MIYABI, I am told, is Japanese for “elegance”. It is sometimes used to refer to a heart-breaker.

In Lancaster, it is also translated as “that little restaurant near Sainsbury’s with the scary looking sushi pictures in the window.”

Undaunted, or at least not frightened enough to turn back, I ventured inside to test it out. Nigiri, sushi, makimono. Bring it on.

After walking through beaded curtains, my friend and I were led to a large Teppanyaki table.

These steel constructions heat up to roaring temperatures to allow Miyabi’s chefs to cast culinary spells before your eyes.

They toss rice into the air, and flip beef, egg and vegetables like a gymnastic display. It is magic to watch.

I wasn’t sure what to order and, although the menu is translated, it is like nothing you will find in a pub. I picked some of everything.

First, I tried teppanyaki soba noodles, a hot soupy dish with a deep oriental flavour.

Then we ate kappa-maki — dainty rolls of rice containing cucumber and wrapped in seaweed — with endamame — boiled and salted soy beans.

After that came agadeshi tofu, a dish that woke up my mouth and reminded me there are new flavours out there, even for cynical, raisin-like adults to discover.

There was more to come and waiting for each dish to arrive was exciting. I loved it all.

My highlight was maguro sushi — raw tuna in a very fresh, light sauce. It was like nothing I have ever eaten before.

The chefs have a great sense of humour and while we were there they even flicked a few ingredients off their hot plates and into the mouths of restaurant regulars.

I felt it was pricey — our food bill came to £45 — but worth it for the experience. Miyabi’s food offers an oriental shake-up of dusty tastebuds.