A STATEN ISLAND INSTITUTION NEARS FOUR DECADES OF FUSING FOOD WITH FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT
BY ERIK SCHONING • PHOTOS BY ALEX BARETTO
In 1986, the Tranchina family launched what would be the first hibachi-style restaurant on Staten Island: Arirang. Today, nearly 40 years later, the high-energy dining concept has since expanded into Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for a total of five Arirang locations throughout the tri-state area, all still operated by the Tranchina family as part of the It’s Our Pleasure Hospitality Group.
Hibachi is the American term for Japanese teppanyaki, a culinary performance technique in which the chef cooks in front of the diner and serves them on the spot. When the Tranchinas were looking to launch their restaurant, they knew they wanted to go with a hibachi concept, which had been gaining steam in the United States since the mid-1960s. In the early days, Arirang focused solely on hibachi, but its menu evolved over time to include sushi dishes and sashimi. “The concept was so novel that we were constantly coming up with new ideas to see what people liked,” Joe Tranchina said. “When we first started serving sushi 30 years ago, guests didn’t even know what it was! We had to give it away for free to entice people to try it.”
Hibachi’s popularity has always been two-fold: flavorful food and lively entertainment. The interaction between the chef and diners is unique; anyone who’s ever spent an evening at a hibachi restaurant knows the special alchemy of comedy, excitement, and cooking flair that goes into each meal. That’s thanks to the chefs, and the team at Arirang works hard to make sure their chefs deliver an entertaining (and delicious) experience for the guests.
One of Arirang’s calling cards is its inviting space. The dimly lit dining rooms and tavern thread the needle between lively group dinners and quieter, more intimate dining. Even more exclusive are their private tables, where a full menu is available, sans the performing chef. Arirang also features a full sushi bar.
The menu itself is comprehensive, running the gamut from more classic Japanese dishes to pan-Asian offerings. There is, for example, yakitori (Japanese skewered chicken) and tempura fried shrimp, but there is also the Chinese bao bun, stuffed with pork belly. And then there are dishes that come closer to a type of fusion: Japanese tacos, served on crispy wonton shells, and tuna pizza, sashimi tuna over guacamole on a crispy flat bread. But the draw here has always been the combination of sushi and hibachi, the contrast between fresh, raw, and light cooking on one hand and grilled, caramelized, and smoky on the other. It’s a spectrum of Japanese cookery, all on one menu.
As one can imagine, nearly 40 years in, Arirang is a part of the fabric of Staten Island. Family-owned and operated since its inception, Arirang has built a loyal following; it’s a long-time fan-favorite destination for birthday celebrations, work dinners, parties. And that’s a testament to the community its founders have created. It’s one thing to serve tasty food, but another feat entirely to build a space where people want to hang out.
“We take pride in being not just a restaurant, but an entertaining family dining experience,” said Marc Tranchina, Joe’s son. “From our family to yours, it’s about more than just food – it’s about creating memories for families and generations to come. We recently introduced karaoke nights in Bay Ridge, every Thursday and Friday night starting at 8 p.m.”
Going forward, the Tranchinas’ goal is simple: to continue providing the same high-quality cuisine and exceptional service that has brought people together around the hibachi table for decades. Yet the goal is not so much to maintain as it is to evolve; along with their chefs, the Tranchinas are always looking to push the envelope, incorporating new dishes into the menu and new tricks into the hibachi chef routine.
Arirang is a Japanese restaurant, but its name is inspired by a Korean word. “Arirang” is a Korean mountain pass, and the restaurant’s name draws loosely on the idea of that pass: the peak, the summit. Everyone at Arirang, from management to the chefs and servers, keeps the idea of the mountain in mind. And nearly 40 years in business with five thriving locations, it’s hard to argue that Arirang isn’t at the top of its game.
Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse
23A Nelson Avenue, Staten Island / 8812-14 4th Avenue, Brooklyn