Tokyo Hibachi Catering — Local services in Woodland Park

Review for Tokyo Hibachi Catering – Backyard Hibachi (June 21, 2025)

I booked Tokyo Hibachi Catering on May 4, 2025, for a backyard event with 12 guests, scheduled for June 21 at 5:00 PM. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet expectations.

The chef didn’t officially arrive until 5:01 PM—the exact time the service was supposed to begin. According to the company’s policy, that’s when the cooking should start, not when setup begins. However, after reviewing our Ring camera footage, I saw a missed notification from 4:30 PM showing that the chef had briefly stopped by the front door. It seems he didn’t realize everyone was already gathered in the backyard and, rather than checking further, he left.

He later explained that he hadn’t realized our order included lobster. Upon realizing the oversight, he ran to a local market shortly before the event in hopes of finding some—but had no luck. He ended up substituting it with shrimp and told us we’d be reimbursed for the price difference. While we appreciated the explanation, this was still disappointing. We had booked the event weeks in advance and were repeatedly reminded via email to confirm our order, with a strict policy that no changes could be made within seven days of the event. Given those reminders, it was frustrating that a key item like lobster was missed on their end.

We had also specifically requested a chef named Sean when booking, but a different chef arrived without any prior notice. He never introduced himself, didn’t provide any guidance on what to expect, and skipped some of the small, polished touches—like the signature hibachi flag on the grill and the chef hat—that are featured in the company’s promotional materials.

While the food was tasty and the entertainment was okay, it lacked the fire tricks and guest interaction that we were looking forward to. The performance felt minimal and impersonal.

The biggest letdown, however, was the rushed nature of the service. Tokyo Hibachi advertises a service duration ranging from 60 to 90 minutes depending on group size. With 12 guests, we expected to fall closer to the 90-minute end. Instead, the chef arrived at 5:01 PM, quickly set up, cooked, and was completely packed up and gone by 6:15 PM—barely over an hour. When we asked about the timing, he mentioned that he had another event scheduled after ours and even suggested that we should book later appointments in the future to avoid feeling rushed. That comment reinforced the sense that our event was just a slot in a busy schedule, rather than a special experience.

Overall, while the food was good, the lack of preparation, communication, and engagement made this feel like a stripped-down version of what was promised. I’m unlikely to book again or recommend them based on...

We had an amazing experience with Tokyo Hibachi Catering! I’ve always wanted to have a backyard hibachi party and this company came through and exceeded every expectation I had. Everything was done completely smoothly and we did not have to worry about a thing. They set up and clean up their grill and all the supplies they bring for you.

Chef Randy brought so much fun and energy to our experience! He was engaging, funny, and entertaining! He had us laughing the whole time and really captured everyone’s attention. He is also fantastic with kids and made sure my 5 year old stepson was included in the fun.

If I haven’t sold you by now, wait until you try the food! The food was absolutely incredible. I was very impressed with the sushi boat. The sushi was so fresh and came with an abundance for the nine adults. Not a single sushi roll was left behind. The actual hibachi food was well prepared and seasoned perfectly. And they do not skimp out on the portions! We were very well fed. Lots and lots of protein, veggies, rice, and noodles. Everyone can preorder the protein and sides they want a week before the dinner. The proteins we had were steak, chicken, shrimp, and scallops. We also added lobster tails and filet mignon for us to share and I was super impressed how well Chef Randy prepared that for us. It was phenomenal. We actually had so many leftovers because they really come prepared with giant portions. I was happy to have leftovers for lunch the next day.

This was absolutely well worth everything. We had an absolute blast! And who doesn’t love hibachi? This is a great idea for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events, bachelorette/bachelor parties, graduations, any occasion really! I loved the convenience and comfort of having this dining experience right in my backyard. I would absolutely love to do this again and would 100% use Tokyo...

Five Stars! An Unforgettable Hibachi Experience with Chef Sean

We recently had the absolute pleasure of hosting Chef Sean for a backyard hibachi night, and it was nothing short of amazing! From the moment he arrived, Sean brought great energy, professionalism, and a true passion for what he does. He transformed our yard into a lively, delicious, and entertaining dining experience that everyone is still raving about.

Not only was the food incredible—perfectly cooked steak, chicken, shrimp, and veggies, all seasoned to perfection—but Sean’s showmanship took the evening to the next level. He had us all laughing with his fun tricks and engaging personality, and he made sure every guest felt included and entertained. The classic hibachi fire show, onion volcano, and flying shrimp were crowd favorites!

Sean was also incredibly organized and respectful of our space. He set up and cleaned up everything seamlessly, making it completely stress-free for us as hosts.

If you’re considering booking a private hibachi chef, do yourself a favor and go with Sean. He’s talented, personable, and truly made our event special. We can’t wait to...