Have you been to a hibachi restaurant lately? The price per person for one of these meals has gone way up! While rice and veggies are often abundant and two meals can be made, I figured I would attempt stir-fry at home.

I've seen social posts of people using their blackstones to make it the way chef's would in Japanese Steakhouses, but all you really need is a wok. Woks are deep rounded pans with tall sides to aid in the cooking, steaming, frying, and braising of foods. The taller sloped sides aid in even cooking and allow for easier flipping and tossing of ingredients. Tossing is an art-form in itself that I have not mastered, so no worries if you can't either!

Stir-fry recipes are often simple with minimal ingredients. Depending on the sauce and textures you like, you may need to invest in a few bottles of chine'/ Japanese items like sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and rice vinegar. These items are the base for most hibachi sauces; including the base of my favorite Sesame Chicken. 

One thing I like about such meals is that they are also easy to make with minimal effort. Cook your meat, add in your veggies, and create your sauce. I've often used a mix of honey, sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar to create a sweeter hibachi type sauce. It doesn't take that long to cook, either! If you remember to take your meat out before work, that makes it even easier!

For such examples of some of my favorites, head over to the Taste of Home or All Recipes for amazing options. I often substitute things, using what I have at home, rather than going out and purchasing completely new items. Just like ketchup and oil some of these items have become part of my regular grocery routine so that I have them on hand.

Of course, no hibachi meal can be complete without the fried rice. And yum yum sauce. I've found some decent bottled yum yum sauces from my grocery store. I prefer Makoto's, but there are several brands out there for you to test out! I struggle with making rice in general, so I often skip the fried rice and just steam minute rice in the microwave, which I know is a cop out, but I want edible easy food!

Your next date night or special family meal doesn't have to be expensive. Test out new recipes at home-even the ginger dressing for the salad!

What's your favorite hibachi type sauce?