What is Hibachi?

In the West, Hibachi is a small, portable grill inspired by Japanese shichirin. In Japanese, Hibachi is actually a form of heating, traditionally used to warm up the room in winter. Like many borrowed concepts and words, Hibachi evolved as it spread through the Pacific Ocean. It can be a source of confusion for people who turn to Japan and the west, because the term is used so differently. In both senses, etymology is the same because hi means "fire" in Japanese, while Bachi is a bowl, so hibachi is a bowl that holds a fire or a "fiery bowl". The concept of a large coal heater was imported from China at some point in Japanese history, probably around 1000 NL. Soon Hibachis was made of wood lined with clay, while more complex and decorative hibachis began with appear with decorative ornaments, varnish and gold leaf. In addition to heating the room, traditional Hibachi could be used to keep a pot of tea or a plate of food warm.

In the sense of the grill, Hibachi is a small grill with an open style made by placing a robust grill over a container, which can be oval, square or rectangular. The container is used to hold coal for cooking as well as a bowl full of grill. In order to be called real hibachi, the grill must be at least seemingly portable and small grills are often often carried on camping trips for use as an outdoor stove. Hibachis has no lids and can be used to grill a wide range of foods from vegetable kebabs to chicken and fish cuts.

Building materials used for hibachis differ. High quality stoves will be made of cast iron, which makes them robust, albeit much less portable. Cheaper versions of a can and steel are also Available, although they are less durable. In both cases, traditional fuel is coal, although some Hibachis are fired for comfort.

Many restaurants use hibachis to flameI or the completion of food because they are small enough to be used without being a danger to dinner, and many guests like to watch their food cook. Japanese restaurants in the United States can refer to their shichirins as Hibachis to avoid confusion. Whatever they call, small grilling stoves play an important role in Japanese cooking, which focuses very much on fresh, perfectly cooked ingredients.