Teppanyaki Restaurant “Kukai” in Sannomiya Celebrates 27 Years of Serving Kobe’s Specialties – Kobe Economic

　Teppan-yaki restaurant “Kukai” (2 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe; Tel: 078-321-1729 ) in Sannomiya celebrated its 27th anniversary on December 1.

Kukai’s original okonomiyaki.

　The owner, Kanta Ueki, quit his job after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and opened this restaurant. The restaurant has a floor space of 10 tsubo. It seats 10 at the teppan counter and 14 at tables, and can be rented out to a maximum of 25 people. The counter is made of stone, creating a relaxed Japanese-style atmosphere. Mr. Ueki chose the restaurant name combining the words “sky” and “sea” because he loves “nature,” and also because the name is “easy for customers to remember” as he was a famous monk in the early Heian period.

　For teppan cuisine, the restaurant is particular about meat, and purchases the highest grade (A4 to A5) of Tajima beef, which is the source of Kobe beef, every day. For flour-based dishes, the restaurant offers soba-meshi (buckwheat noodle soup) and okonomiyaki, both of which originated in Kobe. The original okonomiyaki is made with a blend of five types of flour and plenty of cabbage, and finished with an original sauce containing fruit.

　Popular menu items include “Kukai Original Okonomiyaki” (from 550 yen), “Kobe Famous Soba-meshi” (from 770 yen), “Teppan-yaki Seafood” (from 660 yen), and “Kobe Herre Steak” (from 2,800 yen for 100 grams). All items are available for takeout with an additional 100 yen for the box.

　Course menus include the “Manpuku Course (chef’s omakase teppanyaki, steak, okonomiyaki, soba-meshi, etc.)” (3,500 yen), which is served until full, and the “Kukai Mini Set (seafood or chicken thigh, steak, mini okonomiyaki)” (2,800 yen).

　Drinks include beer, sake (from 550 yen), chuhai (440 yen), shochu (440 yen), cocktails (from 660 yen), and soft drinks (from 220 yen).

　Mr. Ueki said, “During the past 27 years, we have had many difficult times due to circumstances in the world, such as mad cow disease, the recession, and the Corona disaster. I am grateful that we have been able to continue the business because of the help of everyone. As a way of returning the favor, we will continue to do our best to make our customers feel at ease when they visit our restaurant.

　Business hours are from 5:00 p.m. to 24:00 p.m.