Yokohama Ukai Tei: Theatrical Teppanyaki Dining

Yokohama Ukai Tei (横浜うかい亭) is more than a meal; it's a performance. Set in a grand, historic mansion in the city of Yamato, Kanagawa, the restaurant is built around the theatre of the teppanyaki grill. Chefs prepare multi-course menus at the counter, creating a direct and engaging experience for diners.

The two undisputed stars of the show are the seafood and the steak. Reviewers consistently praise the signature salt-crusted abalone, a dramatic table-side ritual where the shellfish is steamed to tender perfection. This is followed by the house's special selection beef, 'Ukai Tokusen-gyu', with sirloin, ribeye, and fillet cuts available, all cooked with precision on the iron plate. Other highly-rated dishes include the seasonal corn or tomato soups and the garlic rice prepared as a finale. A unique feature is that dessert is served in a separate, opulent lounge upstairs, where guests can choose two full-sized desserts from a trolley.

While most guests are impressed, a few recent reviews from 2026 noted occasional lapses in front-of-house service. Some also find the fattier steak cuts a bit heavy. Lunch courses typically range from ¥8,000–¥9,999 and dinner from ¥15,000–¥19,999. Reviewers recently paid ¥15,400 or ¥18,700 for dinner courses, with some abalone lunch sets costing around ¥18,000. For the grand setting, high-quality ingredients, and unique culinary rituals, most find it excellent value for a special occasion.

• Booking: Reservations are essential and should be made well in advance, as weekend tables can be booked out up to two months ahead.
• Getting There: The restaurant is a 5-minute taxi ride from Chuo-Rinkan Station. On-site parking is available.
• Payment: Major credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
• Service Charge: A 13% service charge is added to the bill.
• Children: Children are welcome and a kids' menu is available, but those under 12 years old are not permitted to sit at the counter seats.
• Accessibility: Dessert is served in an upstairs lounge, which requires climbing stairs. Guests with mobility concerns should request seating on a single floor when booking.
• Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking, but there is a designated smoking area on the premises.