Kobe is known all over the world for being the area where the most exclusive beef on the planet is produced.
It should not come as a surprise to anyone that there is an abundance of opportunities to sample Kobe beef in Kobe.
The reason why this meat is so famous is thanks to the tenderness, flavor, and the well-marbled texture that contains a fairly high amount of fat.
Here are six of the best in Kobe.
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Kobe Beef
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02
What is Kobe Beef ?
Kobe Beef
So what exactly is “Kobe beef” in the first place?
It commonly refers to a certain strain of the
Wagyu cattle raised in the Hyogo prefecture of which Kobe is the capital city, and raised according to certain rules set out by the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association.
However, Japanese cuisine was not an early adopter of meat. Traditionally, fish and tofu were the main sources of protein for the Japanese people. Cattle have been bred since the second century, but primarily for use as work animals, and limited meat consumption has been around since then but it was not until after the end of World War 2 that it started appearing more frequently on Japanese dinner tables. Kobe quickly became known throughout the country thanks to the high quality, and in the 1980s a push was made to expand the global reach of the brand. It took until 2012 until genuine Kobe beef actually started to appear outside of Japan, as no beef produced prior to this was actually exported. -
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Grill Kisho (Kobe beef steaks)
Grill Kisho
For budget minded visitors who want a sample of genuine Kobe beef, Grill Kisho is worth a visit.
During lunch time they offer a limited number of Kobe beef steaks for as little as 2,200 yen, which includes rice, salad and a coffee. They also serve some alternative dishes where the same meat is used, but in slightly different variations, such as Kobe beef stew or Kobe beef hamburg steak. -
04
WANTO BURGER (Hamburger)
WANTO BURGER
There is also the option of having a proper American hamburger, in an American diner setting nonetheless, made out of Kobe beef at WANTO BURGER.
This restaurant serves awesome hamburgers made out of genuine Kobe beef for about 2300 yen.
If you really feel like you want to splurge, you can upgrade from a beef patty to a proper slice of steak for an extra 1,500 yen.- WANTO BURGER
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4.0
65 Reviews -
- Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Chuou-ku Shimoyamatedori 3-10-6 Fukuyasu Building 1F
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- 0783925177
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- [Monday-Saturday] 12:00-21:0…
View AllKobe Tor Road Hotel Sanraku
3-1-19, Nakayamatedori, Chuo-ku Kobe Hyogo
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05
Hiroshige (Kobe beef bowl)
Kobe beef bowl
Hiroshige
With fans around the world, don't miss out on the beef bowl featuring the famous Kobe beef.
With the menu limited to just the beef bowl, the price varies depending on the size.
Make sure to get there early, as the shop closes as soon as they run out. Hiroshige is a ten-minute walk from Sannomiya Station.
If you like the beef bowl served at the chain restaurants like Yoshinoya, Matsuya, and Sukiya, you deserve to treat yourself to the best!- Kobe Gyudon Hiroshige
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4.0
30 Reviews -
- Hyogo Kobe-shi Chuo-ku Naka Yamate Dori 1-22-21 Maekawa Building 1F
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- 0782226611
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06
Steakland Kobe-kan (Reasonable Kobe beef steaks)
Reasonable Kobe beef steaks
Steakland Kobe-kan has amazing value steaks ranging in price from 1,080 yen. Even though the price is very reasonable, the steak is cooked in front of you by a chef on a teppan iron plate.
Cooked with garlic chips, the steak comes with salad, rice, miso soup, and a drink. If you feel like tucking into a Kobe wagyu steak, you can pick one up for 3,180 yen.Steakland Kobe-kan
- Steak Land Kobekan
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4.0
310 Reviews -
- Hyogo Kobe-shi Chuo-ku Kitanagasa-dori 1-9-17 Sannomiya Kogyo Building 6F
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- 0783322900
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- 11:00-14:00/17:00-22:00
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07
Wakkoqu (Kobe beef steaks)
Wakkoqu
If you want a more traditional Kobe Beef meal and have a budget that allows for it, make sure to check out Wakkoqu, one of the most prominent establishments serving Kobe beef in Kobe.
Their lunch will set you back between 4,000-6,000 yen, and at dinnertime course meals are available from 12,000 yen.
Reservations are available through their English language website.- 神戸牛ステーキ あぶり肉工房 和黒 新神戸店
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- 兵庫県神戸市中央区北野町1-1 新神戸オリエンタルアベニュー3F
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- 0782622838
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Kobe beef KISSHOKICHI (Slices of Kobe beef)
Kobe beef KISSHOKICHI
Another budget option is heading to the street vendors around Chinatown who offer small slices of Kobe beef, grilled on the spot right in front of your eyes for around 1,000 yen apiece.
The slices are fairly small though, and eating the equivalent of a whole steak would get quite pricey.
However, if you just want a bite to see what all the fuss is about, it’s a decent option.- KISSHOKICHI Nankin-Machi Branch
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3.5
19 Reviews -
- Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Chuou-ku Motomachidori 2-1-14
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- 0783922944
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- 10:30-21:00(L.O.20:30)
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