🍖Where to Eat Kobe Beef in Japan: TOP Teppanyaki Kobe Beef Restaurant in Kobe
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Where to Eat Kobe Beef in Japan:
TOP Kobe Beef Restaurant in Kobe
Bifteck Kawamura
(神戸ビーフビフテキのカワムラ)
What's the one thing most people want to try when they come to Japan?
KOBE BEEF!!
that marbling though….
(⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡
Recently we saw on TV a countdown of the most foreign tourists' most popular things to eat in Japan. Ramen taking the gold for being number one (no surprise), and of course, sushi and tonkatsu being in the top 10. Something we didn't expect to be so high up there was Kobe beef! Kobe beef is of course delicious, but it was interesting to hear how so many foreign tourists eat it when there are so many Japanese people that never have.
So since we found out how desirable Kobe beef is, we decided to stop by one of Kobe's most popular Kobe beef specialty restaurants to see HOW good Kobe beef really is.
Bifteck Kawamura
Kobe Beef Teppanyaki Restaurant
Bifteck Kawamura
Around Sannomiya Station is known as the shopping district of the Kobe area, so you're sure to see lots of stores and restaurants lined up.
The restaurant we decided to go to was Bifteck Kawamura, which is about a 2 minute walk from the North Exit of Sannomiya Station.
🍖Bifteck Kawamura
(神戸ビーフビフテキのカワムラ)
Sannomiya Flagship Restaurant
🏢4-5-13 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Google Maps
⏰11:30 to 15:00 / 17:00 to 22:30 (Last order 21:30)
📞078-335-0399
Closed: occasional Mondays
💳Cards accepted: VISA, JCB, AMEX, Diners
Official website (ENG)
Different from the Teppanyaki You See at Home
Teppanyaki Kobe Beef
Teppanyaki restaurants are all over the world, but their main popularity besides the delicious food is the exciting show that is put on in front of you.
The same idea applies here, however it is seen less as a show and more as an art.
Everything is so high class and beautifully set up that you almost get the feeling instantly that the chefs here take Kobe beef and cooking it seriously.
Known for Using the Highest Grade of Kobe Beef
The qualifications of being Kobe beef is surprisingly high. It all starts with tajima-gyu, or Japanese black cows which is one of the four Japanese breeds known as wagyu. From there the raising process requires a lot of attention to create a stress-free, relaxing environment. Then the grading of the cow depends on the yield and meat quality scores, but only cows having a marbling index of No.6 or higher, passed weight limitation, has a fine meat texture, and a few other criteria are officially certified as Kobe beef.
◉Yield score:
3 grades depending on the amount or percentage of edible cuts
that can be gained from a single head of cattle
◉Meat quality score:
Overall score based on the degree of marbling,
firmness and texture, color, quality, etc.
*It is also said that females are the most delicious,
so they are the ones most desired.
There are only a few hundred winning numbers of Kobe beef cows a year. For example, there was once only around 425. So you can imagine how expensive a single cow would be! Among that bunch, Kawamura bought 148 of them, making it a purchase that stands out in the Kobe beef specialty stores nationwide.
"Melts in Your Mouth"
Doesn't Do Enough Justice!
Supporting Menu
We were impressed to see that Kawamura doesn't just serve Kobe beef teppanyaki,
but a course menu of Kobe beef served in different ways.
Really showing off the idea that they are Kobe beef specialists.
This trip we ordered the course menu that was said to be the best course
to enjoy Kobe beef dishes evenly,
Special Japanese Black Cattle Beef Steak Course.
Japanese black beef roast beef
Oxtail soup
Salad with their own original dressing (a mixture of acidic apple sauce and specialized mayonnaise).
Garlic and Veggies
When you are finished eating the appetizers, the chef adds oil to the iron plate grill and begins with the garlic. NEVER in our lives have we seen garlic grilled with SUCH care! Even if you aren't a fan of garlic it's fun to watch.
From there he moved on to the onions (from Awaji Island in Hyogo), eggplant, squash, red peppers, beans (pretty sure lima?), and yams.
…Bread?
Next were slices of bread which really confused us. So first it's best to mention that there are no plates, once everything is finished being grilled, the chef puts everything on a sheet of aluminum foil on top of the grill in front of you (there's a picture below where you'll see what we mean).
It was explained to us that if you place meat on the bread, it is said that the meat won't burn or cool down while you eat it. Some people eat bread though because it's like toast and has some of the juices of the steak.
★Special Japanese Black Cattle Beef Steak Course
– 100g course 6,800 yen
– 140g course 8,800 yen
– 180g course 10,800 yen
Where's the Beef?!
Of course, you can have it grilled to your liking,
but the chefs recommended medium rare for the best flavor and texture.
2 Different Sauces, 1 Salt
When the vegetables and steak are cooked, they are set just like the picture above. There are 3 seasonings/sauces for you to try the steak with; a lightly spiced white miso base sauce, rock salt from the Himalayas, and garlic sauce soy sauce.
It's recommended that you try the salt first.
Which is great because really we fully recommend the salt over all!
*Your meal also comes with either a side of bread or rice.
This Has Nothing to Do with Kobe Beef
Once you finish eating the course comes with a dessert offering 3 dishes and a cup of tea or coffee
(hot or cold) to go with your dessert:
・Crème brûlée
・Cassis (blackcurrant) sherbert
・Matcha mousse
It was all SO delicious!!!
Who Knew It Would Be THIS GOOD!?
Is Kobe beef also on your things to try when coming to Japan?
We wanna hear about it in the comment box below!
✧˖°Share your stories with us°˖✧
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Details
NAME:Bifteck Kawamura (神戸ビーフビフテキのカワムラ)
MAP
4-5-13 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
B1F URBAN STYLE ROPPONGI 4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
GINZA MST Building 8th Floor 6-5-1 Ginza Chuou-ku Tokyo
Moonlight Building I 6th Floor 1-10-6 Kitanagasadori, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
1524 Arise Ikawadani-town Nishi-ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
4-15-5 KamiOichi, Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture
1-8 Miyake Shikama-ward, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture
175-1 Noguchi Noguchi-town, Kakogawa, Hyogo Prefecture
ACCESS:Sannomiya
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OSAKA
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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