1970s; earliest use found in The Chicago Tribune. From Japanese robata-yaki from Japanese robata hearthside + yaki, nominalized stem of yaku to cook, roast.
Definition of robata-yaki in US English:
robata-yaki
(also robata yaki, robatayaki)
nounrə(ʊ)ˌbɑːtəˈjɑːki
Robata.
Origin
1970s; earliest use found in The Chicago Tribune. From Japanese robata-yaki from Japanese robata hearthside + yaki, nominalized stem of yaku to cook, roast.