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.

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)

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. 

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.

Japanese black beef roast beef

Oxtail soup

Salad with their own original dressing (a mixture of acidic apple sauce and specialized mayonnaise).

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.

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

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.

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°˖✧

For more interesting topics,
Be sure to look at JAPANKURU🐶 for more exciting articles every day!!

Or add us on Google+, Instagram, Facebook to share your Japanese pictures💖🗾​