A new development in the microcosm of Indianian Japanese cuisine is the planned opening of Oki Hibachi Express, a quaint restaurant placed only a block west from the intersection of McKinely Avenue and North Main Street. The ostensible and likely eventual opening of Oki is such a new development, anything that lies outside of that headline settles closer to conjecture. Aside from the street-side placard abetting a swift launch with the words "Coming Soon", the details are thin, few, and far between.
That is, little is known aside from its titular claim to fame as a one-stop shop for "hibachi". Even then, the exact identity of Oki is far from clear. As Wikipedia amiably reveals, the word "hibachi" (火鉢) literally means "fire(火) pot(鉢)" but is more soundly described in English as a charcoal "brazier". What keeps this little store behind the curtain is a pejoration of language. Traditionally, a hibachi has been no more associated with a particular segment of food than a modern day microwave has been with heating one's home.
The United States of America's estimation of the term has come (albeit without fair reason) to describe the style of theatric teppanyaki preparation made famous by the Benihana chain of restaurants, or, more commonly, a kind of Japanese barbecue that employs completely different hardware. Taking all of this into account, it's probably safe to say the food of Oki Hibachi Express will be hot and fast. But, at the same time, it isn't rare for other Japanese steak houses, such as the local Hana Yori of Japan, to carry a full sushi menu beside entrees that are little more well-done. Most other "hibachi express" hybrids wear this dichotomy like a pressed suit, but where Oki will take it has yet to be seen.
With a path that forks into at least three different directions, what exactly lies behind the doors of Oki Hibachi Express is sure to remain anyone's guess until "coming soon" becomes "going fast".
