Banzai Japanese Restaurant
| Address: | 3690 Quakerbridge Rd, Trenton, NJ 08619, USA |
| Phone: | +1 609-587-0454 |
| Site: | banzaitrenton.com |
| Rating: | 3.7 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–10:30PM 11:30AM–10:30PM 3–9:30PM |
Location
Photos 14
Reviews 12
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A Private User
A Quakerbridge Road institution since the mid-1980s, Banzai Japanese Restaurant still delivers the good over 20 years after it first opened. The first Japanese Hibachi restaurant in the Trenton area, Banzai introduced traditional Japanese cuisine and culture to the region. Childen growing up in the 1980s always jumped at the chance the watch a spirited, humourous teppanyaki chef prepare their dinner right before their eyes, while having shrimp or zucchini tossed in their mouths. Plus, while othe hibachi restaurants give you a bowl of salad to accompanuy your meal, Banzai has a salad bar that gives the customer the opportunity to pick and choose their veggie of choice (plus make return trips!). In addition, noodles (or lo mein) are included in the hibachi dinner, while it is usually an "add-on" elsewhere. We have been going to Banzai Japanese Restaurant since I was 13 (I just turned 36 in March 2009), so it is a tradition, one that never gets old and never fails to please. The atmosphere is dark and festive on the hibachi level, while couples or business associates will go downstairs for the sushi chef. You also had the option to slip off your shoes and take to floor seating in a private washitsu (or tatami) room for traditional cuisine like teriyaki or sukiyaki. What remains a treat is that Banzai has never gone downhill at any point. Like a fine wine, they improve with age without losing their charm as a Mercer County institution. Birthdays are a delight, as the owner will come out with a platter of pineapple, ask all attendees to hole hands, and give three cheers of "BANZAI", an Eastern Asian phrase meaning "ten thousand years" as in live long and good health (not to be confused with "banzai charge," an attack applied during WWII - obviously not meant for American restaurant goers!). The food is simply delicious from start to finish, and there is a LOT of it. Rarely will one leave there feeling famished. In addition, the staff are friendly and courteous.
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Melissa Dungao
AWFUL Experience at Banzai. I had received a coupon for a free meal that I had won in a drawing from their online email system. The note stated "Bring in Photo ID". So when I came in, not only was there a 15 minute wait and a push to go to the "sushi" room (which is NOT good so we declined); but on top of it all, after showing them the email with my name, they refused to honor the meal coupon? They rudely stated "You have to print it out" when NOWHERE on the email did it state this. Additionally, the place is just DIRTY, my boyfriend looked at me and said, "Lets get outta here." Such a shame, I was looking forward to quality hibachi and got poor service and a very dirty location instead - stay FAR AWAY, there are other places that are MUCH better. Terrible place.
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A Private User
Never again!!! Yesterday my family and I decided to google a japanese restaurant near Six Flags and found Banzai. The food was so salty and greasy , the kids even noticed . I asked the chef what the sauce was because he was pouring so much of it into our food, he reply to me it was a " secret sauce" OMG!!! I found out that it as pure soy sauce! I I do not like my kids intaking too much soy sauce .I have never had hibachi that bad. Worst of all the food was not worth it and they even added their own tip to my credit card!!!They were a very expensive bad experience!!!!
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jack johan
I would have to say that the hibachi available in this place is absolutely amazing. I did made a reservation for a family party at this restaurant. The food here is good and cheap. Everything was delicious and amazing. I ordered the Chicken and Shrimp Hibachi combo, and the shrimp was possibly the best part of the meal. It was done but not over done, with some nice searing on the sides. I liked the service most. I recommend others to make their first reservation for dinner or birthday party. I’m willing to plan next dinner party on this restaurant.
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Jamie Hague
Love this place! Have been going here for years, and its always a fun time doing hibachi. I usually get the "Dinner for 2" because you get a little bit of everything - shrimp, filet, and chicken. **Tip - If you are paying cash, the Dinner for 2 is $10 cheaper! ($45 compared to $55) Its a great deal. It comes with a clear soup, salad bar, entree, and ice cream. Ive been to other hibachi places, and this place is by far the best in taste. Always order extra noodles! Youll thank me later.
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Paul Monteleone
Extensive hibachi grill items cooked on flat top grill to order. Typically served in groups of 6-10 people for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended, includes a bar and downstairs sushi bar with dining seating. Authentic sushi chefs and friendly staff. Tends to be very crowded on weekends, very loud as well. Readily accessable parking. Is closed between lunch and dinner seatings. BYOB is okay. Prices are higher than a typical Japanese restaurant.
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charles juliff
I am a life long customer and I went to eat here with my family and was very surprised that they are now charging for refills!! The cups are like kids size and they do not tell you that you have to pay for refills we paid $17.00 for sodas!! The carpets are so dirty in there.. As we were in the I parking lot Leaving one of the cooks were cutting the grass in there apron the cooks were pursue
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Steven Figueiredo
Worst place ever. Ever see the Seinfield episode about "holding" the reservation? This place does not know how to hold reservations. We were trapped like cattle with what seemed like 100 other people at the bar/lobby waiting for 2 hours plus for our "reserved" table with a raffle ticket that were were given for our seats upon arrival. We called it quits after two hours. Worst place ever.
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A Private User
I used to love going here for Sashimi and once in awhile the grill, but I would not feed my dog food from this place now. Last time there felt sick after eating Sushi/Sashimi for two. Think they were using older fish as kind of strange texture. Also the soup was like dishwater. Dont know what is going on there, but never again for us. If I could give 0 stars I would
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A Private User
We went there on New Years Eve. It s fully booked when we got there. Was excited to try the Hibachi but found the chef flavored everything with ONLY soy sauce, salt, pepper. The food tasted boring, not special except for the chefs special tricks that caught peoples attention. Furthur more, like most other asian restaurants in the region, its floor is greasy and dirty.
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Carmen Hymes
The food here is good and inexpensive. You get all the frills of hibachi grill and not all the over inflated prices. The decor is "meh". The only thing that was gross was the salad bar, oh and I wouldnt eat the sushi there - just saying... service was just "Ok", wasnt bad, the ladies at the bar are super friendly though.
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Cubby Altobelli
Not really sure how the food tastes, because they gave our reservation away. We waited for an HOUR, putting up with the very rude staff, before giving up and finding much better food an service less than five minutes up the road at Elements of Asia. Do yourself a favor and go there instead. I will NEVER return.
