy street in Waikiki and when seated, you can't help but to smell how musty the dining chairs are. We got seated and almost had two strangers sit with our family of six (just no, hostess) and then they finally conceded to not seating a random couple with us. Then, our chef, while nice, seemed to be a newbie. He didn't even cook my salmon all the way through (wow, that's a first), used tons of butter and oil even after I had asked him to lighten up on it, and dropped a bowl while performing. He also mixed up some of our orders. The photographer also took horrible pictures, both on my iphone and with her camera. I can't believe that someone whose sole job is to take photos couldn't get one decent shot of our family, even on a phone! We asked a hostess and bus boy to take a picture of us afterwards, and even that was better. Anyway, this is definitely a tourist trap and not something I would go out of my way to do again especially while in Hawaii.

The food was great the customer service was exceptional and I loved the ambiance Also the chef was amazing

Wow what an experience! Food was delicious thanks to our chef Sean and absolutely wonderful manners from our server Enzo. They made me so glee :)

Absolutely exceptional evening. From start to finish, the dinner experience was second to none. The servers were excellent in every way. The chef's cooking show was entertaining and the food he prepared was absolutely the best. I have recommended this outstanding restaurant to so many of my friends, and will continue to do so. Thank you Tanaka for a great evening time after time!!

First time trying this restaurant and saw yelp reviews that brought me here tonight for my daughter's and brother in law birthday dinner. Boy was I surprised! It had to been the worst service I have ever been too on Oahu. It all started with the host Emma who could not locate our reservation and asked for our confirmation. I showed my text and shows the time stamp and table for 6 of us. She kept saying no you are late and your reservation was 7:45pm and kept pushing for that and said we were late. But if she would read the text through open table, it states our time of 8:15pm and party of 6. Her non customer service manners kept insisting we were wrong. My wife and I said maybe you like to read the text and our reservation and see what does it tell you. Then some other host apologize for her and said will talk to the manager. He comes and apologize for the mistake and I said maybe your host needs retraining and better customer service as a host. 2nd issue we had was that we had a party of 6 on our table and another gentleman eating with us for the teppanaki show. The cook was nice but the server who was getting the food and items was very slow and the cook kept asking him for missing items. Then here comes another couple sitting on our group but away from our cooking table and on the side. Now we had to wait for them to get their appetizers cooked when we already got ours about 30mins ago. And the gentleman eating near us was vegan so we had to wait even longer for our steaks and shrimp dinner. The cook had to apologize multiple times for the wait. His name was John and was one of the best cook that we have had for this type of food show. My kids love him and made them laugh. We all thought this was the only thing I would give 5 stars for but as for service it had to be the worst/slow service we have ever had. I think Benihana in the states is better than this place in Oahu. Being on vacation I would have expected better from all the reviews of this place but unfortunately it fell really short on our family and will never recommend Tanaka of Tokyo Central. Maybe the other locations might be better but central location was awful experience.

Me and my family kept going to food court type style places to eat eating at a restaurant was nice I am on vacation I want service my experience was amazing they somehow managed to squeeze us in when we called. The service was really on point. Also the food was good granted a lot of people are gonna say it's just chopped up food grilled on a blackstone. Honestly I am just a huge fan of small bites of food a good show and our chef for the evening was really nice

Came to Tanaka Tokyo for my friends homecoming. We had Eric as a chef. He was AMAZING. Super engaging. Lots of laughs and jokes. Food was cooked to perfection. He def made our visit an experience. Anthony was our server and he was also super great and attentive. Our friend is vegetarian and he made sure to double check for all ingredients to make sure she was catered to. Amazingggg