Le’Bachi Yaki is not a Cajun name, but it’s becoming as natural a part of Lafayette as any Boudreaux or Thibodeaux. What, or who, is a Le’Bachi Yaki anyway? It turns out that it means delicious dinner and entertainment delivered right to your own home!
Chef Loi Le and his wife Bonnie Le are all about Hibachi, and Chef Le’s own description of his job may be a first for Lafayette – Private Hibachi Chef. And as for the name? Chef Le explains, “Well coming up with our name was actually pretty simple; we wanted something different, but we also wanted it to reflect us. Le is our last name, Chef Loi Le and Wife Bonnie Le. Bachi is a short way to say Hibachi, and Yaki is for the amazing TeriYAKI sauce that Chef Le makes. So that is how Le’Bachi Yaki was born.” All right, now it makes sense.
Chef Le and Mrs. Le own a custom, commercial hibachi grill and take it to kitchens all around Acadiana. Chef will cook an entire hibachi meal for you and your guests, complete with all the entertaining tricks that make hibachi not only a meal, but a special experience. If you have never enjoyed hibachi, it is a cooking method based in Japanese cuisine that uses a grill or flat-top grill to cook meats, vegetables, fried rice, and other delicious dishes. What makes it so fun is not only the great food, but the chef’s skills. Flipping, turning, bouncing, building, and scattering the food with the deft swiftness of an expert is something to behold, and don’t be surprised if the chef flips a shrimp or two right into your mouth. It’s like dinner theater, and with Chef Le’s service, you can have all of that right in your own kitchen.
The Les are not originally from Lafayette. Chef Le was born in Boston and grew up in Pensacola. His family had a shrimping business, but when Hurricane Ivan destroyed their shrimping boat, they chose to move to Louisiana to start a blue crabbing business in Lyia, Iberia Parish.
Chef Le met his wife, Bonnie, after the move. When she told him that potato salad goes in gumbo (which I heartily agree with), he knew it was love. And he knew that Louisiana was truly his new home.
“I love Lafayette, I love the people, and most importantly, the food,” says Chef.
Running the hibachi grill is no small feat but requires culinary skills as well as great showmanship and the ability to interact with an audience. Having worked for several Asian restaurants, Le had a chance to learn to cook hibachi, and he took the risk. He never looked back, and hibachi is one of his true, great passions. What does he love the most about his work?
Le’Bachi Yaki is a labor of love; we source everything from the produce, to trying to get our meats local when we can, and making all of our own sauces which we also have started selling to order. We truly love what we do and can’t wait to share with everyone in Acadiana and beyond.
“I love that you can entertain and feed your guests, while putting your own flair on your show and how it’s cooked.”
When asked why he specifically chose his hibachi to-go model, Chef Le explains: “After being in the restaurant business for over 20 years, I’ve always been limited on the amount of time and the quality I am able to give to my guests. We have been thinking of the idea of food trucks, but we wanted to do something different. And since we love to cook and entertain around here, I thought, ‘Let me bring hibachi home.’ I love putting on a show that engages everyone at the table and serving them a meal they won’t forget. My wife and I decided to finally step up and make it happen.”
What is on Chef Le’s menu? The client can choose the main protein from a mouthwatering selection of chicken, shrimp, steak, filet, scallops, and lobster. Did someone say scallops and lobster? I am drooling already. All meals come with their delicious, homemade soup and a refreshing salad with ginger dressing. Rice and vegetables are also included, and guests can also add noodles if they prefer. It’s a complete and filling meal. What’s the secret that brings the meal all together? It’s Chef Le’s special, homemade teriyaki sauce.
Guests do not need to worry about setting up or breaking down – the Les do it all. “We bring everything from the custom grill, tables, chairs, plates, silverware, and décor. From setup to cleanup, we take care of every detail. Even the to-go boxes for any leftovers.”
It is a no-hassle process meant for the pure enjoyment of the clients. Clients range from intimate, private dinners in people’s homes, to office parties, to everything in between. They can accommodate seating for 25 people. They also have a buffet option for very large gatherings.
Chef Le and Bonnie started their business recently, in November of 2022, but they have been busy. December was busy for Christmas parties, and they continue to cook for football parties, birthdays, and family dinners.
Chef’s personal favorite dish is the scallops, which are sea scallops from Cape Cod, the nice, big, juicy ones that taste just like the sweet, salty ocean. They have no plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant. First, their business model is unique, and the only such business in Lafayette (according to my current research). Second, they have so much fun doing it that they just want to continue.
It is evident that Chef Le and Bonnie really love and enjoy their business. He says, “Le’Bachi Yaki is a labor of love; we source everything from the produce, to trying to get our meats local when we can, and making all of our own sauces which we also have started selling to order. We truly love what we do and can’t wait to share with everyone in Acadiana and beyond.”
If you love the hibachi experience and want to try something unique, give Chef Le a try. He is an experienced, skilled hibachi chef with a delicious menu, all the tricks that make a hibachi dinner so fun, and his own proprietary, homemade teriyaki sauce. What could be better?
You can reach Le’Bachi Yaki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call them at 337-380-7947.