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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 jOWGn7EH/8ytc7xFO8zUXw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001188112-10-002012.txt : 20100805
<SEC-HEADER>0001188112-10-002012.hdr.sgml : 20100805
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100805130529
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001188112-10-002012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100803
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100805
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100805

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEVAN ALAN B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001199943

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26396
		FILM NUMBER:		10993618

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2100 W. CYPRESS CREEK RD.
		CITY:			FT LAUDERDALE
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33309

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:			0330

	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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-08-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000935226</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BENIHANA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BNHN/BNHNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199943</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEVAN ALAN B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BENIHANA INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>8685 NW 53RD TERRACE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33166</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-08-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.7969</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person purchased these shares in the open market on August 3, 2010 at prices ranging from $6.48 per share to $6.93 per share. The reporting person undertakes to provide, upon request by the Staff of the Securities Exchange Commission, the issuer, or any shareholder of the issuer, full information regarding the number of shares purchased at each purchase price.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Alan B. Levan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-08-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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