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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000935226-04-000002.txt : 20040114
<SEC-HEADER>0000935226-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20040114
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040114162918
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000935226-04-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040114

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AOKI KEVIN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001248648

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26396
		FILM NUMBER:		04525196

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8685 NW 53 TERRACE STE 201
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33166
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3055930770

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8685 NW 53 TERRACE STE 201
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33166
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>kevinaoki_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2004-01-14</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
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        <issuerName>BENIHANA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BNHN/BNHNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001248648</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AOKI KEVIN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8685 NW 53 TERRACE STE 201</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33166</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>Vice President of Marketing</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
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      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-07-02</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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      <securityTitle>
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         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
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         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>12.82</value>
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         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
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      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>170700</value>
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      <ownershipNature>
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   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
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      <transactionDate>
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      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>3200</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
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         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
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         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
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         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>12.70</value>
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         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
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         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <value>I</value>
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         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2004-01-14</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>1000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>12.55</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>153124</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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      <ownershipNature>
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         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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         <underlyingSecurityShares>
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      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> Owned by Benihana of Tokyo, Inc. which is wholly owned by a trust of which Kevin Aoki is a trustee and beneficiary.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> Two-thirds currently exercisable; one-third exercisable 6/7/04.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F3"> Transaction previously reported.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Kevin Aoki</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2004-01-14</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
