<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001265915-04-000006
<TYPE>4
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20041008
<FILING-DATE>20041013
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20041013
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>BENIHANA INC
<CIK>0000935226
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5812
<IRS-NUMBER>650538630
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0328
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>8685 NW 53RD TERRACE
<CITY>MIAMI
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>33166
<PHONE>3055930770
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>8685 NW 53RD TERRACE
<CITY>MIAMI
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>33166
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>BENIHANA PROTECTIVE TRUST UA 6 8 98
<CIK>0001265987
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-26396
<FILM-NUMBER>041076392
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O BENIHANA OF TOKYO, INC.
<STREET2>232 EAST 63RD STREET
<CITY>NEW YORK
<STATE>NY
<ZIP>10021
<PHONE>305 789-7639
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP, RODNEY BELL
<STREET2>701 BRICKELL AVE, SUITE 3000
<CITY>MIAMI
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>33131
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>BENIHANA OF TOKYO INC
<CIK>0001265915
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>NY
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0331
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-26396
<FILM-NUMBER>041076393
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>232 EAST 63RD STREET
<CITY>NEW YORK
<STATE>NY
<ZIP>10021
<PHONE>305 789-7639
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O HOLLAND & KNIGHT, LLP, RODNEY BELL
<STREET2>701 BRICKELL AVE, SUITE 3000
<CITY>MIAMI
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>33131
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

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        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001265915</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BENIHANA OF TOKYO INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O HOLLAND &amp; KNIGHT, LLP, RODNEY BELL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>701 BRICKELL AVE, SUITE 3000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33131</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001265987</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BENIHANA PROTECTIVE TRUST UA 6 8 98</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O HOLLAND &amp; KNIGHT LLP, RODNEY BELL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>701 BRICKELL AVE, SUITE 3000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33131</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.24</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-11</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.25</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-11</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>800</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.26</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-11</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1300</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.27</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-11</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.29</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                <value></value>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.35</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Benihana Protective Trust U/A June 8, 1998 (the &quot;Trust&quot;) owns all the issued and outstanding shares of Benihana of Tokyo, Inc., and therefore is an indirect beneficial owner of the shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kana Aoki Nootenboom, its Vice President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kana Aoki Nootenboom, as Trustee</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
