Introducing: Teppan Kenta, a new Japanese grill house at Bay and Wellesley
Introducing: Teppan Kenta, a new Japanese grill house at Bay and Wellesley
Name: Teppan Kenta
Contact Info: 24 Wellesley St. W., 647-345-0905, facebook.com, @teppankenta, teppankenta.com
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
Owner/Chef: Kenta Taniguchi, the former manager at Guu Izakaya
The Food: Griddled meats and other quick-fried Japanese dishes, including okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake topped with pork, noodles, cabbage and egg. Among the more adventurous options: a cheesy shrimp melt served with croutons and edamame, and a potato pizza topped with pickled fish innards—best paired with beer, we’re told.
The Drinks: Sake, shōchū and cocktails flavoured with melon, mango and lychee. Sapporo and Asahi beers are available by the pint, bottle or pitcher.
The Place: A streamlined space with communal benches, an open kitchen and a window ledge crammed with colourful potted plants. A seat at the bar lets you watch chef Taniguchi at work on the griddle.
The Numbers:
• 50 seats, including 14 handmade bar stools
• 2 massive metal griddles, called tappan
• 1 dollar to add a scoop of ice cream to any cocktail
Read More
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- <em>Teppan</em> is the Japanese word for a metal griddle and <em>teppanyaki</em> is the term for a restaurant that serves griddled foods.
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- The space, tucked behind the Rabba on Wellesley, used to be occupied by Nejibee, another <em>teppanyaki</em>
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- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- Chef Taniguchi trained in Japan. His motto: “No Teppan, No Life”
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- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- Tomato topped with pickled ginger ($4.50)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- Japanese pancake with pork, squid, shrimp, cabbage, noodles and egg ($15)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- Potato pizza with pickled fish innards ($6)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- Grilled rosemary chicken thigh ($8)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- Shrimp and potato melt with croutons and edamame ($7.50)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- Strip loin served with wasabi, rock salt and soy sauce ($10)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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- Melon-Chan (left): melon, Calpico (a milky Japanese drink) and soda ($6); Fairy Tail (right): lychee, mango, Irish cream and cranberry juice ($6.50)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
- Introducing: Teppan Kenta
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I had a very enjoyable evening at Teppankenta with my date. Food was made with fresh ingredients. The place was full of vibe and it was a great place to hang out with friends after work.
Warm and friendly staff; wonderful food; always a good vibe – what more could a person ask?!! This is a super little hidden gem.