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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 ANiLVAA3Zo3zDecn2VS+rF08VYT7TIucNiWGtxcDzftPkMI8K2RUqLuUNNEppVMY
 bv4C+VhetV0ItLJdiPM04A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000935226-03-000022.txt : 20030717
<SEC-HEADER>0000935226-03-000022.hdr.sgml : 20030717
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030717144520
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000935226-03-000022
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030605
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030717

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SANO YOSHIHIRO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001253782

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26396
		FILM NUMBER:		03791081

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8685 NW 53 TERRANCE
		STREET 2:		STE 201
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33166

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENIHANA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000935226
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				650538630
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0328

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8685 NW 53RD TERRACE
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33166
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3055930770

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8685 NW 53RD TERRACE
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33166
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>yoshihirosanof3200307_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   04/22/03  TZ    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-06-05</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000935226</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BENIHANA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BNHN/BNHNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
      <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001253782</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SANO YOSHIHIRO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
       </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <derivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Option to Buy</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>13.22</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2003-06-05</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-06-05</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>5000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeSecurity>
   <footnotes>
<footnote id="F1"> One-third currently exercisable; one-third exercisable 6/5/04; one-third exercisable 6/5/05.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Yoshihiro Sano</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-07-17</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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