2024 Restaurant Spotlight: Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Michael and Annie Chou are no strangers to the restaurant industry. The Chous have been in the business for over 25 years, beginning with a Chinese restaurant in Tallahassee, Chou’s Dynasty, before opening their signature restaurant, Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, in Tallahassee in 1998. The Japanese-inspired dining realm was uncharted territory for the region until Mr. Chou introduced hibachi dining to locals and visitors at this new, state-of-the-art restaurant.

While the Japanese Steakhouse concept was new for the Chous, the cuisine was not. Mr. Chou was raised in Taiwan, which was occupied by Japan for 50 years. From the conception of the Chou’s first Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar to the rebuild of the new Tallahassee location in 2020, the Chous have always held true to three primary values: cleanliness, service and quality. This mission has led them to open other Osaka restaurants in the heart of Destin and Pier Park in Panama City Beach.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Osaka offers hibachi, a full-service bar, and Gulf-fresh sushi and sashimi from the expansive sushi bar, which is the heart of each location. Pulling from the contemporary design of authentic Japanese restaurants, each location features koi ponds and tranquil landscaping that is paramount to Asian dining.

Photo by Modus Photography

Even with three different locations and three different managers and staff, the success of all Osaka restaurants is largely due to the employees’ commitment. The head chef in Tallahassee joined the Osaka team shortly after the restaurant opened nearly three decades ago, and the head sushi chef has been with Osaka for 16 years. This type of tenure in the restaurant business is exceedingly rare, but it speaks to the consistency and loyalty the Chous have established in the workplace, as well as a high level of job satisfaction from the employees.

From dining at the sushi bar to watching the Hibachi show, it doesn’t matter where you sit in Osaka; the staff makes all their customers feel like family. A show in itself, the hibachi room is filled with wonder, delight and sizzling meats, making it the perfect space for all special occasions, from birthdays to anniversaries to corporate events, with seating for up to 100 guests. If you’re looking for something more intimate, step inside the gorgeous sushi bar area to witness the meticulous handcrafted rolls filled with fresh-caught seafood and farm-fresh ingredients, rolled by the best in the business. The expansive menu at each location allows guests to try something new every time they visit, along with ever-changing sushi specials offered monthly.

Over the years, Osaka has won numerous awards, including Best Sushi and Best Hibachi from the readers of Tallahassee Magazine and Best Asian Restaurant, Best Sushi and Best Hibachi by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine. They’ve also been voted as the Best in Destin for Asian Cuisine by VIP Destin Magazine.

Visit OsakaHibachiAndSushi.com to find out more about booking your reservation for lunch, dinner or your next special occasion. Find Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with current specials, events and more.

Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

1489 Maclay Commerce Drive, Tallahassee 

(850) 900-5149  |  (850) 531-0222  |  theosakasteakhouse.com