How to go
What: Jason’s Japanese Hibachi Express
When: 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: 516 East State St., Trenton
More info: (513) 428-0666 or trentonweb.com/jasonshibachi
TRENTON — The word is out and it’s spreading — from recent customers, from websites like Trenton Talk and beyond: Jason’s Japanese Hibachi Express, in Trenton, owned by Jason Chen, is serving delicious authentic Japanese food — and he’s serving it fast.
That’s the whole idea, said Chen, who is the chef and owner.
Chen, a Chinese native and an American citizen, said he has the only authentic Japanese food restaurant within a 15-mile radius of Trenton.
It’s the first restaurant he’s owned — a dream come true — but it’s not the first restaurant where he’s worked.
Chen’s specialty is the Hibachi-style (grill) cooking; and he uses this method to cook nearly everything in his restaurant.
“My (professional expertise) is hibachi-style cooking,” the owner said. “Before I opened this restaurant, for nearly 13 years I cooked hibachi-style at Fuji Steakhouse in Bridgewater Falls, at my sister’s Chinese restaurant in Hamilton, and in Japanese restaurants in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.”
Although Jason’s Japanese Hibachi Express has only been open for about four months, Chen, a hardworking chef and businessman, already has developed a new menu.
“I want to please the people,” said Chen. And he does.
Chen listened to customers and added numerous food selections to make the new menu even better.
For example, instead of six appetizers on the menu, now there are nine.
He added Beef Yakitori, Bang Bang Chicken and Bang Bang Shrimp.
Chen said that Bang Bang Shrimp, which is served in his own special, slightly spicy sauce, already is a customer favorite.
Customers also requested Teriyaki dinners to be added to the new menu. The first menu had none; the new menu has five.
On the new menu, Chen offers 15 Hibachi entrees served with fried rice and lightly-fried veggies such as onion, zucchini, carrots and broccoli.
When dining in the restaurant, customers also get a salad served with the hibachi meal.
The most popular Hibachi entree is the steak, chicken and shrimp meal. And no wonder.
Recently, while Chen grilled each food item, he quickly and expertly splashed on cooking wine, a dash of salt and red pepper, soy and teriyaki sauce.
Chef Chen’s personal favorite is talapia. But he said that the best meal for the price is Steak Hibachi.
“Most Japanese steakhouses charge $16 or $18 for Steak Hibachi. I serve it for $7.99, so it’s a great value meal,” said Chen.
In addition to side items and eight selections of fried rice and noodles, Chen’s new menu offers 15 selections of Sushi.
“People like the Yummy roll. It has shrimp tempura, cucumber inside, and spicy tuna on top,” said Chen.
Jason’s Japanese Hibachi Express also offers lunch specialties, which are even more inexpensive than the dinners.
And the portions are huge.
This friendly, family-oriented restaurant is a good fit for Chen, who’s working hard to bring his wife and child from China to Trenton.
About the Author