Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Dawn

Venue Overview (6.17)

Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine that uses iron griddles or grills to cook food to an audience of guests – and it is a really fun experience. Right in front of everybody, the chefs toss their spatulas and knifes, make eggs “disappear” into their hat, shape the fried rice into a fish while cooking the rest of the meal. It’s fun to watch and the food is very good. Reservations are highly recommended, as this restaurant is popular. The restaurant is open from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm and costs $25 extra.

Teppanyaki’s menu is not really extensive. The only choices are the main courses. Starting off with complimentary edamame, miso soup, and seaweed salad, the chef prepares the garlic fried rice (there is no other choice for side dishes) while the guests eat their first courses. There is a choice of nine entrees, from filet mignon to sea scallops and shrimps, and all are served with “Japanese Teppanyaki Vegetables” and onion or creamy mustard dipping sauces. Also on the menu are two special cocktails: a wasabi cocktail ($9.75) and a Japanese martini ($8.75).

Overall, we were very satisfied with the food and the service at Teppanyaki and would definitely recommend trying it.

With 18 seats around two iron griddles, the Teppanyaki on the Dawn is not very big. Everything is kept in the Japanese decor. Each place setting has chopsticks and forks (for those who have less experience with chopsticks and don’t want to starve while eating).

Lunch / Dinner

After the delicious edamame, the miso soup was served, coming out a little cold but tasting pretty good. The seaweed salad on the other hand, was excellent – at least the seaweed and the ginger dressing. The iceberg salad under the seaweed, however, was less impressive.

There is a choice of nine entrees of traditional teppanyaki and combinations (much like a surf and turf, but Japanese-style). Watching the preparation of the meat made us confident that it would be prepared just as we asked for it. We asked for medium rare and we got it.

Dessert

Teppanyaki serves only two desserts: a green tea cake with ice cream and sesame caramel, and “fruit sashimi.” The fruit sashimi is essentially a fruit plate. The green tea cake is definitely worth a try.