Teppanyaki, Guatemala City

Get off the beaten track in Guatemala City with a visit to this local favorite.

Teppanyaki has been offering Japanese-inspired cuisine from its base in Zone 9 for decades, and has become something of an institution for locals. The interior doesn’t look like it has changed for quite some time, with a large water feature only adding to the kitschy feel.

The staff is friendly, especially the chefs, who whip up your meal of choice on the hot plate (or teppanyaki) around which you are seated. Each chef seems to have his own repertoire of tricks, such as flipping eggshells into his hat, which only adds to the fun. Wash your food down with a selection of local beers, or splash out on imported Japanese Sapporo.

My mixed teppanyaki of shrimp and beef was certainly tasty, if a little too salty, while the other dishes came out tasting much the same. Sushi is also on the menu, but it almost defeats the point of the teppanyaki. The restaurant feels like an eccentric uncle you see every once in a while, but there is something that keeps drawing you back.

A meal for two with a drink costs around $45, and although the food is nothing to write home about, the overall experience is one that lasts long in the memory. The overall standard of Asian food in Guatemala City is not high, and Teppanyaki stands out from the crowd for its friendly staff and unique decor.