Benihana founder ‘Rocky’ Aoki transformed Japanese cuisine in America
Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki opened the first Benihana restaurant in mid-town Manhattan in 1964, based on the unique cooking style of teppanyaki.
Rocky knew the odds were stacked against him in a post-WWII America, so he focused on making the menu as American as possible.
He deliberately banned any foods that might seem slippery, slimy or fishy, which were stereotypes Americans harbored about Japanese cuisine.
Business Insider