Kobe steals the show with teppan-style dining, sushi

For more than four decades, Kobe Japanese Steak House in Waikiki has been a local favorite for special occasions or simply a nice evening out with family, friends or a special someone.

Well, I’ve just found another reason for you to head to Kobe. The restaurant currently is running a Hot Deals Hawaii promotion, where you can get a $50 dining voucher for just $30. The offer ends at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 24, and the voucher is valid from Sept. 25, 2014 to Sept. 30, 2015. Visit hotdealshawaii.com for more details.

Known for its teppanyaki-style cuisine, Kobe’s highly-skilled and talented teppan chefs prepare and cook your food right in front of you. Each chef also has their own set of tricks for slicing, dicing and grilling, so be ready for a culinary show that is sure to be memorable.

“With the teppan concept, the food is brought out to you and you can see the freshness in everything,” says owner and general manager Roy Nakamura. “Also, each teppan house is defined by its sauces, and we have two excellent original house sauces — a creamy mustard for steaks and a ginger sauce for seafood, but you can use them for anything.”

As for the most popular dinner item, it’s Steak and Shrimp ($38.95), featuring a five-ounce Choice Sirloin Steak and six pieces of shrimp grilled in butter and seasoning. Also popular, especially with locals, is Rib Eye Steak ($37.95), a 10-ounce cut grilled on the teppan to your liking.

All dinners are served as a complete meal, which includes a teppan shrimp appetizer, shabu shabu (clear broth) soup, teppan vegetables (zucchini, onions and mushrooms), white rice and hot green tea.

Kobe also offers a great sushi menu available at its sushi bar, lounge and dining room. The best seller is Sixty-Nine Roll ($18), a California roll with unagi that’s doused with a delicious sauce.

“We were one of the first teppan houses to open in Hawaii,” notes Nakamura. “We’ve had generations of families come in. The people who were young couples once, now are grandparents, and they’re bringing in their third generation of family for birthdays and anniversaries. It’s pretty neat to watch the whole family growing together, and we’ve gotten to know them.”

Kobe Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

1841 Ala Moana Blvd.
941-4444
Daily, 5-10 p.m. Lounge open from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
kobewaikiki.com