Kobe beef is renowned across the world for its rich umami flavor and melt-in-the-mouth tenderness. So when in Kobe, it makes sense to treat yourself to a meal of exquisite Kobe beef steak and experience for yourself a flavor that some have described as revelatory. In this article we will introduce nine of Kobe’s most popular Kobe beef steak specialty restaurants. But first — what exactly is Kobe beef?
Kobe beef is a type of high-grade wagyu beef, which is known for its fine marbling, soft texture and delicious flavor. All Kobe beef comes from Tajima black cattle that have been raised in Hyogo Prefecture. The name Kobe beef is actually a trademark given to only the highest quality beef, which is selected according to very strict standards such as how much lean meat and marbling it has. As only a relatively small number of cattle can qualify as Kobe beef, and because of its reputation for high-quality, Kobe beef is a little bit expensive, but because of its delicious flavor, it is well worth the cost!
The nine restaurants listed below specialize in teppanyaki-style dining where guests sit at a counter before a chef who cooks up their meal on a steel hotplate — although some restaurants also have the option for individual table seating. These restaurants can also all be easily accessed from the main railway stations in Kobe’s central Sannomiya and Motomachi areas.
All of these restaurants are extremely popular, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation in advance!
Bifteck Kawamura Sannomiya Honten
First established in 1972, Bifteck Kawamura prides itself on serving the highest quality beef steak, which is grilled teppanyaki-style on a hot steel plate. Open for lunch and dinner, this restaurant has a variety of courses and a la carte options. Some grilled seafood items are also available.
The entrance to Bifteck Kawamura Sannomiya Honten
A standard course will include steak, grilled vegetables, salad, your choice of bread or rice, dessert, and your choice of tea or coffee. To accompany your meal, there are a variety of wines and other alcoholic beverages to choose from, as well as soft drinks. Bifteck Kawamura has two branches in Kobe, but the main branch in Sannomiya is the most easily accessible.
Reservations can be made online via the restaurant’s English website.
Location: Bifteck Kawamura Sannomiya Honten is a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station, a 5-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station and Sannomiya Subway Station, and a 7-minute walk from Hanshin Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Here is a map showing the restaurant’s location.
Tel: 078-335-0399
Open: 11.30 –14.30 (Last orders) 17.00 – 21.00 (Last orders)
Closed on some Mondays.
Wakkoqu Kitanozaka
Wakkoqu Kitanozaka is another teppanyaki-style restaurant where each dish is prepared in front of you and the grilling of the meat is considered an art. Open for lunch and dinner, this restaurant serves high grade Kobe beef with a special black sauce made to a secret recipe. Also on the menu are a variety of other grilled delicacies such as abalone, seasonal seafood, and fresh vegetables.
Wakkoqu has two branches, one of which is closer to Shin-Kobe Station — Kobe’s Shinkansen terminal. The Kitanozaka branch is located in the Kitano area, which is famous for its historic Western residences and is a pleasant strolling-distance from Sannomiya.
Reservations can be made online via the restaurant’s English website.
The entrance to Wakkoqu Kitanozaka
Location: Wakkoqu Kitanozaka is located next to the Basin Street live jazz bar in the Kitano district, which lies to the north of Sannomiya. It is a 10-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station and a 12-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station. Here is a map showing the restaurant’s location.
Tel: 078-222-0678
Open everyday: 12.00 – 22.00 (Last orders: 21.00)
Steakhouse Kokubu
Open only for dinner, Kokubu is a friendly and cozy teppanyaki restaurant, which is famous for its tender cubes of grilled Kobe beef, served up with assorted vegetables, garlic rice and your choice of fine wine. Here you can expect a simple dinner from a master grill-chef with a keen focus on the beef’s exquisite flavor.
The entrance to Steakhouse Kokubu
Steakhouse Kokubu only serves customers who have made a reservation in advance and reservations must be made by telephone. However, this restaurant does have some English-speaking staff.
Location: Steakhouse Kokubu is located on the second floor of the Takai Building, which is a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station, a 5-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station and Sannomiya Subway Station, and 7 minutes from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Here is a map showing the restaurant’s location.
Tel: 078-321-1717
Open: 17.00 – 22.00 (Last orders: 20.30)
Closed: Sundays
Kobe Ishidaya Honten
Kobe Ishidaya Honten is another teppanyaki restaurant located on the floor above Steakhouse Kokubu inside the Takai Building. Open for lunch and dinner, this restaurant also serves Kobe beef cooked to perfection before your eyes, but has a more luxurious atmosphere and a more varied menu, with a greater variety of course options. Table seating is also available for a yakiniku barbecue option.
Reservations can be made online via the restaurant’s English website
Steakhouse Kokubu and Kobe Ishida Honten are both located in the Taikai Building
Location: Kobe Ishidaya Honten is located on the third floor of the Takai Building, which is a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station, a 5-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station and Sannomiya Subway Station, and 7 minutes from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station.
The entrance to Kobe Ishida Honten
Here is a map showing the restaurant’s location.
Tel: 078-599-7779
Open: 11.30 – 15.00 (Last orders: 14.00) 17.00 – 21.30 (Last orders: 20.30)
Closed: Tuesdays
Misono Kobe Honten
This is where it all began! Established in 1945, Misono is famous as the restaurant that invented teppanyaki-style cooking. Open for lunch and dinner, here professional chefs serve up the best succulent beef steaks before your eyes with seasonal vegetables and seafood. A fine selection of wine, beer, sake and shochu is available to accompany your meal. Long popular both with locals and visitors from overseas, this restaurant has room for individual diners, small groups and large parties. Misono now also serves halal Kobe beef.
Reservations can be made by telephone or by the restaurant’s Japanese website.
Location: Misono is located on the 7th and 8th floors of the Misono Building. It is a 7-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station and Sannomiya Subway Station, 3 minutes from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station, and 11 minutes from Hanshin Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Here is a map showing the restaurant’s location.
Misono is located on the top two floors of the Misono Building
Tel: 078-331-2890
Open: 11.30 – 14.30 (Last orders: 13.30) 17.00 – 22.00 (Last orders: 21.00)
Kobe Beef Steak Restaurant Mouriya Honten
Established in 1885, Mouriya has five branches in the Sannomiya area, but Mouriya Honten is where the chain got its start. Open for lunch and dinner, the course menu includes your choice from a variety of steaks, which will be cooked on a teppanyaki grill. A lunchtime course, for example, will consist of steak served with soup, salad, grilled vegetables, bread or rice, and coffee or tea. The a la carte menu has some seafood options that include lobster, abalone and scallops.
Special courses can also be prepared for special occasions such as anniversaries. With its wood and stone interior this restaurant has a rather dignified atmosphere fitting its age, and so the dress code for this restaurant is smart casual.
Reservations can be made online via the restaurant’s English website.
The entrance to Mouriya Honten
Location: Mouriya Honten is a 6-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station and Sannomiya Subway Station, a 2-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station and 10 minutes from Hanshin Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Here is a map showing the restaurant’s location.
Tel: 078-391-4603
Open: 11.00 – 22.00（Last orders: 21.00）
Closed on some Wednesdays.
Tor Road Steak Aoyama
Established in 1963, Steak Aoyama serves a variety of teppanyaki courses that include Kobe beef served with the restaurant’s signature ponzu sauce. Courses typically include appetizers, potage soup, salad, bread or rice, homemade dessert and coffee or tea. A range of fine wines is available to accompany your meal.
Open for lunch and dinner, Steak Aoyama has different seating options such as table or counter seating, and welcomes individual diners, small groups and private parties.
This restaurant takes reservations by telephone.
The entrance to Tor Road Steak Aoyama
Location: Tor Road Steak Aoyama is a 7-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station, and 7 minutes from Motomachi Station on the Hanshin Main Line and JR Kobe Line. Here is a map
Tel: 078-391-4858
Open: 12.00 – 21.00 (Last orders for lunch: 14.30, Last orders for dinner: 21.00)
Closed on Wednesdays (If Wednesday is a public holiday it is closed on Thursday instead)
Kobe Steak Sai-Dining
Open for lunch and dinner, this restaurant offers several different cuts of fine Kobe beef from which you can take your pick and then watch as a teppanyaki chef grills it for you.
A typical dinner course includes appetizers, potage soup, salad, grilled vegetables, rice or bread, dessert, and coffee or tea. The a la carte menu also includes prawns, scallops and lobster. A variety of wines that pair well with meat and seafood are available, including red wine, white wine and champagne.
Reservations can be made online via the restaurant’s English website.
The entrance to Kobe Steak Sai-Dining
Location: Kobe Steak Sai-Dining is a 7-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station and 5 minutes from Motomachi Station on the Hanshin Main Line and JR Kobe Line. Here is a map showing the restaurant’s location.
Tel: 078-331-5638
Open: 11.30 –15.00 (Last entry: 14.00) 17.00 – 23.00 (Last entry: 21.00)
Closed only on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Meriken Hatoba
Meriken Hatoba is a super-friendly teppanyaki restaurant serving a selection of high-quality Kobe beef steaks with some unusual side dishes such as Mexican-style tacos, Okinawan-style taco rice, and Chinese soup!
On the drinks menu you can find locally produced wine, local sake, and a selection of aged Japanese whiskies. Open only for dinner, this restaurant is also notable for its relatively reasonable prices.
Reservations can be made online via the restaurant’s English website.
The entrance to Meriken Hatoba
Location: Meriken Hatoba is located inside Kobe Chinatown. It is a 5-minute walk from Motomachi Station on the Hanshin Main Line and JR Kobe Line, and 10 minutes from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Here is a map showing the restaurant’s location.
Tel: 078-392-1369
Open: 11.00 – 15.00 (Last orders: 14:00) 17.30 – 21.00 (Last orders: 20.00)
Closed on Mondays and the first and third Tuesday of the month.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
