Kobe Beef

When you want the best Kobe Beef you go to the source. Kobe, Japan. This isn’t American Wagyu. If you have never been to Kobe before and don’t know what Kobe Beef is, I’ve created a brief historical paragraph.

To be termed, “Kobe Beef” the cattle must be raised in particular region of Kobe. It is rumored that the cattle is raised drinking beer, brushed with sake, and massaged daily. This routine, coupled with the unique terrain produces a more marbled beef than the best beef in the US and Australia. There are breeds in both countries that are producing American and Australian Wagyu Beef that is supposedly close in taste.
In Kobe they have sectioned off a “Kobe Beef” district in Sannomiya. This is NOT the only place to get Kobe Beef, but there are specialty restaurants here just for Kobe Steak. However, it is served and sought after throughout Japan. Sannomiya is easily accessible via the JR line from Osaka.

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One item of note is there are several ways Kobe Beef is prepared and eaten. Kobe Beef can be cooked a variety of ways, but the top 3 are sukiyaki, shabu shabu, and teppanyaki. I had Kobe Beef teppanyaki style.

When the steak if cooked teppanyaki style, its cooked over a charcoal grill where the meat is seared on all sides similar to the way seared tuna is cooked.

I elected to eat at an A-1. If you are facing this torii gate (Ikuta Shrine), then an A-1 (that only accepts cash) is directly to your left. It is also shown on the map if you click the link at the top left of this page. A Tokyu Hands store is also right here on the opposite side of the street.

A-1 is a Kobe beef franchise, if you could call it that. There are several A-1′s in the Sannomiya district and some allow credit cards and some don’t so just look for the credit card sign in the window. The Japanese are excellent about keeping up with these sort of things. You may have to walk around for a few blocks, but there are 3 in very close proximity if you want to use your credit card. If you don’t choose A-1 there are a lot of other choices that are probably just as good. Here is a review of an A-1 on Bento.

The prices vary and in this picture you can see how pricey this meal can be. I have yet to taste anything quite like the steak served here anywhere in the US. It was worth every penny.

A side note about me. I’ve eaten at many great steak houses in the United States. None of these even compare to the steak served at A-1 in Kobe. Its not even close.