Is Shogun Hibachi Worth It? Teppanyaki Dining in Forest Hills, Queens
Quick Summary: If you are searching for an energetic group dining spot or solid Japanese hibachi in Central Queens, Shogun Hibachi & Sushi on Queens Boulevard hits the mark. Expect classic teppanyaki flame displays, garlic butter fried rice, and hearty portions of seared steak, shrimp, and lobster. Here is a breakdown of the food, atmosphere, and value.
- Overall Rating: 8.6/10
- Food: 8.4/10
- Service: 9.0/10
- Atmosphere: 8.8/10
- Value: 8.5/10
- My Favorite: Steak & Shrimp Hibachi Combo
- Price: Moderate ($$–$$$)
- Cuisine: Japanese / Teppanyaki / Hibachi / Sushi
- Halal: No (Offers seafood & vegetarian options)
- Best For: Group dinners, birthday celebrations, family outings, and casual date nights
- Good to Know: Weekend hibachi tables fill up quickly; booking a reservation or arriving early is recommended.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 111-16 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375 |
| Neighborhood | Forest Hills, Queens |
| Cuisine | Japanese Hibachi & Sushi |
| Transit Options | E, F, M, or R train to Forest Hills–71st Ave |
| Best Dish | Steak & Shrimp Hibachi Combo with Fried Rice |
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Watch My Video Experience
In my short-form video, you can catch the full teppanyaki grill show in action—from onion volcanoes to high-flame searing!
Why I Visited Shogun Hibachi
I came here with my friends specifically because we wanted the hibachi experience.
For me, that's an important distinction because I wouldn't say the hibachi food itself was the main reason I enjoyed Shogun. The food was decent, but what makes Shogun interesting is that dinner becomes part food and part entertainment.
Instead of having your meal prepared somewhere in the kitchen and brought to your table, the chef prepares it right in front of you. You get to watch the cooking, hear everything sizzling on the grill, see the flames, and interact with the chef throughout the meal.
That made dinner much more fun, especially because I was there with friends.
If you're more interested in Japanese food itself rather than the hibachi show, I also had a great experience at Tenjou in the Flatiron District, where I especially enjoyed the takoyaki.
Atmosphere & Entertainment
The energy builds as soon as your party takes a seat around the communal teppanyaki tables and the chef steps up with spatulas in hand.
The setup consists of large stainless steel flat tops surrounded by bench seating, designed for shared table experiences. You get all the expected teppanyaki elements: high flames shooting up toward the exhaust hoods, egg-juggling tricks, sizzling butter, and interactive sake squirts.
It is lively and loud, making it well-suited for group dinners, birthday gatherings, or family outings.
- Atmosphere Rating: 8.8 / 10
- Service Rating: 9.0 / 10
Location & Getting There
Shogun Hibachi & Sushi is located at:
111-16 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Getting here via public transportation is straightforward:
- Subway: Take the F train to 75 Ave. The restaurant is located right on Queens Boulevard, steps from the station exit.
- Driving & Parking: Metered street parking on Queens Boulevard and side streets can be tight during dinner peak hours. Paid garage parking is available nearby on 71st Avenue.
If you're looking for another restaurant in the same neighborhood, I've also tried Kuku Korean Cuisine in Forest Hills, which is another option for Asian food in this part of Queens.
What I Ordered
We opened the meal with standard hot appetizers before moving to the flat-top mains.
1. Clear Soup & House Salad
The meal starts with the standard broth and salad course. The clear mushroom broth was served hot with sliced mushrooms and scallions, while the salad came crisp with a sharp, fresh ginger dressing.
2. Steamed Shrimp Shumai
Six steamed shrimp dumplings served hot in a ceramic dish. The wrappers held together well, filled with minced shrimp and served with soy dipping sauce. Simple, light, and well-executed starter.
3. Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura
The tempura arrived crisp without holding excess oil. The starter includes battered shrimp alongside fried zucchini and broccoli florets, paired with warm dashi dipping sauce.
4. Coconut Shrimp
Jumbo fried shrimp crusted in shredded coconut, stacked over fried rice noodles, and served with a tangy sweet chili sauce on the side. Crisp exterior with a sweet-and-savory flavor profile.
5. Hibachi Teppanyaki Mains
The central focus of the meal is the live teppanyaki preparation on the grill.
Watching the chef manage different proteins—chicken breast, steak cubes, shelled shrimp, lobster tail, and mixed vegetables—all at once on the flat top is half the fun.
The hibachi egg fried rice and stir-fried lo mein noodles are seasoned generously with soy sauce, garlic, and butter on the grill. Both arrive piping hot with plenty of savory flavor.
My friends ordered the Steak & Shrimp Combo, which was also prepared directly on the grill.
Watching the chef cook several proteins—steak, shrimp, chicken, and lobster—made the whole table part of the experience.
That's really what separates a dinner like this from simply ordering an entrée at another restaurant. You're watching your meal come together from beginning to end.
For my main course, I ordered the Chicken & Lobster Combo with grilled vegetables.
Watching it being prepared was probably more exciting to me than actually eating it.
The chicken and lobster were okay, but they weren't some of the best hibachi food I've had. Flavor-wise, the meal actually reminded me somewhat of the familiar American-Chinese flavors I've had at places like Panda Express.
That's not necessarily a bad thing. The food was enjoyable enough, but I don't want to exaggerate and say the flavors blew me away when they didn't. For me, this was definitely a case where the experience was better than the actual entrée.
Pair your meats and vegetables with their house ginger sauce or creamy mustard sauce for added flavor depth.
Price & Overall Value
- Value Rating: 8.5 / 10
While teppanyaki dining carries higher baseline prices to account for live cooking entertainment, Shogun serves solid portions. Each main entree includes soup, salad, fried rice, noodles, sautéed vegetables, and a generous main protein. Most diners will walk away with leftovers, making the total price point fair for Queens.
How Does It Compare?
Compared to Manhattan hibachi chains like Benihana, Shogun offers a more localized, community feel while matching the core teppanyaki experience. Service moves briskly, and the chefs keep guests engaged throughout the session.
Final Verdict
Overall Rating: 8.6 / 10
Shogun Hibachi in Forest Hills was one of those restaurant visits where I enjoyed the experience more than the main food itself.
The Chicken & Lobster Combo was okay, and I wasn't blown away by the hibachi flavors. But that didn't stop me from having a good time.
Our chef was friendly, entertaining, and made the dinner fun. Watching the flames rise from the grill, seeing everything cooked right in front of us, and trying—and failing—to catch the food he tossed toward me made the night memorable.
Surprisingly, my biggest food highlights were the Coconut Shrimp and Shrimp Shumai.
If you're going with friends or family and want a fun, interactive dinner rather than simply sitting down and eating, I think Shogun is worth considering for the experience.
And yes, I'd go back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Shogun Hibachi take reservations?
Yes, booking a table in advance is recommended for hibachi seating, especially on weekend evenings.
Is there regular seating if I don't want hibachi?
Yes. Shogun has standard dining tables and a sushi bar offering rolls, sashimi, and classic Japanese kitchen dishes[cite: 19, 26].
What train goes to Shogun Hibachi in Forest Hills?
Take the F subway train to 75 Ave. The restaurant is located right on Queens Boulevard.
| Restaurant Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Shogun Hibachi & Sushi |
| Address | 111-16 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375 |
| Cuisine | Japanese / Hibachi / Sushi |
| Best Dish | Steak & Shrimp Hibachi Combo |
| Transit Options | F Train to 75 Ave |
| Overall Rating | 8.6/10 |
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