What Does "Teriyaki" Actually Mean?
The word teriyaki (照り焼き) is a combination of two Japanese words: teri (照り), meaning "lustre" or "glaze," and yaki (焼き), meaning "grill" or "broil." So teriyaki literally means "glazed grilling" — a cooking method, not just a sauce.
The Origins
Teriyaki as a technique dates back to the 1600s in Japan, during the Edo period. It was originally used for fish — the Japanese would grill fish and brush it with a glaze of soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), and sugar. The glaze would caramelise on the grill, creating that signature glossy finish.
The technique was later applied to chicken, beef, and other proteins, and by the mid-20th century, teriyaki had become one of Japan's most recognisable cooking styles.
Teriyaki Goes Global
In the 1960s and 70s, Japanese cuisine began spreading internationally, and teriyaki was at the forefront. It was accessible, familiar (grilled meat with a sweet sauce), and easy to love. But as teriyaki spread, it also changed — many Western versions replaced mirin with corn syrup, added garlic and ginger, and turned the glaze into a thick, cloyingly sweet sauce.
How We Do It at Teriyaki Express
At Teriyaki Express, we make our teriyaki sauce the traditional way — soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, reduced to a glossy glaze. No preservatives, no corn syrup, no shortcuts. We make it fresh, in-house, every single day.
Our proteins are grilled, not pan-fried, which gives the sauce a chance to caramelise against the hot grill — exactly as it was done in 17th-century Japan. The result is a teriyaki that tastes like teriyaki should: savoury, sweet, glossy, and perfectly balanced.
The Teriyaki Family
We apply our house-made teriyaki sauce to a range of proteins:
- Chicken (thigh, grilled) — the classic
- Beef (slow-cooked slices with onion)
- Fish (crispy battered Basa)
- Tofu (fresh, fried crispy)
- Salmon (grilled Tasmanian)
Each is available as a donburi (rice bowl) or bento (complete lunch box), and the teriyaki chicken and beef are also available over udon noodles.
Why the Sauce Matters
The sauce is everything in teriyaki. A bad sauce — too sweet, too thick, too artificial — ruins the dish. A good sauce enhances the protein, adds umami, and creates that irresistible glossy finish. That's why we've never changed our recipe. It works, it's authentic, and our customers can taste the difference.
Taste real teriyaki at Raine Square.
