Savor Kobe Beef At Misono, The Originators Of Teppanyaki!

What is Real Kobe Beef?

Japan has over 320 brands of cattle, which is to say that there are just as many beef brands. Among those brands, Tajima beef from Hyogo prefecture is regarded as top class. Within the Tajima beef brand, young bulls or cows which have not yet given birth, and which fulfill strict conditions, are given the designation of Kobe beef.

Kobe beef is incredibly rare, and only up to 5000 cows are shipped a year, representing a mere 0.16% of Japan’s total beef consumption and distribution. While that rarity is reflected in the price, it has even been requested by certain former American presidents visiting Japan. The experience of tasting Kobe beef is something that you can’t trade for anything.

As a registered Japanese farm product, Kobe beef is tagged with a 10-digit certification number, as seen in the picture. For more about Kobe beef, check out this page.

Lunch Courses of Delicious Beef

Let’s take a look at Misono’s masterpiece, the specially-selected Kobe beef lunch course, starting with the five varieties of grilled vegetables and salad.

Next is the Kobe beef sirloin. You can choose how you want it cooked (the photo is a two-person serving).

The seasoning includes crispy fried garlic. If you don’t like it or can’t eat it for religious reasons, tell the staff beforehand.

When it comes off the grill, the finished steak is so meltingly soft it’s almost hard to believe that it’s meat.

The price is 19,440 yen (including tax). The special lunch, where the Misono specially-selected Wagyu beef takes the place of Kobe beef, is 10,800 yen (including tax).

The steak course includes white rice, miso soup and tsukemono pickles. The rice goes incredibly well with the beef. You can get unlimited rice refills, so eat as much as you like.

The meal will close with a dessert and a coffee demitasse.

Talking with the Chef is Part of the Feast

Eating near the person who cooks your food is part of the appeal of teppanyaki. You can ask about the ingredients and particular cooking methods at Misono.

Mr. Ando, the chef who cooked for us when we went, told us about some of the unique conversations he’d had with customers. “Some customers have thought that I actually served them tofu because the beef was so soft.” “A Thai customer brought their homemade seasoning to the restaurant.” “A few people heard that Tajima cattle receive massages while listening to jazz as they’re fattened up, and observed that cows lived better than they did.” All of the staff, including the chefs, place a premium on communication with customers, which is one of the restaurant’s charms.

Enjoy the Scenery from the Window!

You can enjoy the scenery of Kobe’s shopping district from the window. You can even see the Kobe Port Tower from far away!

The restaurant is on the corner of Ikuta Road. The area is lined with eating establishments, and is lively even at night, so when you’re enjoying your dinner...

You can gaze out at the Kobe night scenery!

A Message from the Staff

This time we went to the restaurant with a Hungarian exchange student named Evelyn. As she studies Japanese culture and society, her Japanese is quite good. She said that when she first sampled the Kobe beef, “I was shocked at how soft and delicious it was. I want to come here again to eat it.”

We received a message from the staff, who said, “We want many visitors from within Japan and overseas to come and experience the savory deliciousness of Kobe beef for themselves. We’re waiting for your visit.” Misono has other branches in addition to its main Kobe branch, listed here, so check them out as well.

The rare beef alone will make the meal quite pricey, but being able to have the experience of eating Kobe beef will become an unforgettable memory of your time in Japan.

The Original Teppanyaki Steak Misono Kobe Main Branch

650-0011 Hyogo Prefecture Kobe City Chuo Ward Shimoyamatedori 1-1-2 Mi...

Located slightly south of Ikuta Shrine, the original teppanyaki steak restaurant Misono offers dinner while taking in the night view of downtown Kobe.