An izakaya is a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks, snacks, and dishes. Izakaya is ubiquitous in Japan. There are many kinds of izakaya—some look like bars, while others look more like restaurants. Furthermore, many izakaya open until late at night unlike normal restaurants and they offer alcoholic drinks. That’s why many business people or university students enjoy after finishing work or class. The cozy, warm atmosphere of Izakaya allows people to interact with each other, even if they haven’t met before. Kobe, the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture, has various izakaya that are beloved by the local people.
This izakaya, Takataya -Kyouten-, has been in business for about 90 years and is one of the oldest and most well-established in the Shinkaichi area, which is about a 10-minute ride from Sannomiya by Hanshin or Hankyu train. When you step inside, you will feel the traditional atmosphere of this restaurant just like in this photo.
The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including raw fish, snacks, fried foods, and rice dishes.
In particular, oden (a traditional Japanese one-pot dish) has been their signature dish and continues to be popular since the establishment first opened. This is the menu list of oden in this restaurants. There are boiled eggs, Japanese radish, potatoes, or octopus. All of their dishes are hearty and affordable, each dish made from scratch and maintaining the same flavor that has been preserved over the decades.
A popular local gyoza (Japanese dumplings) restaurant is located under the elevated railway tracks near a train station and is well-loved by Japanese businessmen.
They are known for only serving gyoza. You can dip the gyoza with miso sauce (soybean-based), a traditional way to enjoy gyoza in Kobe. Many locals love pairing gyoza with beer. Ordering this combination will surely immerse you in Kobe's local culture.
This beer restaurant is famous in the Hanshin area (Osaka and Kobe), where it offers its original beer, carefully crafted with attention to everything from the hops and water to the way it is poured.
One of the most popular items on the menu is the fried chicken. Its freshly fried, crispy texture and rich flavor are incredibly popular with people of all ages. There are also special sausages, which pair perfectly with beer, and Chinese dishes such as fried rice, seafood fried noodles, or snacks which are all menus that are perfect for sharing.
You can enjoy the authentic beer hall atmosphere with its brick walls, flags, and chandeliers.
Okonomiyaki Aomori
Take the JR line from Sannomiya for about 10 minutes to reach the Nagata area, known for its many Okonomiyaki and Yakisoba (fried noodles) restaurants.
This restaurant is the birthplace of “sobameshi,” a dish that mixes fried noodles, rice, and a sweet and savory sauce. It’s one of Kobe’s famous soul foods. The noodles and rice are chopped, making it easy to eat with a spoon. As the restaurant name implies, they also offer Okonomiyaki for you to enjoy.
The owner’s core belief is “not changing the traditional taste”. The cozy, small restaurant exudes a comforting warmth, and we encourage you to enjoy its inviting atmosphere.
By: Taishi Kawata (A student from Kobe University who is participating in a program where he works as an intern for 2 weeks and serve as an assistant Japanese teacher at a local Seattle high school for the next 2 weeks.)
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