Benihana Bangkok Riverside Plaza

Benihana Bangkok Riverside Plaza: The Ultimate Japanese Teppanyaki Experience on the Chao Phraya River

During our stay at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok, right on the Chao Phraya, we decided to spend an evening at this world-famous teppanyaki restaurant on the third floor of Riverside Plaza.

Most people know the concept of teppanyaki. The name Benihana probably rings a bell too. But whether the execution in Bangkok truly lives up to expectations? That was the question on our minds as we took the lift down from our suite at Avani+. The answer came quickly.

Benihana is not the most authentic Japanese restaurant in Bangkok, and that is not the point. This is about experience: great food, a chef who steals the show and an evening you leave with a smile. Looking for a quiet izakaya or a minimalist omakase? Bangkok will point you in the right direction. Looking for an evening where cooking, entertainment and great food come together on the banks of the Chao Phraya? Then Benihana is exactly where you want to be.

Upon arrival we were warmly welcomed. The restaurant looks well put together, with an open layout, beautiful tableware and a pleasant balance between Japanese aesthetics and the warm hospitality that Thailand does so well. Before the chef even appeared, a warm towel was already on the table and a small bowl of edamame was waiting for us. A simple start, but a good one.

Location and Getting There

Benihana is located on the third floor of Riverside Plaza, in the Thonburi district on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. You are not in the middle of the hustle of Sukhumvit or Silom, but in a more relaxed, slightly removed part of the city where the river sets the tone.

From the city centre, the easiest options are Grab, Bolt, taxi or the free shuttle boat from the neighbouring Avani+ Riverside and Anantara Riverside Resort.

The free shuttle runs daily from 08.00 to 23.15 between the Anantara pier and Sathorn Pier at BTS Saphan Taksin, every thirty to sixty minutes. Even better: between 12.25 and 20.25 the shuttle also picks you up at the ICONSIAM pier. Now that is service.

Architecture and design

The interior of Benihana Riverside is clean but warm. Black and red set the tone throughout. The space revolves around the teppanyaki tables: large iron grills where guests sit in a circle and the chef takes centre stage. The lighting is focused and atmospheric, neither too bright nor too dim. Wooden accents, dark tones and subtle Japanese details give the space a contemporary feel that never goes too far.

Atmosphere

Benihana plays deliberately with energy. The evening starts quietly: guests arrive, drinks are poured, the first dishes come to the table. In the background, subtle house music plays, a choice that works surprisingly well and gives the space a modern tone without stealing the attention.

Then the chef steps up to the grill and everything changes. The hiss of the hot iron, the aroma of freshly cooked ingredients, the rhythmic tapping of the spatulas: it draws everyone in naturally. Families, couples and curious hotel guests sit side by side and briefly forget they are at separate tables.

What sustains that atmosphere is the team. Staff who visibly enjoy their work, laugh with each other and collaborate smoothly. At Benihana you sense that this is not a happy coincidence but simply part of who they are. And you feel it as a guest, all evening long.

Service & Hospitality

The team at Benihana works like a well-oiled machine and clearly enjoys what they do. You notice it before the first spatula even touches the grill. The floor staff are friendly, attentive and speak good English without it feeling rushed. Servers, sushi chefs and teppanyaki chefs form a cohesive whole where everyone knows their role.

What stands out is how the chefs fill that role. Our chef combined skill and humour in a completely natural way. Slicing, cracking jokes, spinning, doing a trick and plating all flowed seamlessly into one another, while the dishes were being prepared with genuine precision. No over-the-top circus act, but enough flair to make the evening unforgettable. That combination of technique and personality is exactly what sets Benihana apart from an ordinary Japanese restaurant.

Type of Cuisine

The menu at Benihana is broader than the name suggests. Alongside the teppanyaki experience you will find an extensive sushi and sashimi selection, warm starters and a drinks list featuring Japanese cocktails, sake and Roku Gin. The ingredients are carefully chosen and partly imported directly from Japan, including Kurobuta pork, Hokkaido scallops and Maezawa Iwate Wagyu A4. Japanese traditions, quality produce and a modern presentation come together in a menu that works just as well for a family dinner as for an evening when you really want to indulge.

The Kitchen Team

Benihana Bangkok is part of Benihana Thailand, which operates three locations in Bangkok under the Minor Hotels network via Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. The kitchen team consists of trained teppanyaki chefs who do not just cook but also entertain. That is a craft in itself, and Benihana visibly invests in their training and personal development.

Menu

The menu at Benihana Riverside is extensive but well organised. You can choose from teppanyaki sets, a la carte teppanyaki, sushi, sashimi, hand rolls, starters and desserts. The Prime Experience sets are ideal for anyone who wants to fully immerse themselves in the concept.

Our Own Benihana Experience, April 2026, Staying at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok

We began our evening with a relaxed arrival on the upper floor of Riverside Plaza, just after sunset. We were guided to our own teppanyaki table, normally a table for six, but with just the two of us it worked perfectly. A bowl of edamame was already waiting and on the recommendation of the friendly bartender we started with the Sappari, a fresh mocktail made with Majestic Parody alcohol-free gin, plum, syrup and soda water. A light and bright opener that felt exactly right for what was to come.

We also wanted to try some sushi and a snack, so we ordered a California Roll, a Dragon Roll and Karaage Tori. The sushi was neatly presented and the fried chicken had a beautifully crispy golden crust. The service did get off to a slightly slow start, with dishes arriving with quite a gap between them, which disrupted the flow of the evening a little. Once the teppanyaki session began, however, that was more than made up for.

When Chef Bo, a true teppanyaki-master, introduced himself and took his place at the grill, everything changed. We had gone in with two full teppanyaki-sets and that turned out to be a great call. Every set comes with onion soup, salad, a shrimp appetiser, hibachi vegetables and steamed rice. We swapped the rice for a shared portion of Hibachi Rice, a good decision.

We chose the Shogun’s Feast and the Koji Koji. The Shogun’s Feast combined Australian Tenderloin with Black Tiger Prawns, finished with a garlic butter that filled the grill with an aroma your entire neighbourhood would notice. The Koji Koji took things a step further: Kurobuta pork, Hokkaido scallops and salmon, all three prepared with a lemon butter sauce that tied everything together without anything overpowering the rest.

Hibachi Rice is Benihana’s signature garlic fried rice with egg, prepared right in front of you on the grill. A simple dish with a big impact. The rice absorbs all the flavour of everything cooked before it, and you can taste exactly that.

Chef Bo, magician, comedian and host, did not just cook with precision, he entertained as if he were auditioning for Thailand’s Got Talent. Someone working with genuine passion, that is something you see and feel.

To finish we chose the Hokkaido cheesecake, warm and airy, served with whipped cream, vanilla sauce and fresh berries. The wasabi sponge cake on the side was a fun and tasty detail we had not seen coming.

What truly completed the evening was the feeling that the team was genuinely enjoying themselves too. There was laughter, great teamwork and the service ran smoothly throughout. Those are the details that make the difference between a good restaurant and an evening that stays with you.

We cannot wait to go back to Benihana. If you love Japanese cuisine and enjoy a bit of entertainment with your meal, this is simply a place you have to experience. WE LOVED IT!

Our conclusion

Benihana is not a restaurant where you quietly drift into your own thoughts. And that is exactly the point. The combination of great food, a chef who commands the evening and a team that is visibly all in makes this an experience that goes beyond the plate. The location on the Chao Phraya takes care of the rest.

Is it the most authentic Japanese restaurant in Bangkok? No. Is it an evening you will remember? Absolutely. Whether you come for the Wagyu, the sushi, a birthday or simply because you are in the mood for something fun: Benihana delivers. We will be back, for sure!

What Makes Benihana Riverside Plaza Unique

• Culinary theatre at the table: the chef is cook, entertainer, comedian, entertainer and host all in one.
• Top quality meat, fish and seafood. 
• A broad menu ranging from sushi and sashimi to teppanyaki sets and creative desserts. 
• Great sake and excellent cocktails. 
• Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions.

Tips & Recommendations

• Book in advance, especially on weekends and during public holidays. Tables fill up fast.
• Take the shuttle boat from Anantara if you are staying nearby. Arriving by water gives the evening an instant sense of occasion. 
• The Prime Experience sets offer the best value for anyone who wants the full concept. 
• Benihana is an excellent choice for families with children, couples and business dinners in an informal but stylish setting. 
• Consider combining your visit with a stay at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort or Avani+ Riverside Bangkok.

General information: Benihana Riverside Plaza Bangkok

• Location: Inside Riveside Plaza Bangkok: ชั้น 3, เเขวง, ริเวอร์ไซด์ พลาซ่า, สำเหร่, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600
• Opening hours Lunch: Weekdays from 12 PM – 2:30 PM / Sat & Sun from 12 PM – 3:00 PM
• Opening hours Dinner: Daily from 5 PM – 10:30 PM
• For reservations: call +66 (2)4319 490 or via TableCheck