Teppanyaki: Norwegian Cruise Line's take on the art of Japanese grilling (with menu)
"Her name is Ana — Anaconda!" said the chef, using his spatula to wiggle the snake-shaped mound of egg he was grilling in front of me, my travel companion and a group of several strangers. If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, corny jokes and communal dining, and you have an upcoming cruise with Norwegian, Teppanyaki is a don't-miss dinner experience.
Aptly but uncreatively named after teppanyaki, the Japanese style of cooking on a flat-top iron griddle called a teppan, Teppanyaki — with a capital T — is a fantastic place to enjoy a meal if you're looking for variety outside of the main dining room and buffet.
Here, I'll run through all the details about Teppanyaki, one of Norwegian Cruise Line's most entertaining alternative restaurants.
What is Teppanyaki on Norwegian Cruise Line?
Teppanyaki, NCL's Japanese alternative eatery, is an added-fee restaurant that's open only for dinner. At its core, it offers a tasty menu of dishes cooked right in front of you by an experienced chef who's also a showman.
When you arrive, you'll be seated at a counter surrounding a flat-top grill where your chef prepares your meal. If you're not traveling as part of a large group, you will be joined by other cruisers who aren't in your party.
While your chef readies your order, he'll also put on a bit of a performance. The slew of cheesy jokes and tricks — perhaps a beating heart made out of rice or a flying eggshell that he'll catch in his chef's hat — will help to pass the time as you wait for your food.
This is a terrific dinner option if you're traveling with a few friends or children who will enjoy the banter and the show. Reservations are recommended and almost always necessary. Book early, or you could miss out.
Related: 5 reasons you should splurge on a cruise ship specialty restaurant
NCL Teppanyaki menu
To start, everyone is automatically given edamame, miso soup and seaweed salad with ginger dressing.
Beyond those items, the Norwegian Cruise Line Teppanyaki menu is divided into two sections: mains and desserts. Diners choose one from each as part of the cover charge.
Mains come in two varieties: Classic (vegetables or one type of protein) or Combination (two types of protein). The former includes chicken with udon noodles, veggies with udon noodles, seafood (jumbo shrimp, sea scallops and calamari), beef striploin and seasonal vegetables with tofu.
The latter encompasses selections like chicken breast and jumbo shrimp, New York strip loin and jumbo shrimp, New York strip loin and chicken breast, and sea scallops and jumbo shrimp.
All mains are served with garlic fried rice, grilled vegetables and onion and mustard dipping sauces.
For dessert, you'll have a choice of green tea cake with cashew nut brittle or fruit sashimi.
The ship's standard drink menu is available, but the Teppanyaki menu does have two special cocktails. The Shaku Shaku is sake, Chartreuse, cucumber, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. For something a bit sweeter, try the Wasabi Cocktail, a blend of sake, lychee liqueur, fresh lemon and orange juices and grenadine.
NCL Teppanyaki cost
The NCL teppanyaki price is $59 per adult. Children eat free if they order off the ship's regular kids menu. A 20% gratuity will also be added to your bill.
If you have a dining package, you can select one main and one dessert for free, in addition to the appetizers that are served to everyone.
Most drinks cost extra unless you have a beverage package. The restaurant's signature cocktails are $11 each.
Which NCL ships have Teppanyaki?
You can find Teppanyaki or a variation of it on the following Norwegian Cruise Line ships. (Note that on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, it's called Hasuki; the menu is nearly identical to the one at Teppanyaki.)
- Norwegian Breakaway
- Norwegian Bliss
- Norwegian Dawn
- Norwegian Epic
- Norwegian Encore
- Norwegian Escape
- Norwegian Gem
- Norwegian Getaway
- Norwegian Jade
- Norwegian Jewel
- Norwegian Joy
- Norwegian Pearl
- Norwegian Prima
- Norwegian Spirit
- Norwegian Star
- Norwegian Sun
- Norwegian Viva
- Pride of America
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.