Kobe Steak House near Yokota Air Base, Japan, is known for its top-quality Kuroge Wagyu, beef from Japan’s world-renowned Black cattle. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Though my family normally maintains a plant-based diet, the opportunity to deviate recently at an exceptional steakhouse a stone’s throw from Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo was too tempting to resist.
Kobe Steak House is a small but interesting place to fulfill your urge for quality steak. The restaurant was established in 1972 and is known for its top-quality Kuroge Wagyu, beef from Japan’s world-renown Black cattle.
Although not full-time meat consumers, we venture out on occasion for a taste, and this place has been on my bucket list. My wife, our son and I visited with a friend for dinner on a recent Saturday.
Parking at this restaurant with a homey atmosphere is limited, though you should be able to walk there from Yokota’s main gate in less than 10 minutes. There is seating for approximately 30 people.
The menu has ample variety. I homed in first on drinks -- not the potent variety, although they are available. The full complement of non-alcoholic beverages, including soda floats, one of my favorites, caught my eye. I went for the grenadine, a pomegranate or often cherry-flavored soda topped off with vanilla ice cream.
Though we came only for the steak, handmade pizza is also on the menu. There is a long list of choices, from traditional pies to some featuring crab and tuna. Takeout is available for medium and large pies. Prices ranged from 2,200 yen to 3,500 yen, $17 to $27.
As for the main event, the menu’s rundown of steaks is extensive. We tried a couple of expertly cooked Kobe marbled sirloins and a tenderloin steak deluxe. It needed just a slight bit more cooking to reach medium-well, but our son enjoyed it nonetheless.
Our friend, who is a meat lover, fared well with the Kobe premium Chateaubriand, a sizeable portion of succulent beef for its price of 16,000 yen. She found it to be exceptional.
Each meal came with a side of vegetables, potatoes and a choice of rice or bread and salad. Other side orders included garlic bread and fries. We could tell that a skillful hand in the back took care with our orders.
We had an overall great dining experience during our visit to Kobe Steak House. The restaurant also serves a lunch special of soup, salad, rice or bread and a caffeine kick or ice cream. Call-in orders for pickup are OK.
Kobe Steak House
Location: 1115 Kumagawa, Fussa, Tokyo, 197-0003
Hours: Open daily, noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Prices: Expect to pay between 4,000 yen to 20,000 yen for most steaks. Credit cards accepted.
Dress: Casual
Directions: About an 8-minute walk from Yokota Air Base’s main gate.
Information: Online: kobesteakhouse.jp; Phone: 042-552-2941
