The word teppanyaki literally means 'to grill on an iron plate' and is derived from teppan, meaning iron plate, and yaki, meaning grilled, roasted or fried. Anything you can think of can be prepared on the teppanyaki plate. If you have ever been to Japan, you will know that they also prepare rice, miso soup and eggs on the Teppanyaki. In the Western world, the teppanyaki plate is mainly used for grilling meat, fish or vegetables.