Manager Jung Moon works behind the full-service bar and manages at Shogun of Southlake. Manager Jung Moon works behind the full-service bar and manages at Shogun of Southlake.[/caption]

At Shogun Sushi & Hibachi in Southlake, the curtain is always being raised. The entertainment starts with each customer’s order.


The Japanese cuisine is served with 3-foot-high flames, the flash of knives and spatulas, and flying vegetables and meats.


“We do it like it is a show, with every chef having his own style,” Manager Jung Moon said. “Lots of customers will request a certain chef because of their style. One chef is really fast, so if the customer is in a hurry at lunch, they might ask for him. Some of the chefs really talk a lot, and many of the customers like to enjoy conversation as their meal  is cooked.”


Moon said Friday and Saturday nights are always busy at the hibachi tables, and customers without reservations usually have to wait for a few minutes at Shogun’s fully stocked bar. At lunch, however, the focus of most customers is the sushi bar. Moon says most of these customers come from nearby businesses.


Though one can find Shogun restaurants in almost every big Texas city, each is individually owned, and the owner of the Southlake restaurant is Moon’s father, Hee.


The term  shogun originated around the year 1200 and was used to designate military governors who were appointed by the Japanese emperor. In the food industry the term has come to represent a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine in an entertaining style as chefs aim to dazzle customers with samurai-like workmanship as they skillfully slice, dice, juggle and banter.


Shogun of Southlake opened in 2004, though there have been several ownership changes. The Moon family took over operations three years ago.


The showtime approach, Moon said, creates happy customers because they get to enjoy watching their food being prepared and cooked.


“We rarely have any complaints about the food from the customers because they get to see it made,” Moon said. “If they think it is a little too rare, they ask for it to be cooked a little longer. If they don’t want a seasoning, they say so. If they want something added, they just ask for it. It works out great for everyone.”


While the chefs work on entertaining and cooking, Moon said he concentrates on providing them with the best and freshest ingredients he can find. He said he is proud of Shogun’s slogan: “Best Japanese Cuisine in Southlake.”


Shogun Sushi & Hibachi


2970 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake
817-749-0300
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-10:30 p.m.; Sat. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-10:30 p.m.; Sun. noon-9 p.m.