One of the main objectives of this short trip was to eat Kobe Beef.  This beef is not exported, it’s not allowed to leave Japan, and is supposed to be one of the finest in the world if you get the highest grade.

Now, we weren’t looking for the highest grade, but we also didn’t want the lowest grade.  So on the recommendation of my friend Jun Yoshino, he recommend Steakland in Kobe for lunch.  He said that they had a Kobe Beef lunch set for under 3000 Yen.

We were a little hesitant to travel all the way to Kobe just for lunch, but after all of our options were exhausted for Kobe Beef, and our unwillingness to pay 13,000 Yen for a dinner, we decided to go to Kobe via the JR Special Rapid Service, which would get us to Kobe in 20 minutes from JR Osaka Station.

A well worth it traveling 20 minutes I must say.

We took the train to Sannomiya station, which put us just a five minute walk from Steakland.  We walked down the street and there it was in front of us, and my mouth started to water.  Unfortunately we got there at 10:20am and the place does not open until 11:00am.  So we walked around and waited. When we came back around 10:45am, there was already a queue, but in a matter of five minutes, we were all seated in.

It is rather small inside, one counter seats about 13 people, while the other square section seats about 14.  So only about 27 at one time.  The decor is rather European, and it was cozy, but we couldn’t wait.

They come up to you and ask you what you want to order.  There are only five selections for lunch, Small or Large Tenderloin, Small or Large Sirloin, or the Kobe Beef Sirloin.  The Kobe Beef Sirloin was the most expensive at 2,980 Yen per person.  So that’s what we went with.  After all, we’re here for Kobe Beef!  Now, notice that first four selection are NOT Kobe Beef.

Here is what one serving of the Kobe Beef Set is, the photo is actually of my neighbor’s set 🙂

The set comes with miso soup, rice, vegetables and your beef.

As soon as you order, things start coming to you.  You get the sauces for dipping, pickles, your utensils, water and the salad.

Then the fun starts as you sit by at the teppanyaki bar and watch them cook!

Here is our chef for the day!

A look to the left and the chefs are busy serving their customers, each chef gets a station of 2-4 persons only, so the attention and turnover is fast!

And a look to the right.  You will notice the uncle eyeing the steak already on our neighbor’s plate.  You will also notice the huge mound of fried garlic chips already on the teppanyaki grill. These are already deep fried and put on the counter for later use.

And now, a look at the whole grill!

It’s our turn to get our steak cooked!  The first thing the chef does is take some garlic chips and fry them on the grill with some butter.

When he gets them nice and crunchy again, he starts with the beef.  Here is our portion!

After asking you how you like your beef done, it’s onto the grill!  You can see the exquisite marbling of the fat on the beef, man, it’s mouthwatering!  I was told that this was A5 grade Kobe.  Who knows? We asked for Medium Rare.  I personally think anything more than that ruins the Waygu experience.

As one side sears, the chef adds salt and pepper.

Then after the quick sear, he flips to sear the other side.

Now it’s onto cutting it into bite size pieces for you. and to help sear the other sides.

Just look how beautiful that looks!

There is a river of saliva running out of my mouth right now, especially after seeing this.  流口水….. I want to eat now!

Yum, yum, yum!

A quick sear on the sides and then the chef plates for you.

He adds on the garlic chips for you, as your eating experience is to take one garlic chip, one piece of beef, dip into the sauce and then eat.  As we let our beef rest, he cooks the veggies.

Hurry, hurry!  Hungry!

And then, our compete meal! It took all of my willpower not to start eating without taking the photo!

The star of the show!  Look at the fat marbled on the beef.  Yum, yum, yum!

After this, it was too busy eating for the photos.  I can tell you that the beef just melted in your mouth.  The juices on the rice, and then the sauce and chips, oh my, heaven.  Truly one of the greatest eating experiences I have ever had in my life.

And you finish off with your choice of coffee, tea or orange juice.  Ice Kohi for me please.

Scratch one item off my food bucket list, Kobe Beef in Kobe.  A truly outstanding experience.  When I get back the Kansai region, you know that I will be here.  Without a doubt.