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Photograph by Skye Dunlap

The chefs at Kingswood Teppan Steak House specialize in 'teppanyake,' an interactive, knife-juggling style of cooking that originated in Japan.

Volcanic onion fuels show at Kingswood restaurant

By Eric Drudis

It's the only restaurant in Cupertino with three different menus, says Peggy Ching, manager of the traditional Japanese restaurant Kingswood Teppan Steak House.

"If one person doesn't like shabu shabu [soup] and another doesn't like traditional Japanese food, they can still eat together," Ching says.

The third option is the restaurant's specialty--teppanyake, an interactive style of cooking that involves a volcanic onion, knife juggling and an amazed audience. According to Ching, teppanyake-style cooking is common in Japan. Chefs cook the entire meal on large, heated tables while talking to patrons.

"All the children like teppanyake because the chef makes a show and everyone laughs," Ching says. "They are very good cooks and the show is a lot of fun. It is cute."

Kingswood Teppan Steak House opened May 10 to "very busy" business, Ching says. The original restaurant is in Los Angeles, but Ching, along with most of the chefs and waiters, moved to Cupertino to help at the new restaurant.

"There is nothing like this in Cupertino," Ching says. "You can get anything you want here."

Shabu shabu, a soup that can be ordered spicy or mild, is partly cooked by patrons, Ching says. The restaurant also prepares traditional Japanese food such as teriyaki chicken or beef.

But only teppanyake comes with front row seats to the chef's cooking--and the fiery onion Ching says reminds her of a volcano.

"It is very exciting to watch," she says. "There are many flames and everyone claps." The onion is later immersed in a large plate of beef, pork, chicken, fish or mushrooms.

All meals come with rice, dessert, salad and miso soup. Ching says many people order either filet mignon or New York steak, both with shrimp or scallops. Pearl Ice Tea, watermelon and kiwi juices, and hot or cold sake are popular accompaniments.

There is usually only a few minutes wait between ordering and the beginning of the meal, and waiters say they try to get the food out as quickly as possible.

During lunch, many businessmen from the surrounding area stop by Kingswood Teppan Steak House, Ching says. During dinner, she says the restaurant is very family-oriented and the chefs try to keep children--and adults--entertained. They juggle their utensils, toss food onto plates and talk to customers.

"People should have fun eating," Ching says.

A typical lunch costs between $6 and $20; dinner costs between $10 and $30.

Kingswood Teppan Steak House is located in Cupertino at 10935 N. Wolfe Road in the Cupertino Village. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch; 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for dinner. For reservations or information, call 408/255-5928.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, July 15, 1998.
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