Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Benihana Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended October 9­­, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Richard C. Stockinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

   /s/ Richard C. Stockinger

   Richard C. Stockinger

   President and Chief Executive Officer

   November 16, 2011