Benihana Bargains

Well-known for its engaging hibachi performances, Benihana recently surprised us with its robust happy hour, with items starting as low as $3. We’d grabbed a spot at the bar, where happy hour runs from 3 to 6 pm (as well as in the lounge area). Suffused with lurid red lighting, the bar is small and intimate, with room for about a dozen seats. We started with a range of small plates and a couple of $9 cocktails: a Mai Tai and a Cucumber Collins. Both are part of Benihana’s signature cocktails menu and exactly as advertised: refreshing and well-paired with the restaurant’s Japanese-style dishes.

A REFERESHING MAI TAI SIGNATURE COCKTAIL PAIRED WITH THE SPICY CHICKEN PAN-FRIED GYOZA DUMPLINGS

Our favorite happy hour menu item was the $6 pan-fried gyoza dumplings. We went with spicy chicken over pork and were pleasantly surprised to find there was, indeed, a slight kick to them. With six dumplings per plate, it’s only a dollar per dumpling, making this a steal. Of course, there’s also a full burger and fries for only $9 (Benihana knows its American audience!) and four-piece “snack rolls” for only $3 – so, there’s a lot of good deals here. We were also impressed by the vegetable spring rolls ($6), which came out piping hot, and the $12 black pepper teriyaki wings.

We rounded out the evening with a $6 Sapporo beer, which arrived in quite possibly the largest beer can we’ve ever seen. It was the perfect addendum to a happy hour happily spent. – Kylie Wang

242 MIRACLE MILE
305.604.6999
BENIHANA.COM